Let Me Boast a Little 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

What has been a point in your life, whether it was an hour or perhaps weeks or months, when you felt the tangible presence and blessing of God? Something undeniable, at least to you, because you were the one who was experiencing the Lord’s presence first hand. For me, as most of you know, it was the days leading up to my conversion and then the actual conversion itself when waves of the Lord’s love, power, grace and forgiveness poured over me - being filled so wonderfully with the Holy Spirit. I have had other seasons similar to that since, but nothing like that first infilling of God’s Spirit. It was overwhelming for me personally, back in March 1992. I have shared the story many times and, Lord willing, will continue to share it, but is that the thing that I should put my boasting or my trust in?

Paul, writing to the Corinthians, was trying to draw their attention to what were the most important things to focus on. He talked about bragging rights. Bragging or boasting was part of the culture in the church, but not in a healthy way. (2 Corinthians 11:18) He talked about the suffering he had experienced since being an apostle.

But he had spiritual-experience bragging rights. He said, “I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.”  (2 Corinthians 12:1, 2) - was in heaven itself. He spoke of himself in the third person. “I know a man …”. Why? Because he wanted to make a point about what true boasting, where true identity needs to rest.

The Corinthians exalted the “Super Apostles.” (2 Corinthians 11:5) He said, “I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.” Who were they? Peter, James and John – the super apostles – like the inner circle of apostles. They were considered the real deal, after Jesus. Paul didn’t even walk with Jesus or know Jesus. Could he even be considered an apostle at all? That’s why we have Paul speaking in the 3rd person the way he did about his experience of heaven 14 years earlier. Why?

Because these super Apostles had seen Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration – Jesus shone – he was glorified. Peter, James and John were witness to this event. Surely, these were the Apostles to follow. Paul talked about his own spiritual experiences.

Aside from Paul’s miraculous conversion, at that time or possibly very close after, he described another experience. “This man was caught up into paradise---whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows---and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.” (verses 3, 4) Paul could speak of his own conversation with the resurrected Jesus, but also a spiritual experience that he said either can’t be described or he wouldn’t describe – indescribable.

Paul has a message for you this morning with respect to a right perspective on spiritual experiences. I believe this is why he did not describe them further than he did, this being the first the church heard of it 14 years after it happened. They can be an incredible source of pride, and distraction of the experience is all that is relied upon.

Paul said the danger of spiritual boasting and pride in himself was so bad a demon was sent to afflict him – lest he become full of pride. (Verse 7) “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” Imagine this, if you can. What sort of demon was it? How did it afflict him? He had what seems to be an issue with his eyes from what he said to the Galatians. (Galatians 4:15) Was it a spirit of fear when he spoke? Was it doubt, did he struggle with anger? We are not told, but this spirit keeps him from pride.

It was such a burden to him that he prayed 3 times for it to go. The Lord said no. (verse 9) “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” He said the times he was weak, the times when he had needed help, the times when he was in danger of being beaten or robbed, or when he could have drowned – 3 nights in the open ocean, the time when people threw stones at him and left him for dead; he survived all of these. This is the testimony. God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

What’s your vulnerability? What’s the area where you haven’t got everything straight? You know you are not as healthy, not as good, not as smart, not as strong, not as rich, not as successful as other people and this occupies your mind.

Paul said this incredible thing which flies in the face of self-reliance and strength and doing things in our own ability: boast in your weakness. (verse 5) Think about that.

Boast in the fact that you are not as wealthy as you once were. Boast in the fact that you are older and the fact that your body isn’t is strong or as healthy as it used to be. Brag about the fact that you actually aren’t that bright, that heaps of others are smarter than you. Why should you boast about such things? Surely that is just folly.

NO! Paul said that’s when Jesus shows up. That’s when the Lord does a work in your life that is all of Him and nothing of yourself. It has to be Jesus, because you had no strength or ability in yourself. That’s his point.

God saved Paul from the 3 times he was shipwrecked. God rose him up alive when he was left for dead after being pelted with stones. God saved him from robbers countless times on his journey.

The facts are, we are invincible until the Lord says otherwise. Not that we tempt the Lord in our stupidity – that is not godly, that’s not Paul’s counsel.

Paul was saying when God ordains weakness, as a fragile clay pot that you are; He says, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” (verse 10) Christ gives you the strength and deliverance you need for this day. Rejoice in that.

Experiences didn’t save the super Apostles. Peter, one of the 3 who experienced Christ’s transfiguration: Paul left him for dead spiritually. Peter had to be checked theologically by Paul; Peter was being hypocritical and showing favouritism. Paul had to address it and confront it.

Paul suffered much for Christ and that’s why he was so greatly used. Most of the New Testament was written by Paul. In fact, Jesus told Ananias right after Paul got converted, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." (Acts 9:16)

Spiritual experiences come and go. They can be a wonderful testament to the Lord’s power and grace, but they don’t prove salvation. Many people in other faiths have spiritual experiences. Accepting the finished work of Christ saves. Heaven is the only experience worth seeking with your whole being.