THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING (2 OF 3)
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
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The Gift that Keeps on Giving (2 of 3)
Dr. Ernest L. Easley
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
November 6, 2011
As you are turning to 2 Corinthians 12 .. how many of you would say, "Pastor, God has been so good to me over the years with blessing upon blessing." Now since the Bible says that the redeemed of the Lord should say so .. would you say so by simply raising your hand. By raising your hand .. you're saying to those around you that God has blessed you over the years with blessing.
Let's see the hands! Wonderful! Thank you for testifying of God's goodness and blessing in your life. Now let me say a word to you who DIDN'T raise your hand: You may not recognize God's blessing in your life .. but it's there. Look again for His blessings are not only all in you .. they are all around you.
Now to you who raised your hand testifying of God's blessing upon your life … let me say this to you: be careful because if you're not careful .. you'll begin focusing on all the blessings rather than on the One who gave all those blessings. And when that happens .. it's easy for pride to swell up in your heart. And God cannot use what pride has filled.
Now do you remember what God used in Paul's life to prevent that from happening? Rather than me simply telling you .. let's hear it from Paul himself. In 2 Corinthians 12.7 he tells us, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, LEST I BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE."
That "thorn in the flesh" .. whatever it was .. was a gift that kept on giving! You say, "Pastor, giving what?" Giving him what he needed to keep him useable.
May I give you some thorn truth this morning? It's that thorn in your flesh that keeps you HUMBLE. But not only humble .. but HOLY. And by keeping you Humble and Holy .. you stay useable before God! You see .. it really is the gift that keeps on giving!
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Dr. Ernest L. Easley
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
November 6, 2011
As you are turning to 2 Corinthians 12 .. how many of you would say, "Pastor, God has been so good to me over the years with blessing upon blessing." Now since the Bible says that the redeemed of the Lord should say so .. would you say so by simply raising your hand. By raising your hand .. you're saying to those around you that God has blessed you over the years with blessing.
Let's see the hands! Wonderful! Thank you for testifying of God's goodness and blessing in your life. Now let me say a word to you who DIDN'T raise your hand: You may not recognize God's blessing in your life .. but it's there. Look again for His blessings are not only all in you .. they are all around you.
Now to you who raised your hand testifying of God's blessing upon your life … let me say this to you: be careful because if you're not careful .. you'll begin focusing on all the blessings rather than on the One who gave all those blessings. And when that happens .. it's easy for pride to swell up in your heart. And God cannot use what pride has filled.
Now do you remember what God used in Paul's life to prevent that from happening? Rather than me simply telling you .. let's hear it from Paul himself. In 2 Corinthians 12.7 he tells us, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, LEST I BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE."
That "thorn in the flesh" .. whatever it was .. was a gift that kept on giving! You say, "Pastor, giving what?" Giving him what he needed to keep him useable.
May I give you some thorn truth this morning? It's that thorn in your flesh that keeps you HUMBLE. But not only humble .. but HOLY. And by keeping you Humble and Holy .. you stay useable before God! You see .. it really is the gift that keeps on giving!
N ...
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