John K. Jenkins Sr - Lessons From the Pain of Your Past

For some people in this congregation and in our communities, 2013 has been a fabulous year; yet for others , 2013 can't get over quickly enough for them. I don't know which category you fall into, but I am assured and thankful that , whatever your circumstance or situation , I'm grateful to God for bringing me to this place at the conclusion of the last Sunday of 2013. Let me thank all 23 of you for that rousing celebration . As we close this year, I want to reflect on what has happened in our past and the lessons God would have us learn. As we start off 2014 , we will be looking forward, amen, with anticipation and excitement for what God has for our future. However, it is impossible to fully benefit from the future if you have not learned the lessons that God intended for you from your past . I'm trying to help somebody understand a valuable lesson : if you don't learn the lessons from your past, you are bound to repeat the experiences until you learn what God wants you to learn . I should have heard a few more amens on that point right there! The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth; this is his second letter to this troubled group of people. They are a messed-up bunch: there's adultery, incest , division, and marital problems. There are all kinds of issues; they are even suing each other! There is drama in the church. I keep telling you all that Corinth was the ancient First Baptist Church of Glenarden. The same issues that are occurring in their church also happen in our church, and vice versa. There 's nothing new under the sun. I don't know why people are surprised when they discover that church people are flawed. What do you expect ? The church is full of broken people; that's why it's a church . We are a hospital for the sick; this is not a social club for those who have it together . We are not perfect ; in fact , the head person in charge is also a flawed individual. Don 't say amen too loudly on that point ! But Paul speaks to this church in an effort to get them straightened out , and one of the things he expresses, which amazes me each time I read it in this book of 2 Corinthians, is how he really wants to highlight some things from his own experiences . He wants to convey lessons that I believe are applicable to us today . He wants to tell us that there are lessons from our yesterdays that will benefit our tomorrows . So, let's take a look back, and I will give you the three lessons I want to highlight . Allow me to walk through these verses for just a moment. The first lesson I want us to recognize, and I believe Paul wants us to recognize, is to learn to recognize the greater purpose in your problems. Let me repeat that: you need to recognize the greater purpose in your problems . So, here's Paul; I love this verse right here. He says in verse 7, "Unless I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me." Let me pause right there ; listen to what he's saying . Paul is acknowledging that God has supernaturally given him insight. God anointed Paul to write and to have insight into His ways and nature . Paul is the one who wrote most of the New Testament. He states that unless I become arrogant and my head gets too big because of the abundance of insight God gives me, He gave me a thorn in my flesh . Now, I need to pause here and talk to you because some of you , those who have arrived and seem to have it all together, may think that because of the abundance of resources God has given you-living in a nice house , driving a nice car , and wearing particular clothes-there's a risk you might consider yourself better than those from Southeast . Look at your neighbor and say, "He's talking to you ." I know you don't want to say amen; I realize this 8:00 service is sophisticated and dressed up, arriving in your sleek vehicles rather than catching the bus . You didn't have anyone pick you up , and the church van doesn't even go to the new Caron Metro stations for the 8:00 service, just for the 10:00 and especially the 12:00...