A Good God Doing a Good Work

2 Corinthians 12.7-10
A Good God Doing a Good Work

A. THE SOVEREIGHTY OF GOD IN THE AFFLICTIONS OF MEN [7]

        1.  A THORN given

                    Paul's “thorn in the flesh” is, by its ve ry lack of definition,
                    a type of every Christian's “thorn in the flesh”  [Philip Hughes].

        2.  A thorn GIVEN

B. THE REALITY OF THE WORLD OF EVIL [7]

        1.  A messenger of Satan

        2.  Is this something we need to think about?

        3.  What should I do?

                    a.  Pray  [as Paul does here]
                    b.  Submit to God  [James 4.7-8]
                    c.  Resist the devil's suggestions  [1 Peter 5.6-9]
       

C. THE DYNAMICS OF UNASNWERED PRAYER [8-9]

        1.  Sometimes God delays an answer

        2.  Sometimes God says NO

        3.  Sometimes God says NO to give you a greater YES

                    We sometimes ask for silver,
                    but God wants to give us gold instead  [Martin Luther].

D. THE HIDEOUSNESS OF PRIDE [7]

        Pride is turning away from God specifically to take satisfaction in self.
        So pride is one specific form of unbelief  [John Piper].
       

E. THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD DISAPPOINTMENT [9-10]

        1.  Not resignation, but contentment

        2.  No t a stoic contentment, but glad contentment