Remarkable Comfort

Intro

Good morning and welcome all again. This month we’ve been gathering not only to honor the role of mothers but also to explore the remarkable faith, love, hope and comfort they provide, the church's motherly function, and the ultimate comfort we find in God and Jesus. So let us dive into this together.

I remember a time when I was a pre-teen or so and was helping my dad with some home construction. He had asked me to plug in an compressor to an orange extension. When I did, little did I know that it was switched on and the surge of electricity rushed through and sparks flew. I totally freaked out but my mom was there to comfort me. I also remember after a rough break up my mom being there like Job’s friends, but the chapter 2 type friends, not the finger pointing ones. I think we forget about that first portion and just throw the bad on them. They did the heavy lifting of comfort.

I constantly get a behind the scenes view at comfort when I watch my wife with my kids. Seeing her comfort towards them is awe inspiring. I was talking to her about how I often struggle remembering specific moments of my mom’s comfort and then came to the realization that I have been blessed to always felt safe with her. As we celebrate mother’s, biological, non-biolgical, even our wives I pray we remember.

So as we continue to celebrate mothers this month we continue to reflect, appreciate and celebrate the immeasurable impact of mothers in our lives. Today, we will reflect upon the comforting role of mothers, the church as the mother of believers, and the ultimate comfort found in God and Jesus.

II. The Comforting Role of Mothers

Mothers possess a unique and nurturing capacity for comfort. Think about the moments when you experienced the soothing touch of your mother, her comforting words that calmed your fears, and her loving presence that provided solace in times of distress. We can find Scriptural support for this comforting nature of a mother's love in Isaiah 66:13, where God compares Himself to a comforting mother.

Isaiah 66:13 ESV

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

The book of Ruth shows us that In the face of immense loss and grief, Naomi's motherly love shines through. She encourages her daughters-in-law to return to their families and find new husbands, seeking security and a future. Naomi selflessly considers their well-being above her own, desiring the best for them.

Ruth 1:1–9 ESV

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

Orpah heeds Naomi's advice and departs, but Ruth clings to Naomi, expressing her unwavering loyalty and love.

As Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem, the town stirs with curiosity. When they arrive, Naomi's friends greet her, but she responds, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20, ESV). In her anguish, Naomi questions the Lord's providence and feels the weight of her sorrows. Yet, even in her pain, Naomi's motherly instinct remains intact, as she desires a secure and prosperous future for Ruth.

Naomi takes on the role of a guide, instructing Ruth on how to find favor and provision. She advises her to glean in the fields, hoping that the Lord will provide for them. Ruth listens attentively to Naomi's wise counsel, displaying humility, obedience, and a deep trust in her mother-in-law's guidance.

In the unfolding of events, we witness God's faithfulness and the beauty of Naomi's motherly comfort. Boaz, a man of character and integrity, notices Ruth's devotion to Naomi and her hard work in the fields. He extends favor and protection to Ruth, ultimately redeeming Naomi's family name. Through God's providence, Naomi's sorrow is transformed into joy, and her family line is preserved.

In Naomi, we see a picture of God's comforting love. Just as she provided guidance, wisdom, and protection to Ruth, our heavenly Father tenderly cares for us, His children. He offers solace in times of loss and guides us on the path of righteousness. In God's loving embrace, we find comfort, strength, and the assurance that He works all things together for our good.

Her example challenges us to reflect on how we can offer comfort and support to others, mirroring the motherly love we see in her character.

The Church as the Mother of Believers

As we explore the concept of motherhood, we must recognize the church's role as a spiritual mother to believers. Just as a mother offers care, guidance, and comfort to her children, the church, as the body of Christ, provides similar nurturing qualities to its members. Galatians 4:26 beautifully portrays the church as the mother of believers, pointing to the heavenly Jerusalem as our spiritual mother.

So, just as Naomi provided guidance, wisdom, and protection to Ruth, the church, as the family of God, offers a nurturing and compassionate environment for believers. The church serves as a spiritual mother, providing care, guidance, and support to those in need. It is a place where we find comfort in times of sorrow, encouragement in times of doubt, and strength in times of weakness.

In the church, we experience the love and compassion of our heavenly Father, who is the ultimate source of comfort. Just as Naomi exemplified motherly care, our Father in heaven offers solace in times of loss and adversity. He is our refuge, our stronghold, and our ever-present help in times of trouble. Through the church, we experience His comforting presence, as fellow believers extend love, support, and care to one another.

IV. Showing Comfort as the Church

Drawing from the example of a mother's comforting love, the church is called to exhibit a similar spirit of comfort. Scripture encourages believers to comfort one another, reflecting the character of our God, who is described as the "God of all comfort" in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. As the body of Christ, we are to extend compassionate care and support to those in need, just as a mother would to her children.

As the church, we are called to be a community that embodies compassionate care and support. We are to reach out to those who are hurting, lonely, or burdened, offering them the same comfort and understanding that we have received from our heavenly Father. Just as a mother's love embraces her children, we are to extend a warm and comforting embrace to those within our reach.

Romans 12:15 ESV

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

This is verse can stand alone but I suggest you read its chapter Romans 12. The context it is riding is on the idea of how to live out the faith we’ve been given. Verses 9-21 are named marks of a christian. If you are a believer you are a Christian. If you are a christian are part of the body that makes up the church. If you are part of the church then you have the same responsibility to feel challenged by Naomi’s example to share comfort.

God does not comfort us to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." (Timothy Keller)

God's Comforting Presence

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV

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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

While earthly mothers provide comfort, we must remember that our ultimate source of comfort lies in God and Jesus. The Scriptures abound with reminders of God's comforting nature. In Psalm 34:18, we find assurance that God is near to the brokenhearted. When our spirits are crushed and our hearts heavy with grief, He draws close to us, embracing us with His tender compassion. In our moments of deepest despair, He is there, providing the comfort that surpasses all understanding.

God comforts us in all our afflictions, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion)

Jesus, in His great love and mercy, extends a tender invitation to all who are weary and burdened. In Matthew 11:28-29, He beckons us to come to Him, assuring us that in Him, we will find rest for our souls. The weariness of performance based faith (another sermon)

"The comfort of the gospel lies in the fact that God's love is not based on our performance, but on the perfect work of Christ on our behalf."

and life's burdens can drain our strength and rob us of peace, but Jesus offers a refuge—a place of rest and comfort where we can find restoration for our weary hearts.

The true cure for the weariness of life is the rest that Jesus gives. Rest in Jesus is the sweetest, most blessed, most refreshing repose imaginable." (Charles H. Spurgeon)

As we navigate the challenges of life, let us remember to seek our ultimate comfort in God and Jesus. While earthly comforts are valuable and necessary, they can only offer temporary relief. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus, provide the everlasting comfort that sustains us through every trial.

Conclusion

Reflect on the main points we have explored today. We have recognized the comforting role of mothers, the church as the mother of believers, and the ultimate comfort found in God and Jesus. This is the great God we serve, The great God who has called us by name.

Let us express gratitude for the comforting love of mothers and the nurturing nature of the church. May we encourage one another to seek comfort in the presence of God and embody a spirit of compassion and care. Let us pray that God's blessing and comfort be upon all the mothers present today, and may the church continue to manifest a nurturing and comforting spirit to the world around us.

Unbeliever if you have heard God speaking to you today, the still small voice or the thundering voice as from the mountain top calling your name. Respond today, ask us questions, talk to us here in person or dm us online whatever it is. Challenge us and know that God is good and we as horeb and the chrch global are here to comfort you and guide you as naomi.

May the comforting love of Naomi and the church remind us of our calling to care for one another and point us to the unfailing comfort found in our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, as we see his faithfulness in our lives, and if you ask me, that is the greatest comfort. That as times change, ebb and flow, God’s faithfulness does not.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changes not, Thy compassion's, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me