The pastor from California emphasizes the significance of the Bible's praise of humility, which he considers counter-cultural.

"He told me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, and my power is perfected in weakness.' So, I will boast more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power can rest on me. That's why I love weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. When I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

The Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, a New Testament epistle, contains valuable words for Christians to ponder, as Matthew Barnett shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Angelus Temple in Los Angeles is led by Barnett, who is also the co-founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center, a nonprofit organization with a faith-based focus.

In September, the Los Angeles Dream Center will celebrate its 30th year of ministry in downtown Los Angeles, which Barnett considers an "incredible milestone."

"Yet God has been so faithful, often in spite of our weakness and failure," he added, stating that he was never fully certain they would reach that point.

Over the course of his 30 years in ministry, Barnett stated that he has gained a fresh perspective on 2 Corinthians.

Barnett remarked that it is unusual for someone to boast about their weaknesses, as people typically do so to conceal them.

In Barnett's view, "Jesus changes the narrative" for Paul.

Jesus told Paul, 'My grace is sufficient for you, and my power is made perfect in weakness,' before he boasted about his weaknesses.

"God's power is displayed even more brilliantly against the backdrop of our weakness."

Paul boasts about his weakness because God's power is displayed more brilliantly against it.

According to Barnett, Paul described the numerous difficulties he encountered during his ministry, including "insults, hardships, persecutions, and countless obstacles."

Barnett stated that he was subjected to repeated beatings, mockery, stoning, harassment, and imprisonment.

Despite the difficulties and obstacles, Paul does not simply accept them; instead, he claims to enjoy them, exclaiming, "For Christ's sake," said Barnett.

"The words 'for Christ's sake' are crucial because they reveal Paul's motivation. He wasn't doing it for personal gain," he stated.

Paul was a servant who sought to make Christ known, and if it meant enduring hardships and persecution to do so, he was willing to do it.

Barnett stated that it feels counter-cultural to boast about one's weaknesses in an era of highlight reels.

"He said that Paul understood the radical reversal at the heart of the Gospel," he said.

"When we have nothing left, we finally realize He’s all we need."

As Barnett stated, "At the conclusion of our resources, God performs His greatest miracles, for it is then that we understand He is all we require."

Over the past 30 years, Barnett has learned the importance of helping families find a place to rest, guiding those struggling with addiction to break free from their downward spiral, and lifting the spirits of women who have been abused by their own family through Los Angeles.

"He stated that he has never felt fully qualified to resolve any of the crises, but he relies on the one who will always be qualified."

He acknowledged that if he relied solely on his own understanding and attempted to overcome these challenges independently, he would have undoubtedly failed.

"Like Paul, I am discovering that through Christ, my weakness becomes my strength in those moments when I am at my lowest."