Week 2 - Sharing in Christ's Afflictions and Comfort

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thanks to Normans and those who came out

Also had fun Wednesday with Kids Min cooking dinner

Youth outing today

Council meeting this week

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard and paper connect Card

Text keyword “prayer” to 217-583-1112 for prayer

Giving: box, web, app, mail

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY: Sharing in Christ’s Afflictions and Comfort

Opening Scripture:

2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV

5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Share in Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”

1. God of mercies and all comfort

(vv. 3–4)

2. We are able to comfort others

(v. 4)

3. The privilege of sharing Christ’s sufferings

(v. 5)

4. Both our afflictions and comfort enable us to comfort others

(v. 6–7)

Share in Affliction

2 Corinthians 1:8–11 “8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

1. Afflictions teach us to rely on God

(vv. 8–9)

2. There is hope for future deliverance

(v. 10)

3. The role of prayer

(vv. 10–11)

Conclusion/Reflection:

Who can you be connected to in prayer as Paul describes?

TALK IT OVER

What does Paul say is the purpose for his suffering?

Paul has reached a point where the night has become totally dark and all hope of dawn has disappeared. His burden is heavy and his natural resources of energy are worn down to nothing. What else is Paul hoping for in describing all of this to the Corinthians in 1:8–14?

Who can you be connected to in prayer as Paul describes?