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We are in the middle of a series at church called, Tightrope – Living in the Tension. This weekend’s message focused on the tension between strength and weakness.

Pastor Kerry used 2 Corinthians 12:7 – 10 where Paul describes one of his own weaknesses or “thorn in his flesh”.

Thought I would share a few of my notes from the message…….

• Your greatest weakness might just be your greatest gift.

• If you want to impress people, impress them with your strengths. If you want to influence people, influence them by admitting your weaknesses.

• A weakness is a gift because it……

• builds my character

• removes my complacency

• increases my compassion

• gives God credit

• God’s power works best in weak people.

• It is not about your weakness, it is about God’s greatness.

• Sometimes it takes God being all you have for you to realize he is all you need.

• Instead of focusing on how ordinary you are, focus on how extraordinary He is.

• Focus not on the giant of your problem, but on the greatness of your God.

• Your weakness doesn’t determine your worth.

Paul.  He’s probably my favorite character from the Bible.

The New Testament is full of his writings.  Powerful, honest, truthful, beautiful, life-changing, God-inspired writings.

But this verse that he wrote in his letter to the Romans probably resonates with me more than any other……..

For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.  Romans 7:19

That verse plays itself out in my life everyday.  I hate that.  Sounds like Paul had the same problem.

I was reading through 1 Timothy this morning.

I love Paul’s letters to Timothy.  Paul advises his young apprentice.  He prepares a young leader.

Notice what Paul starts out with in 1 Timothy 2:1……

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

The First Thing

Prayer is the most important service that Christ’s Church can engage in.

Every Way

We should converse with God, take our requests to God, thank God, and praise God through our prayers.

For Everyone

Not just for yourself. Not just for friends & family.  Not just for people in your church.  Not just for fellow Christians.  For Everyone.

I need to get serious about prayer.  I need to make it the first thing.

What are your thoughts on prayer?

All of Paul’s letters in the New Testament start out with a greeting.  Sounds about right.  Letters usually have some kind of greeting.

When I read Paul’s letters, I usually find myself blowing right past the greetings.  But this morning I took a closer look.  Check out how Paul introduces himself in these greetings.

Romans

I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts.

1 Corinthians

I, Paul, have been called and sent by Jesus, the Messiah, according to God’s plan, along with my friend Sosthenes.

2 Corinthians

I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself.

Galatians

I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I’m God-commissioned.

Ephesians

I, Paul, am under God’s plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus.

Philippians

Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included.

Colossians

I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God’s master plan.

1 Thessalonians

I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy

I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope. Under God our Savior’s command, I’m writing this to you, Timothy, my son in the faith.

2 Timothy

I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God’s plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus.

Titus

I, Paul, am God’s slave and Christ’s agent for promoting the faith among God’s chosen people, getting out the accurate word on God and how to respond rightly to it.

Philemon

I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy.

There is a clear pattern here.

Paul clearly understood…….

- what the mission was (Getting out the accurate word on God)

- who the mission came from (God, Jesus, The Messiah, The Master, The Father)

- what he needed to do to accomplish the mission (be a slave, proclaim, write, serve, promote, suffer)