Pastor Kyle Lockhart

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

I have little doubt that you, like me, can firmly attest that Pastor Kyle W. A. Lockhart is one of the finest men you know. I recently read Rudyard Kipling’s 1895 poem “If” and concluded that of all the men I know, Pastor Kyle probably comes closest to fitting Kipling’s ideal of a man. Having served with Pastor Kyle up close and personal for five months, I can unequivocally say he is one of the wisest, most caring, funniest, loyal, hardworking, selfless, servant-hearted, knowledgeable, articulate, amiable, and trustworthy men I know. He is a prince among men. He shows me what it is to be a godly pastor, co-worker, husband, father, and friend. Christ oozes from him and it’s so attractive!

With such gifts, it would be easily conceivable that Pastor Kyle’s head could be puffed up … that he would think he is the bee’s knees! We can all attest, however, that this simply is not the case. His character is not marred whatsoever by pride, arrogance, or conceitedness. Why not?

In 2 Corinthians 11-12, Paul references things he could boast about: his Jewish pedigree, his labors and sacrifices for Christ, visions and revelations, and even an experience of heaven itself. How easy it could be for Paul to become puffed up! So, the Lord intervened to guard Paul from pride:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
~2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Lord, through the agency of a servile Satan, gave Paul a thorn to keep him from becoming conceited. What was the thorn? We don’t know. But we do know it was God’s sore but necessary provision to keep Paul from pride. Why? So that in Paul’s weakness it would be all the more evident to everyone that it is not Paul’s, but Christ’s power shining through him!

Imagine Tiger Woods rocked up to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Imagine he cruised to victory. And imagine that afterwards it was discovered that the clubs he used to win were old, rusty, falling apart, yard sale clubs! What would the effect be? Everyone would know that it wasn’t the clubs that were instrumental, but rather the power and greatness of Tiger Woods himself. In the same way, as Paul limped along with his thorn, it was clear that all his accomplishments were not of his own doing – he was just the old rickety clubs – but the power and glory of God shining through him.

Back to our champion. If you were purchasing a dishwasher at Home Depot and it was called Kyle Lockhart, you would be sure to get the extended warranty! His rickety body, worn out by bullet holes, explosions, a fallen tree, and other things (not to mention follicular challenges), has served him well. But the thorn in his flesh is his flesh! The Holy Spirit has guarded our wonderful pastor from conceitedness. Pastor Kyle is humble and modest because of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. And I believe that the Spirit probably, in part, used and uses Pastor Kyle’s rickety old carcass.

You may have afflictions in your life – hardships, impediments, and harassments that you have prayed more than three times for the Lord to take away. Could it be that these are things the Lord is using to keep you from becoming conceited? Could it be these are thorns the Lord has given to you so that His power is all the more evident in your weakness? If so, and I suspect that is the case, let us give thanks. Let us be content. And let us trust that for each day His grace is sufficient.

Rev. Rob Dykes, Pastor of Preaching & Congregational Care