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Context: We find our promise today, in a letter Paul wrote out of concern for the souls of the believers in Corinth (11:3) and the reluctant need to defend his apostleship in light of a smear campaign being carried out by false apostles to discredit him.

Promise: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS! (2 Cor. 12:9)

Three lessons related to suffering that can help move us out of the wilderness of despair into the promise of GRACE and POWER.

Lesson #1 – Being saved does not give us immunity from all suffering and pain in this life (vs. 7)

a. Suffering is a reality of living in a broken and fallen world (Rom. 5:12; 8:22).

b. Suffering is a reality of living as a disciple of Christ.
“For Christ’s sake…” (2 Cor. 4:8-11 “for Jesus sake.” 1 Peter 4:12-16 “because of the name of Christ.” Acts 9:16 “for my name.” John 15:18-21 “because of my name.” John 16:33)

“Scripture works to prepare us, not so we would live in fear, but so we will be ready for the things we will all face” (Paul Tripp)

Question: So how does being saved help us in the midst of suffering?

Lesson #2 – Being saved gives us the ability to see suffering from a different perspective (vs. 7)

a. It helps us to see that suffering has purpose (James 1:2-4; 2 Cor. 1:3-9; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:5)

b. It helps us to see that suffering is God ordained and not just random. (Ps. 24:1, 1 Peter 4:19)

“Suffering clarifies who is in control.” (Paul Tripp)

Lesson #3 – Being saved gives us access to the strength needed to endure suffering and to be a witness (vs. 8-10)

a. It allows us to come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16)

b. It allows us to experience the grace and power of Christ in our weaknesses (2 Cor. 4:7)

“It is easy to believe in grace for the past and the future, but to rest in it for the immediate necessity is true faith…” (Charles Spurgeon)

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