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A Thorn and Glory

2 Corinthians 12:1-10


Introduction: The testimony of Paul about a thorn and glory


1. A thorn breaking self-worship

혻혻 1) The original sin of humankind was caused by self-worship
혻혻혻혻혻 - Self-idolization that Adam wanted to be like God (Ge 3:5, Ro 5:19)
혻혻 2) The descendents of Noah and the Tower of Babel
혻혻혻혻혻 (1) A tower that reaches to the heavens ??to be equal with God (Isa 14:14)
혻혻혻혻혻 (2) That we may make a name for ourselves - Idolization of humankind
혻혻혻혻혻 (3) To not be scattered over the face of the whole earth - rebellion
혻혻 3) All people are idolizing themselves consciously and unconsciously (Pr 15:25)
혻혻혻혻혻 - A thorn of hardship breaks the ego and stops self-idolization (2Co 12:10, Pr 18:12)


2. A thorn making us seek God

혻혻 1) Paul offered special prayer three times to overcome a thorn in his flesh혻(2Co 12:8)
혻혻 2) Look for God during a time of weakness혻(2Co 12:9)
혻혻혻혻혻 - The story of Watchman Nee (Ps 50:15, Jer 29:13)
혻혻 3) A hungry person looks for food


3. A thorn preventing us from boasting about the fruit of success

혻혻 1) A thorn of hardship always makes us perceive our helplessness (1Pe 1:24, Jas 4:14)
혻혻 2) A thorn of hardship always makes us gaze upon the hand of God (Ps 123:2, 121:1-2)
3) A thorn of hardship always makes us confess that we are the branches of the vine only
?€?€(Jn 15:5)
혻혻혻혻혻 - Fruit is the grace of a farmer and a tree


4. A thorn preventing us from sticking to the vainglory of the world

1) A thorn of hardship makes humankind perceive that they can surrender at any moment by reminding them of their weakness (1Co 15:10, 2Ti 6:7)
2) A thorn of hardship makes humankind not rely on earthly things by showing that their whole life could collapse in a moment (Ps 90:5, Ps 127:1)
?€?€3) A thorn of hardship makes humankind gaze upon the heaven of perfect salvation
?€?€?€?€(Ro 8:18, 2Co 4:17, Php 3:20)


Conclusion: A thorn of hardship is very uncomfortable and painful. However, we can give thanks and rejoice just like Paul, if we understand the real meaning of a thorn of hardship.