Young People's Group

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

by Pastor Mitch
September 24, 2006

A Paradoxical Statement Of Life

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10

What did Paul mean when he wrote this verse? How can a person be strong when he is weak? It seems like a real contradiction of terms. And yet this is a spiritual paradox of our Christian faith and life. What Paul meant was that when we are weak physically and we rely on the Lord, we can be strong internally. The context of what Paul was writing was having a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul was going through much suffering. It was a physical predicament sent from Satan. Paul prayed to the Lord that it might be taken away. But the Lord taught him to learn to rely on His grace. Through this, he learned that in moments of great weakness, he can be strengthened by the Lord’s grace.

Learning To Depend On The Lord’s Grace

How can we learn to depend on the Lord’s grace?

1. Trusting In The Sufficiency Of The Lord’s Grace

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'”
2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord revealed to Paul that no matter what the difficulty he may face, through His grace, there will be enough strength to cope. His strength finds perfection in our weakness. It is vital that we trust in the all-sufficiency of God’s grace.

2. Having A Mature Faith To Face The Infirmities Of Life

“Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

Since the Lord’s grace was perfected in weakness, Paul sought to have a mature faith to face any trial. He would gladly embrace infirmities in life so that His power may work in him. He was not afraid to face them. Let’s learn to cultivate such a faith too.

3. Learning To Rejoice In Life’s Difficulties

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.”
2 Corinthians 12:10

Young people, let’s learn to be glad amidst the problems of life. We can esteem the reproaches and distresses of life as good for us. We can take pleasure in needs and persecutions. We can endure them for Christ’s sake. Let’s rejoice in the trials of life.

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