Sunday Sermon: I know a man in Christ

I know a man in Christ

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
— 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NIV)
3. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—

4. was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

5. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

6. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,

7. or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

8. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:3-9 (NIV)