Title: The Life of a Free Man
Contents
Bible: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Title: The life of a truly free man
[Brave Heart], an adaptation of the writings of Randall Willis, is the story of Scotland gaining freedom from British dictatorship at the end of the 13th century. In Scotland, the plot contrasts between William Wallace, the leader of the rebels, and Edward I, king of England and oppressor of Scotland. Wallace, who originally dreamed of a quiet life, fights against the British oppression, but does not yield to any conciliatory measures. Because only freedom, the freedom of the ‘sons of Scotland’ was important to him. Eventually, he was captured by Edward I's scheme and was executed publicly in London. The final scene is particularly touching. Even as he died, he said, “Free… dom… !” and dies resolutely. Motivated by his death, Scotland united and defeated the British army and finally gained precious freedom. It is evaluated as a movie. What do we look like? How much do we really feel the precious value of such freedom?
Main subject:
Today's text tells the story of a man who enjoyed such paradoxical freedom. He had such a great experience that he went up to the third floor, but after that, he received a thorn in the flesh from God and was suffering internally, the apostle Paul. However, he boldly testifies of the life of freedom he finally enjoyed as follows:
1. Through the apostle Paul, God tells us to live a life in which we do not boast except in our weaknesses (verse 5).
2. Through the apostle Paul, God makes us realize that the “thorn” that God has given is rather grace to us (verse 7).
3. God makes us realize that when we are weak, it is rather when we are strong because of Christ (v. 10).
“Therefore, for the sake of Christ, I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, privations, persecutions, and hardships; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (verse 10).
conclusion: