1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,600 Second Corinthians chapter 12 verse 7 2 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:12,440 And I know and I'll read all the way to verse 10 unless I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations a 3 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:16,920 Thorn in the flesh was given to me a 4 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,240 messenger of 5 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:22,440 Satan 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,440 to Buffett me 7 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:30,160 Just pause there for a moment that that term a messenger of say, you know that the devil knows how to send a message 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:34,360 He's got messengers 9 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:43,320 And I'm not talking about like demons and ghosts and things like that. I'm talking about he's got messengers in life 10 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:51,600 Lest I be exalted above measure concerning this thing. I pleaded with the Lord three times 11 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:55,120 that it might depart from me and 12 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,400 He said to me my grace is 13 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:03,720 sufficient for you and 14 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:05,880 My strength is made 15 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:08,160 perfect in 16 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,200 weakness 17 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:17,440 Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me 18 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,000 Therefore I take 19 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Pleasure think of that I 20 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:27,440 Take pleasure in 21 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,120 infirmities in 22 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,880 reproaches in needs in 23 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,400 Persecutions in 24 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:43,480 Distresses for Christ's sake and watch this for when I am weak 25 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:47,800 Then I am strong I 26 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:50,400 Want to speak for a few moments today on 27 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:58,560 The power of weakness the power of weakness you may be seated in the presence of the Lord now 28 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,080 That title may sound like a contradiction 29 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,800 the power of 30 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,720 weakness because when we think about power and 31 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:14,680 Strength one of the first things that comes to mind maybe is a bodybuilder right or a tank 32 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,680 an 18 wheeler 33 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:22,560 When we think about strength some of the images that come to our mind are those strong 34 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,680 tough and sturdy things that that 35 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,200 project strength to us or we might think of a 36 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,080 governmental leader or a 37 00:02:34,640 --> 00:02:39,680 System that is reliable that is strong that is that is sturdy 38 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,080 When we think about strength those are 39 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,440 typically the the images that 40 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:51,840 that come to mind because that is what the world tells us is 41 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:56,720 What is strong that is what the world tells us? 42 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,440 what is what is powerful and 43 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:06,080 Oftentimes we take those images those thoughts those ideas 44 00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:09,560 And we adopt that into our 45 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:12,760 Christian life into our spiritual lives and 46 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:18,360 the concept that we have often is that strength is 47 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,720 It's toughness and it's 48 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,960 Fortitude and it's you know, it's having 49 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:31,720 Spiritual muscles and it's being built up and strong and certainly 50 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,920 That is the case. I think that there's nothing 51 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,560 Immediately wrong with with that idea of 52 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:47,160 Something appearing to be strong in its edifice something to look stable, but 53 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:53,400 Many times the that concept could could also deprive us 54 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:55,960 it could also 55 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,920 confuse us at times because 56 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,000 We don't always feel that way 57 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,200 We don't always feel strong. We don't always feel 58 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,160 up for the for the task. We don't always feel 59 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:11,760 comfortable and 60 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:16,640 What I want to share today and what I believe God is 61 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:19,640 Interrupting our 62 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:27,520 Regularly scheduled program or the message that I had intended to preach today was because there may be somebody here this afternoon 63 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:34,440 Who has been dealing with some things in your life? That's got you feeling weak and not strong 64 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:37,320 Amen got you feeling 65 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:45,640 Uncomfortable and questioning whether you are in the will of God 66 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:51,200 Because our minds are programmed to think well 67 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:53,960 If I'm in the will of God 68 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:58,000 And if I'm doing what he wants me to do and if I am 69 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:04,920 Going according to plan things are going according to plan then then things ought to be 70 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:12,160 Going good then then I ought to feel strong and and everything ought to be in place 71 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,640 I ought to be happier, you know 72 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:19,560 My bills ought to be all paid and paid on time 73 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:23,560 and you know how to be I ought to be in harmony with 74 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,560 People in my life and and my marriage ought to be you know 75 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:36,200 100% good and my kids ought to be 100% obedient, you know and and and everything my car had to be 76 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:41,320 Dependable, you know if I'm in the will of God, you know, come on now somebody 77 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:44,920 If I'm doing what he told me and that's what I'm doing 78 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:53,160 You know, come on now somebody if I'm doing what he told me and if I'm operating with a certain level of revelation and continuity 79 00:05:53,560 --> 00:06:01,320 And and I'm just you know, I'm praying like I should and I'm fasting like I should then everything ought to be going smooth 80 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:03,360 I 81 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:04,760 ought to be 82 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:06,760 coasting and and just you know 83 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:13,560 You know eating eating grapes. Well, you know people found me, you know everything, you know, that's when you know, huh? 84 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:18,280 We say to ourselves that that you're in the will of God, but cannot tell you today 85 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,560 That oftentimes it's the exact opposite 86 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:26,200 Sometimes, you know, you're in the will of God 87 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:29,160 When things are going wrong 88 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:31,640 Amen 89 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,200 Sometimes you know you're in the will of God 90 00:06:34,840 --> 00:06:37,640 when it's not going your way and 91 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,320 you feel weak or buffeted or 92 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,600 inhibited hindered by something in your life and 93 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:51,880 As the apostle Paul is writing here in this text one of my favorite passages of scripture is minister to me time 94 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,440 and time again 95 00:06:54,920 --> 00:06:57,480 When you look at this text you see a man who? 96 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,720 On the outside should have everything going for him. He's an apostle with 97 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:05,800 such 98 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,320 a depth of revelation a man who knows 99 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:15,400 Revelation a man who no doubt walked with God a man who is responsible for writing 100 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,280 more than half of the new testament 101 00:07:19,220 --> 00:07:20,920 epistles 102 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:23,560 a man who God used mightily 103 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:29,560 To bring revival to establish the kingdom of God to establish churches in foreign places 104 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,440 I mean, this is a bona fide man of God 105 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:37,960 and I don't think anybody can question the the credentials the 106 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:39,160 uh 107 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,320 the the level of anointing 108 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:45,880 and the the the greatness of this this man 109 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:48,520 of this man the apostle paul 110 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,200 and for a man like this to 111 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:57,320 In the middle of his letter to the corinthians in the second letter 112 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:01,640 Begin to open us up to his private world 113 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:05,560 This is what I can appreciate about this text today 114 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:07,800 Is here is a man who can just write? 115 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:10,280 theology all day long 116 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:12,760 and write, you know, uh one 117 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:19,480 great thing after another about about God and and and and truth and 118 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,120 Revelation and theology 119 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:28,200 But but he pauses here and it begins to invite us into his world 120 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,000 and when he invites us into his world 121 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:36,120 And he pulls back the curtain in his life. We start to see 122 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:38,200 the reality 123 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:43,560 Of being a true man or woman of God we start to see that all is not 124 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:45,960 As it may appear on the outside 125 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,240 He starts to bear his scars 126 00:08:49,560 --> 00:08:54,760 He starts to share a side of his life that the reader of the time may have thought 127 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:56,520 Wow 128 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:59,720 Paul's getting real with us here. We didn't know 129 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,080 We didn't know that paul had trials like us 130 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:10,120 How many of you have ever been refreshed to know that your spiritual heroes and your spiritual, you know 131 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:18,120 Those spiritual legends those people that you look up to have ever been refreshed or encouraged whenever they have shared a part about their life 132 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:20,920 Where you go? Oh man, you've got it bad, too 133 00:09:23,560 --> 00:09:25,480 You're in pain too 134 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:31,720 How many have ever been impressed i've always been refreshed that there's been times where i've sat with some great men of god 135 00:09:31,860 --> 00:09:36,360 Preachers who who I have sat in the audience and watched and listened, you know, just 136 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:43,640 Sway groups of people with their oratory abilities and the anointing and see oh, that's just the greatness of god 137 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:49,720 Moving in their life and then you sit down and you talk to them and then they start sharing things that are going on in 138 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:55,800 Their life said man, I would have I would have thought that you just you know walked on clouds 139 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,540 And nothing touched you because you're so anointed 140 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,940 But oftentimes the key to anointing 141 00:10:05,560 --> 00:10:08,600 And the key to greatness in the kingdom of god 142 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:11,880 Is how you deal with the thorns of life? 143 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,400 Someone say thorns 144 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:18,600 Have you ever felt a thorn before? 145 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,000 Ever did some yard work and you come across a thorn 146 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:28,200 Have you ever got one lodged in your in your hand or in your foot? 147 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:30,520 I tell you 148 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,720 When they go deep sometimes it can cause a lot of pain 149 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,160 Thorns i'm gonna say thorns 150 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:41,560 these prickly sharp things that that 151 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,520 When pressed up against the body 152 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:50,600 You know, I think of the the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of christ when he was crucified 153 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:57,640 And how blood came down? I when I think of a thorn, I don't think of a you know, like a little weed 154 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,040 Just a small little, you know fuzzy 155 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:06,600 Uh a plant growing in your backyard. I think of a real thorn like maybe the kind that you might 156 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:14,200 Feel when you're uh trimming a rose bush, you know, those roses are very beautiful, but you gotta watch out for those thorns 157 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:18,280 I think of something sharp as a knife 158 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,320 and when paul is describing 159 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:28,040 His life he's lifting the veil over his life. He he says that that there was this thorn 160 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:33,320 In my flesh and he doesn't tell us what the thorn is he doesn't 161 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,880 Reveal if the thorn is a thing 162 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,080 If it's a physical malady 163 00:11:39,560 --> 00:11:41,560 If it's a person 164 00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:43,560 uh a soured relationship 165 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:45,320 or 166 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:49,000 Something else or a spiritual thorn a demonic 167 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:50,680 um 168 00:11:50,680 --> 00:11:53,640 Attack on his life. We don't know the the nature 169 00:11:54,120 --> 00:12:00,360 Of the thorn but nevertheless this sharp object in his life has caused him such pain and 170 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:06,680 And distress that he he said look I tried to cover this up as long as I can but but but i'm in pain 171 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:11,560 I'm in pain and i'm dealing with this thorn 172 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,080 In my flesh and he said it was a messenger 173 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:16,680 of 174 00:12:16,680 --> 00:12:18,680 of satan 175 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:23,160 It was a messenger of satan and it's trying to tell me something 176 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:26,600 It's trying to communicate and what could that message be? 177 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:34,120 I think that message could be a message that you and I hear sometimes when we are experiencing pain 178 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:38,600 When things are not going our way when no matter how hard we pray or fast 179 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:43,080 You know, we're not able to get ahead or just something just keeps pulling us back something keeps 180 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,280 Inhibiting us something keeps bothering us troubling us 181 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:51,880 I think it's that same message that paul must have heard and that message might be you know 182 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,720 If god really loves you then he's not going to let you go 183 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,760 If he loves you then then why is he allowing this to happen? 184 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:06,440 I think that message might be if if you're really anointed then then why are you experiencing this pain? 185 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:13,720 That message might be that if you were as strong as you say you are and you are as as wonderful or 186 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:20,440 As prayerful or as christian as you think or say you are then then why can't you get over? 187 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,160 This pesky problem 188 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:25,880 in your life why 189 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:31,800 I think that message might be well, maybe you're not really called after all. Hmm 190 00:13:32,680 --> 00:13:34,280 my lord 191 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,920 Maybe you're not really anointed after all maybe 192 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:41,480 Maybe god's plan for you is not as great as you thought they were 193 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,800 But let me tell you about every message that the devil sends to you 194 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,040 Is that those message those messages are lies? 195 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:52,040 I said they're lies 196 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:56,440 Lies that are meant only 197 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:03,800 To take our minds and our focuses off what god has ultimately called us to do 198 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,400 Lies that are meant to distract us 199 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:11,960 to convince us that maybe just 200 00:14:12,680 --> 00:14:14,040 maybe 201 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:17,160 God made a mistake 202 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:19,160 Maybe he made a mistake 203 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:24,120 Oh god, I know i'm gonna help somebody today. Somebody said go ahead 204 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,880 That maybe god made a mistake when he called me 205 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:32,120 Maybe god made a mistake when he when he put me in the place that I am 206 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:38,120 Maybe god made a mistake when he had me, you know, start the family. I did the business I did 207 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:42,280 Maybe he made a mistake when he gave me the ministry that he did and 208 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:49,480 Maybe god made a mistake. Maybe this is all one big misunderstanding and i'm not even supposed to be here 209 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:57,880 I don't know what was going through paul's mind when he was hearing these messages that that that who do you think you are? 210 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:04,120 What what a joke you are paul to be writing these letters and to be uh teaching 211 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:09,000 As if though you're some feel what what a joke what an embarrassment you are paul 212 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:15,720 To be a preacher of the gospel and yet you can't get over this issue in your life paul 213 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:22,200 What what a you ought to be ashamed of yourself paul that that here you are, you know, mr 214 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:28,760 Mr. Apostle, but yet, uh, you you got a thorn in your life that you haven't been able to to pull out 215 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:35,480 Oh, I can imagine that these messages were bombarding his mind as he sat there at night 216 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:41,560 Uh staring up into the ceiling wondering why am I dealing with this god? 217 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:47,880 Why can't you just alleviate me lord and so that we can let the devil know that he's not in charge 218 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,400 Lord, how about we put the devil in his place? 219 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:58,200 And remove this thorn from my flesh and paul pray night after night and day after day 220 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,240 And he tells us that at least three occasions 221 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:06,200 He really locked in with god and he really began to pray 222 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:12,360 Uh, he really stopped the lord. He shut the door behind him got into his prayer closet 223 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:17,480 And he got down to business with god and said lord. Can you please remove? 224 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,480 This thorn from my life 225 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,280 God said no, he said okay god, okay 226 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:29,480 Then maybe a couple weeks went by 227 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,840 Or maybe a couple months and and the thorn is still there. It's like lord 228 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,880 Maybe you didn't hear me the last time 229 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:39,400 Let me go pray again 230 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:41,640 And so he prays again and 231 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,000 God I really and he does this three times 232 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:50,040 And three times I got to imagine that paul got up from his prayer 233 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:54,680 Convinced and believing that god was going to answer that prayer 234 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:59,900 God was going to rid him of this problem and everything would magically go away overnight 235 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,360 And and it would just be you know 236 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:08,600 It would be that the life that he always wanted and everybody would just kind of live happily ever after and things would just be great 237 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:13,480 Find and wonderful and and he could just be you know clear of this issue 238 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:19,080 I bet that's what he felt and thought but then there came that word to him that paul 239 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:23,400 I'm not going to remove this thorn from your life because that thorn 240 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:29,240 Because that thorn whether you realize it or not is producing in you christ likeness 241 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:33,640 That thorn in your life paul. I know you don't think it has any value 242 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,120 I know you don't think it's not producing anything 243 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:42,760 But paul i'm allowing that pain and discomfort and that trouble to produce in you patience 244 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:47,640 And virtue and love and long suffering and kindness 245 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:50,600 I'm teaching you how to love your enemies 246 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:56,600 I'm teaching you how to strive i'm teaching you gotta keep on going paul 247 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:03,480 There are times in our life where even after we prayed and even after we've sought god 248 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:05,960 The lord will tell us 249 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:10,600 I am let me just let me just pause here and say that that what I am preaching today 250 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:12,040 And i'm not going to be very long 251 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:17,020 But what i've come to tell somebody today is not that we ought to change our expectation 252 00:18:17,020 --> 00:18:21,020 We ought to pray every time we pray with faith that god's gonna answer 253 00:18:22,220 --> 00:18:23,820 Amen somebody 254 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:30,380 Hey, listen, I am not here today preaching like an anti-prayer message that oh it doesn't matter what you pray god's just gonna do 255 00:18:30,380 --> 00:18:32,380 No, no, you can absolutely 256 00:18:33,100 --> 00:18:38,300 Change the the scope and the direction of your life by how you pray you can actually 257 00:18:38,940 --> 00:18:42,220 Convert and change things can change when you pray 258 00:18:42,940 --> 00:18:44,940 Come on, there's power in prayer. Amen 259 00:18:44,940 --> 00:18:46,300 Yes 260 00:18:46,300 --> 00:18:52,460 So i'm not here today preaching. Well, you ought to just you know, uh, just you know, don't pray so hard because you know 261 00:18:52,540 --> 00:18:55,500 It's what's gonna happen is gonna happen anyways, that's not what we're saying 262 00:18:56,860 --> 00:18:58,860 What we're saying is 263 00:18:59,020 --> 00:19:01,020 How do you deal with no? 264 00:19:03,820 --> 00:19:06,860 You know god answers prayers, but sometimes his answer is no 265 00:19:08,220 --> 00:19:10,220 Amen, I lost you right there 266 00:19:11,180 --> 00:19:13,260 Sometimes his answer is 267 00:19:13,260 --> 00:19:16,940 So how do we deal with with no because three times paul heard no 268 00:19:17,820 --> 00:19:18,860 No 269 00:19:18,860 --> 00:19:19,980 No 270 00:19:19,980 --> 00:19:21,980 No 271 00:19:24,780 --> 00:19:30,300 And paul must have thought to himself well, but how am I going to make it because 272 00:19:32,060 --> 00:19:34,060 Whether this is a thing 273 00:19:34,220 --> 00:19:36,220 a financial problem 274 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:40,060 A relationship problem ministry problem, whatever this thing is 275 00:19:40,860 --> 00:19:42,860 god, how am I going to do this because 276 00:19:42,860 --> 00:19:45,980 It every morning I wake up and there it is 277 00:19:47,820 --> 00:19:49,980 You know, I can't escape it 278 00:19:51,100 --> 00:19:53,100 I can't get away from it. It's 279 00:19:53,500 --> 00:19:56,780 It's everywhere and look it's waiting for me and work 280 00:19:57,900 --> 00:19:59,900 Hello somebody 281 00:19:59,980 --> 00:20:02,000 Some of you got some thorns at work. Hallelujah 282 00:20:02,940 --> 00:20:07,340 You don't want to send them the the google or or the link to this message today. Amen 283 00:20:08,780 --> 00:20:10,780 Why'd you send me this one? Oh 284 00:20:10,780 --> 00:20:12,780 I'm sorry 285 00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:18,060 Sometimes it's at home or sometimes it's we said but god I still got to keep dealing with this 286 00:20:18,300 --> 00:20:20,300 And so when god answers, you know 287 00:20:21,340 --> 00:20:23,340 What is he trying to teach you? 288 00:20:24,780 --> 00:20:26,780 Well paul gives us the answer 289 00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:29,500 and it's the same answer that 290 00:20:29,500 --> 00:20:34,060 Needs to speak to us today because the devil has a message but god has a message too 291 00:20:35,260 --> 00:20:38,940 And how many of you know that god's message is greater than the devil's message 292 00:20:38,940 --> 00:20:42,320 Can you clap your hands and give god some praise today? Hallelujah 293 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:46,460 God has a message 294 00:20:46,460 --> 00:20:49,020 And his message to him was this and he said to me 295 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:51,900 My grace someone say my grace 296 00:20:54,220 --> 00:20:56,620 Is sufficient for you 297 00:20:59,020 --> 00:21:03,100 That word sufficient means enough my grace 298 00:21:04,220 --> 00:21:05,740 Is enough 299 00:21:05,740 --> 00:21:10,780 God, hallelujah my strength is made perfect 300 00:21:12,140 --> 00:21:14,460 In weakness paul i've come to tell you 301 00:21:16,380 --> 00:21:21,500 Strength is not strength weakness is strength 302 00:21:24,940 --> 00:21:26,940 Because when you are in a position 303 00:21:27,980 --> 00:21:29,980 of human weakness 304 00:21:30,460 --> 00:21:32,140 Your weakness 305 00:21:32,140 --> 00:21:36,140 Is a magnet to my grace? 306 00:21:36,540 --> 00:21:38,700 And when you are weak, this is why paul 307 00:21:39,820 --> 00:21:46,620 Summarized his revelation summarize his experience when he said for when I am weak 308 00:21:47,580 --> 00:21:49,580 then 309 00:21:49,580 --> 00:21:51,580 I am strong 310 00:21:52,540 --> 00:21:54,540 What would that mean to us today? 311 00:21:55,980 --> 00:21:58,380 Not that we are not to build ourselves up 312 00:21:58,380 --> 00:22:03,660 And be strong. No god god tells us like he told joshua be strong in the good courage 313 00:22:03,660 --> 00:22:08,300 God wants us to be strong, but not strong in our own strength 314 00:22:09,580 --> 00:22:11,100 Amen 315 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:15,420 Amen somebody not strong in our own strength 316 00:22:16,700 --> 00:22:19,500 But in strong in his strength 317 00:22:21,340 --> 00:22:27,020 I can't be strong in him if i'm so busy trying to be strong in me 318 00:22:27,020 --> 00:22:29,020 strong in me 319 00:22:29,340 --> 00:22:31,340 Who jesus? 320 00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:36,400 I'm gonna go back and watch this message for myself later this week. Hallelujah 321 00:22:37,180 --> 00:22:39,180 I can't be strong in him 322 00:22:39,980 --> 00:22:41,980 If i'm trying to be strong 323 00:22:42,380 --> 00:22:44,380 in me 324 00:22:45,340 --> 00:22:48,220 The only way I can be strong in him 325 00:22:49,020 --> 00:22:53,360 Is if I am like christ who's praying at the garden of gethsemane 326 00:22:53,360 --> 00:22:58,400 Gethsemane lord if it be possible let this cup pass for me god 327 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,600 Let this cup pass from me 328 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:08,480 But nevertheless not my will but yours be done if I can just humble myself if I can just 329 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:15,520 If I can just lift up my hands and I face lift up my eyes if I can just position myself in him 330 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:22,160 If I can look up to god and if I can just realize that my strength is not from within me 331 00:23:22,160 --> 00:23:28,880 Me as a human in my willpower and my mental power in my emotional power 332 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,080 But my strength is coming in my weakness 333 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:39,520 My strength is not saying to god. I know what to do. My strength is saying god. I don't know what to do 334 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:42,000 My show I wish I had a witness today 335 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:48,640 My strength is not coming to god with my answers. It's coming to god with my questions 336 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:54,640 Uh my strain it's not saying i've got it all figured out my strength is god 337 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:56,800 Even though I know what to do 338 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:00,720 I will trust in the lord with all my mind 339 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:03,540 I will lead not to my own understanding 340 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:10,580 But I will acknowledge him in all my ways. Come on somebody give god some praise today. Hallelujah 341 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,000 That's where my strength is 342 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,640 That's where our strength is it's in weakness 343 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:21,440 And the problem and the reason why 344 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:26,560 As I get prepared to close here with these thoughts the reason why some people struggle 345 00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:30,560 To get the grace that they need 346 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:35,060 Is because they won't admit their weaknesses 347 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:41,120 If I spend all my time 348 00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:45,680 preoccupied with presenting a version of myself 349 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:48,880 That is perfect and flawless and I have no weaknesses 350 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:56,160 Then I in effect am putting myself at a disadvantage from receiving the grace 351 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:58,800 That god wants to give me 352 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:03,280 Confess your faults to one another 353 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:06,160 And you shall be healed 354 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:09,280 People want to be healed but they don't want to be healed 355 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:16,420 People want to be healed but they don't want to confess their faults. Why because if I confess my fault i'm confessing my weaknesses 356 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,440 Are you hearing what i'm saying today? I'm confessing the part of me that i'm ashamed of 357 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:25,520 I'm confessing the part of me that i've been trying to work over time to hide 358 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:30,800 I'm confessing the part of me that that is embarrassing the part of me that i'm not proud of 359 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:34,080 But then that is the problem 360 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:41,040 But if we get real with god today and if we get real with each other today and we just say god 361 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,800 I am I am I I have flaws 362 00:25:45,360 --> 00:25:53,280 And frailties I am weak but god i'm okay admitting that today because when I am 363 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:55,840 weak 364 00:25:56,160 --> 00:25:58,160 Someone help me say it today then 365 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,200 I am strong 366 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:08,800 But I can't get to his grace and I can't get to his strength unless I get real with god 367 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:13,200 Unless I am willing to bear my soul and say lord 368 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:16,800 I don't have it all figured out 369 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:21,280 Someone say I need help 370 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:25,360 Come on, come on say it again say I need help 371 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:29,120 Can I tell you something? There is nothing wrong 372 00:26:29,120 --> 00:26:31,120 With saying those words 373 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,320 I need 374 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:43,360 Oh jesus nothing wrong with saying those words 375 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:47,440 Nothing wrong with saying I 376 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,400 Am weak 377 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,960 Because when I confess 378 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:56,000 My weakness 379 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:57,520 I am 380 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:01,520 I am indirectly I am inviting his strength 381 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:04,960 His grace 382 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:12,240 His glory into my life 383 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:18,960 I am in essence giving god space to perform 384 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:22,800 His goodwill 385 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:25,860 I am in essence giving god permission 386 00:27:25,860 --> 00:27:27,860 to move 387 00:27:30,180 --> 00:27:32,180 In my life 388 00:27:32,260 --> 00:27:36,420 I am in essence allowing the holy ghost 389 00:27:38,740 --> 00:27:40,740 I feel them right now 390 00:27:43,460 --> 00:27:46,580 Would you just close your eyes right there where you are I feel god in this place 391 00:27:50,580 --> 00:27:54,740 Somebody who I don't know who I am preaching to today 392 00:27:54,740 --> 00:28:00,180 Right, but god loved you so much. Can I just tell you he loved 393 00:28:01,780 --> 00:28:02,820 So 394 00:28:02,820 --> 00:28:06,340 Much that he interrupted today's schedule 395 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:10,740 He interrupted what was on what was on the program 396 00:28:11,460 --> 00:28:13,460 So that he might reach you 397 00:28:14,100 --> 00:28:17,620 That he might touch you that he might raise you 398 00:28:17,620 --> 00:28:24,020 You uh so that he could end the frustration and he could end 399 00:28:24,900 --> 00:28:26,260 the pain 400 00:28:26,260 --> 00:28:28,260 of wonder he could end 401 00:28:28,820 --> 00:28:36,180 The the constant battle he could end the tug of war he could end the fight that you've been fighting with him 402 00:28:36,820 --> 00:28:41,540 Some of you you don't know it, but you've been fighting with god. You've been fighting with his will 403 00:28:42,100 --> 00:28:45,220 You've been fighting with his way you've been fighting 404 00:28:45,220 --> 00:28:52,180 uh against uh his purpose you've been fighting against your emotions and against uh, 405 00:28:52,580 --> 00:28:59,460 Your mind and and god wants you to know today that he loves you and that his grace is 406 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:04,180 Sufficient god says i've got tailor-made grace for you 407 00:29:04,580 --> 00:29:08,740 I've got grace to fit whatever it is you're going through shi'a la makkah 408 00:29:08,740 --> 00:29:16,100 I've got grace to fit whatever it is your experience see my grace is not one size fits all 409 00:29:16,500 --> 00:29:21,720 My grace is not a cookie cutter grace. My grace is tailor-made 410 00:29:22,980 --> 00:29:24,980 To fit whatever it is 411 00:29:25,380 --> 00:29:30,120 Your life needs. I don't know if there's somebody hearing what i'm saying this afternoon 412 00:29:30,900 --> 00:29:37,140 But i'm inviting you to pray i'm inviting somebody right now to get open and honest with god 413 00:29:37,140 --> 00:29:44,580 Somebody this afternoon to invite the lord into the space of your heart and life and say god 414 00:29:44,900 --> 00:29:51,220 I need your grace. I need you lord. I need you in my marriage. I need you in my family 415 00:29:51,540 --> 00:29:56,580 I need you in my home. I need you in my body. I need you in my mind 416 00:29:56,980 --> 00:29:58,980 I need you in my spirit 417 00:29:59,300 --> 00:30:01,300 I need you in my soul 418 00:30:01,300 --> 00:30:04,660 I don't know if there's somebody hearing what i'm preaching this afternoon 419 00:30:04,660 --> 00:30:11,060 But you gotta know how much god loves you. You gotta know that god came into this place today 420 00:30:11,700 --> 00:30:14,920 That he might save you that he might oh hallelujah 421 00:30:15,540 --> 00:30:18,580 I'm inviting somebody right now to talk to the lord 422 00:30:19,060 --> 00:30:23,060 And what we want to do is just give god a moment to move in your life 423 00:30:23,140 --> 00:30:27,780 I want to open up this altar. I want to open up this place for prayer 424 00:30:28,100 --> 00:30:31,320 I want somebody to get the grace that you need this afternoon 425 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:34,380 Oh hallelujah hallelujah 426 00:30:34,380 --> 00:31:01,100 Hallelujah, oh wish somebody would connect with god right now