2 Corinthians 12:1-4  (NLT)
1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

 

2 Corinthians 12:5-7 (NLT)
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

 

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before fall (stumbling).

 

Kingdom Authority: “It is the divinely authorized right and responsibility delegated to believers to act on God’s behalf in spiritually ruling over His creation under the lordship of Jesus Christ.”

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 (ESV)
. . . a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being conceited.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this that it should leave me.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
. . . “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 

1. CONTENTMENT

 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT)
8 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

Philippians 4:10-13
10 “ How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

2. CONCENTRATE on the truth.

 

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

 

Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)
. . . All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

 

Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)
Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.

 

  • Biblical kingdom authority means staying true to Gods truth alone.

 

3. CREATE a joyful atmosphere.

 

Philippians 4:4 (NLT)
Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again—rejoice!

 

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

 

Questions:

  1. What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
  2. What will you do because of it?
  3. How can we pray for you?

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