What if God's Power Shines Most When You Stop Pretending?

We love to look good, sound smart, and act like we've got our spiritual act together. But Paul? He had a chip on his shoulder, a thorn in the flesh, and zero interest in impressing anyone. And yet—the power of God flowed through him.

Why? Because it wasn't about Paul. Not slick words, clever debates, flawless presentations, or religious performance. It was about Jesus.

Your weakness, your mess-ups, your "I don't got this" moments? That's where God's power shines brightest.

People aren't repelled by transparency—they're drawn to it. Christ in you, living in the midst of the mess, is your true source of impact.

Stop pretending. Stop flexing. Stop trying to earn applause. Watch the message and see God's grace do the heavy lifting!

Discussion Questions for 2 Corinthians 11-13:

1. Why does Paul spend so much time "boasting" about his sufferings and weaknesses in chapter 11? What point is he making?
2. In 2 Corinthians 12:2–4, Paul mentions being "caught up to the third heaven." What does this mean, and what might Paul have experienced or seen there?
3. Why do you think Paul refers to himself in the third person when describing this heavenly vision? What does this tell us about Paul and his purpose in sharing it?
4. What do you think Paul's "thorn in the flesh" might have been? Why do you think God allowed it to remain?
5. Read verse 9. What does it mean for God's grace to be sufficient for you? How can you practically "boast in weakness" so that Christ's power may rest on you?
6. Read verse 10. Reflect on this paradox: "When I am weak, then I am strong." What does this look like in real life? Can you think of a time when God's strength showed most clearly through your weakness?
7. Read 13:5. What is the true test of salvation according to this passage? How does that differ from assessing our works or inspecting our fruit?