I. PAUL'S THEME Verse 1

"It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come visions and revelations of the Lord."

a. Paul made it known in the beginning that it wasn*t his custom to glory in what had happened to him, but his desire was reveal the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. Should not this be the very theme of our life? Not to tell what we have done, but to reveal Jesus Christ and tell what He has done.

II. PAUL'S TESTIMONY: Verses 2-4

"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell: or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven."

a. Paul had an experience that was just too wonderful for Him to explain. It was an experience that he would never forget, a sight that remained with him.

b. Do you have such a testimony? Do you know that you have passed from death unto life?

III. PAUL'S THORN: Verse 7

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should 1 exalted above measure."

a. With Paul*s experience he surely could have been lifted with pride, but God had a way of keeping him down to earth where he could be useful.

b. Here is our lesson children. There is a reason for the problem in our life.

IV. PAUL'S TRIUMPH: Verse 9

a. Paul found the answer. It was not the removal of the problem but the glorious promise of the Grace.

b. God has made us the same promise He made Paul and ever redeemed child of God down through the ages.