A THORN IN THE FLESH – PART EIGHT
Saturday – March 24, 2018
Welcome back to this faith building Bible Study focused on being able to accurately evaluate and interpret the Apostle Paul’s reference to a thorn in the flesh in our primary Scripture text. The use of the term “thorn in the flesh” is interesting because any of us (I suspect all of us) who have had a physical thorn in our finger or elsewhere find that our focus on it is all consuming until it is removed. Anyone who has stubbed their toe I am sure can testify to the same all-consuming focus on the toe for some period of time. Diverting our focus is a primary weapon of our spiritual adversaries. I have spent a great deal of effort led of the Holy Spirit to lay a solid foundation for our understanding. We are now in the midst of looking at the ministry of Jesus in the earth, all of which was done as a man. We are told by the Master Himself that we are to do all that He did and even greater things. We also do these things as born again, Spirit filled men (and women). I am hoping that as I have been building this foundation and we are looking at the ministry of Jesus that the answer to Paul’s temporary confusion is becoming increasingly clear. We must put the times of prayer failures well behind us. Now, let’s read our primary text aloud slowly.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (KJV)
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Today I am once again going to pickup with the ministry of Jesus. This is so important because our ministry is to look the same. One of the most baffling errors in the Church today is demonstrated in the next Bible account. In short, we the disciples of Jesus, are still going to Him to get things done in the earth. Jesus does not have authority as God in the earth. His function as a man is in Heaven as our High Priest. He oversees the flow of Power in our lives according to the Covenant before God the Father. There is almost universal failure in Church prayer lines and prayer chains because we are going to Him to do what He has equipped and given us command to do just as He did in the earth. He made it clear as we reviewed a couple of weeks ago that He (Jesus, now us) did only what the Father did, said only what the Father said, and that He could do nothing of Himself, it was the Father that did the works. And so, it is to be with us today.
Luke 8:22-25 (KJV)
22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
Men and women are still doing this today, crying out to Jesus to handle things they have been equipped to do and wondering why they are perishing. As we join this account which is for our teaching and to build our faith let us be determined to see all of the Truth. Notice in verse twenty-two (light – Anointed Word) that Jesus gives an instruction (decree, declaration) that they were going to the other side of the lake. He had heard from the Father and that was the next place for them to be for the work of God to be done. He went to take a nap. Next, we see a storm is come against them all. Now just where do you suppose the storm came from and what was its purpose? Have you or I ever run smack into a storm on the way to do the will of God? This storm on the lake that day was about to sink the ship/boat they were in however Jesus had instruction for ministry on the other side. The disciples dealt with the storm entirely on the natural or physical level.
Remember all manifestations in the natural originated in the spiritual realm and so that is the realm that must be addressed to solve any natural phenomena. These disciples got into fear and so they awakened Jesus. How many times have we looked at our circumstances or threatened circumstances and became fearful? Fear immediately defeats love which is the power of faith and opens the door to the devil to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. This is exactly what was about to happen to these disciples in our secondary text. Have any of us gone to Jesus with the message of Master, Master, I am perishing? Did Jesus immediately get up and cry out to the Father for mercy and rescue and the Father was moved with compassion and calmed the sea? No, no, no, that would not have worked then and it does not work now! Jesus got up and spoke, not to God, but to the wind and the sea and all became calm.
If Jesus had cried out to the Father, He would have been in the same boat as Paul crying out about the thorn in the flesh. No, He arose, rebuked the storm with His authority as a man in the earth and the Power of God flowed from this Anointed man and calmed the storm. The man with authority in the earth speaks the decree and the Father does the works. Most preachers leave off with this account right here quite satisfied that is the meat of the account and that if we will just cry out to Jesus He will do the same for us. What perversion and darkness! The account continues with Jesus turning to the disciples and exclaiming: Where is your faith? The disciples could have done the same thing and Jesus could have gotten a decent nap. Jesus is turned and looking at us and saying the same thing: Where is your faith? Jesus asked the question once; when I return will I find faith? (Luke 18:8) Sadly, today the answer is; no. Lord willing, I will pickup right here next Saturday.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
