When It Hurts 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Introduction

Suffering has been no short thing to the Church of the Living Christ. the world & the enemy has attacked since the inception of the church much as he did and still does the true people of Israel. But the church especially the disciples celebrated sometimes their suffering. It taught them something.

In acts they rejoiced when they were beaten by the temple guards, because they were being like their Lord. Even when we lose, we win. We grow. We learn.

“Better to be taught by suffering than to be taught by sin! Better to lie in God’s dungeon than to revel in the devil’s palace.” Charles Spurgeon

Suffering, can also part of Gods chastening on us.

“Chastening is evidence of God’s hatred for sin and His love for His people.” Warren W. Wiersbe

And sometimes, it is just the natural process, of living in a fallen world. Sometimes, the tire just goes flat. Sometimes, we just get sick. But in all things, God reigns supreme.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

3-7 Strange Comfort 8-11 Strange Despair

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Now, Paul gives a doctrinal truth here, that all comfort (in regards to the suffering for the sake of christ that Corinth is experiencing)

This comfort is the comforter, the Holy Spirit, He comforts us.

John 14:15–18 NKJV

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Why? because He is the Father of Mercies. God is so incredible, he pours his mercies on us. Paul is comforted that his strength be

Isaiah 51:12 NKJV

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?

But for us to be comforted by God, we must have faith in Him. We must be submitted to His Word and believe what He says. When we do, we react differently to suffering, to pain, through trials.

Would you receive Jesus today? Submit to your Father, giving yourself to their mly in removal from circumstances, contact, etc. When God is involved, it comes via the holy spirit. We are comforted to be comforters.m

2 Corinthians 1:5–6 NKJV

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

We experience it an live it out that you might see evidence of it.

James 5:10–11 NKJV

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

the comfort, again, that we experience is not experiential per-se, but spiritual. We are comforted by our knowledge of what He can do, but eventually, will do. Paul relates that He knows they will experience this comfort, because they are suffering for jesus and like those that do, will receive it because of the indwelling spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:7 NKJV

And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

That we see these others make it through, we can have faith that God will also see us through.

Now, lets examine this Strange Despair that Paul experienced.

2 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

We find this in Acts 19:21–41 turn there with me.

This was pretty much the SOP for Paul. I like how the NLT puts this,

2 Corinthians 1:8 NLT

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.

Paul admits, it was beyond his ability to respond. which is where the holy spirit enters into the frame

2 Corinthians 1:9–10 NKJV

Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

We could do nothing, Paul relates.

The trust, wasn't that god would deliver. but that GOD does deliver. We are confident that even if we die, we win. Thats the extent and power of the trust we have in him. Look at (turn)

Acts 5:40–42 NKJV

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Would that we could face the simple things in this life. And when the big things, the painful things come, and when we are helped we can help.

2 Corinthians 1:11 NKJV

you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Notice what Paul commends in them. Their prayers. I love that some of you pray for me daily. Thats humbling, scary sometimes too, lol. thanks to many persons (he was receiving the offering for the saints but also his own needs) I am humbled that you help me to pay my bills through your gifts and offerings.

Paul knows that comfort in this life comes from and through Christ via the body, our fellowship, believers. You can be comforted through the body, only by fellowship, you cannot be a lone sheep McQuade Martin sent me this scripture, which I think speaks to this, being submitted to Gods word.

Proverbs 18:1 NKJV

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

Would you receive Jesus today? Submit to your Father, giving yourself to their mercies and consolation. Not one where your worries are all taken away, but they are in their proper place, because you are looking at Jesus.

“Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer.” Charles Spurgeon

I cant promise there will be no more pain in this life, I can’t promise everything will be better, but I can promise that if you trust him, it will be different. and as your faith grows, you can and will see incredible things in your life.