God of All Comfort
Knowing God • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction: This planet we call earth is a mess. It’s riddled with natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and Tsunamis which destroy property and take lives. Along with natural disasters there are small and large scale conflicts like WWI which resulted in an estimated 20 million deaths, WWII up to 85 million deaths, the Korean conflict, Vietnam and all the other smaller conflicts happening now. There is no peace on earth.
Do you all remember the twin towers? Do you remember where you were and what you were doing? Tell them what I was doing.
The entire nation was in pain and things changed - for a while at least.
All of these large scale tragedies create a great deal of pain and suffering for people. But sometimes we don’t even see that pain and suffering, and it doesn’t cause any with us. But then it knocks on our own door. A loved one dies, the house burns down, there’s an automobile accident or even something as small as the family pet dying.
Pain and tragedy are all around us; the question is, how do you deal with it? What helps you get through the mess. What comforts you during the struggle? Our passage for this morning tells us where our comfort comes from and who provides it.
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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
Transitional Sentence: God is the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort in all things.
God is our comforter
a. What is comfort.
Dictionary of Bible Themes 5805 comfort
The consolation and reassurance of those who are in distress, anxiety or need. Such comfort is an essential aspect of human relationships. Scripture declares that God comforts his people in times of distress.
Sometimes consolation takes the form of a simple hug. Sometimes it takes time sitting, and listening to provide the comfort that is needed. Sometimes comforting someone just isn’t possible. Sometimes comfort takes the form of a thing. Have you ever seen someone in a time of grief go to the store and buy something thinking that it will make them feel better. It just might do the trick - for a while.
But that brings up the question of:
b. When do we need comforting?
Quite often way too much. Life is hard.Things happen at work, at home, at school and everywhere in between. But it is during the big times that we really need comforting. Life hits all of us. Relationship breakups, divorce, the death of a loved one or a medical diagnosis that sends your life in a whole new direction.
During these times of tragedy and loss we feel pain. Deep emotional pain brought on by a lack of control and uncertainty. During these times of uncertainty we want to be seen. We want someone to comfort us. We want someone to sit with us and tell us that everything will be alright. That’s the consolation and reassurance that is comforting.
Unfortunately there isn’t always someone there who understands or someone who is willing to spend the time. Or maybe we don’t know who to turn to or how to get the comfort we need. So we isolate ourselves. Or we try to fill the void and pain in some other way. We overindulge with eating or drinking, shopping or jumping into a bad relationship that just causes more pain in the end. The world tells us that these things will fill the void. We can find happiness and joy if we buy something or do something. But it is fleeting and soon the pain and loss return, maybe even worse than before because now you lump regret and remorse on top of everything else.
It gets to the point of wanting to escape reality, escape the pain, just bring it all to an end. But there is a better way.
Begin by letting yourself cry. How many of you were told not to be a cry baby? Or that grown men don’t cry. Stuff the pain away, don’t let anyone see it. Well, crying is normal and healthy. Let the tears flow Psalm 30:5 says:
5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Joy will come again.
After you’ve cried a bit be kind to yourself. Have you ever beaten yourself up for being sad, or for crying. It’s not uncommon especially if you have been belittled all of your life for not being tough and showing your emotions.
Maybe writing your thoughts down can help. Journals and letters are a way to let out the thoughts that you may not want to express to someone else, no matter how close that person is to you. Emotions can swirl around in our heads and never settle down. Pen to paper can help settle those emotions and thoughts so you can express them and bring healing to your soul.
If writing isn’t your thing then use your words. Talk to someone. A trusted friend, family member. Find someone who will take the time to see you. When someone is listening we feel validated, when someone empathizes we feel comfort and relief.
Don’t stuff all the pain, don’t isolate yourself. Finally find true comfort.
Finally find true comfort. True comfort comes from “the God of all comfort.”
c. God will always comfort us.
During His sermon on the mount Jesus said:
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mourning comes during a time of trouble and loss and blessings will flow from it as we are comforted by God because, He is our rock, our stronghold, our safe place to run in times of trouble. He alone is the only One who can truly comfort us, who can truly come alongside us and give us what we need, the peace in the circumstances and the comfort when we feel alone, worried or fearful. He alone can give that to us, and He doesn’t give us comfort that’s fleeting, that’s just for the moment. He gives us eternal comfort, comfort that’s way greater than what we are facing.
In Him we can find rest. He is the one who loves us more than we know. He is always available to heal, repair and rebuild our lost and lonely hearts with the true and deep comfort that we need. His love, His presence, and His Word are healing gifts.
But:
2. How does God provide comfort?
a. He does a wonderful job of comforting us through the people in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 says:
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Christian Quotations Comfort
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
John Henry Jowett
So, we comfort one another. Verse 4 of our passage tells us that God comforts us so that we may be able to comfort others in their time of need. When my parents passed away it was those who had already lost their parents who did the best job of providing comfort. Those who had walked through the same dark place and knew the pain I was in could feel the pain with me. Those who didn’t know the pain yet weren’t able to relate in the same way. And now, I can do a better job of helping others walk through the dark place of losing parents because I have walked down that road.
So it is with other situations. Those who have walked through a situation can comfort others in that same situation better than those who haven’t. But that doesn’t mean that those who haven’t been there can’t help or shouldn’t try. God can use anyone at any time to help comfort someone else. Even though the person hasn’t been through it they still might understand.
No matter what is happening the community of believers provides a place of support, encouragement and shared faith.
And then He can comfort us through:
b. The Holy Spirit. Acts 9:31
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
At this point in the story of Acts the growing church is enjoying a period of peace. Persecution, for now, has come to an end. The Church is growing, prospering and people are going on in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
But how does the Holy Spirit comfort us?
The Holy Spirit in the Greek is the Parakletos, or “the one who is called to our side.” When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Parakletos comes to reside in us, always ready to assist, console, reassure, and guide us in times of distress and need. He comforts us by:
Reminding us of God’s love and presence. Holy Spirit assures us that we belong to God, that He loves us, and that He is with us. This can bring a sense of peace and security, even in the face of adversity.
Reassuring us of God’s promises. Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s promises, such as eternal life and His faithfulness. This can give us hope and encouragement, even when we don’t understand God’s plan.
Strengthening us to endure what is to come. Holy Spirit empowers us to face difficult times with strength and endurance. He can give us the courage to persevere through suffering and the ability to trust God’s plan.
Guiding and correcting us. Holy Spirit guides us in to all truth and helps us to discern God’s will. He also corrects us when we are going astray, reminding us of God’s love and desire to make us more like Jesus.
Empowering us to live a life pleasing to God. Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin and live a life that honors God. He helps us to develop spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God’s Word.
Providing a sense of peace and hope. Holy Spirit brings a sense of peace and hope that transcends our circumstances. He can calm our fears and full us with the assurance that God is in control.
Enabling us to share our faith. Holy Spirit empowers us to share our faith with others and to be a witness to God’s love. He gives us the courage to speak boldly and to share the good news.
Ultimately Holy Spirit comforts us by reminding us of God’s love, guiding us into all truth, and empowering us to live a life that honors God, even in the midst of suffering and pain.
c. Jesus (vs 5) Psalm 23:4
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
The rod and the staff are tools used by a shepherd to protect and care for his sheep. John 10:14 says:
14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
So Jesus is our Good Shepherd. His rod and staff can comfort us and His love, presence, and actions are comforting. He provides comfort by being near to the brokenhearted, offering peace, and showing empathy for those suffering. This comfort can be experienced through the Holy Spirit, scripture, prayer, and the community of believers.
Jesus comforts the brokenhearted through His closeness and understanding. He offers peace and rest to those who are weary and burdened, inviting them to come to him for relief. He understands the pain and suffering of others, showing compassion and a willingness to share in their burdens.
He is always available, He is always willing and He is always working in our lives. He performs miracles of healing, restoring both physical and spiritual wellbeing and He intercedes on behalf of believers, offers forgiveness and provides hope for the future.
So comfort is available to all those who are brokenhearted and in need. But:
3. How do we receive that comfort?
a. First of all call upon Jesus. He knows what is happening in your life and He knows what you need. Let Him take the first steps towards comforting you.
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior call upon Him and ask Him into your life so that you are not walking this life alone. It was during a time of pain and grief when my first wife died that I called out to the Lord and asked Him into my life. He was the first one who comforted me in that time and helped me along the path of healing.
He draws close to the brokenhearted.
When you call upon the Lord for comfort he will send the
b. Holy Spirit to you or will speak to you through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26 says:
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
In times of trouble and distress we seldom know how to pray. Sometimes just talking to a few friends is hard enough let alone trying to think about what to say to God. But that is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He knows what is going on inside during these times and He knows what we need and what God wants for us. He is the intermediary who intercedes for us. He brings peace and comfort.
Without the Holy Spirit times of trouble and distress would be so much worse. Only darkness, only pain. There would only be the world to turn to and the world can never comfort anyone the way the Holy Spirit can.
And then when you need to talk to others about what is going on or you need love and support from family and friends it is time to reach out and ask for help.
c. It’s time to contact someone. It’s time to reach out to the CHURCH.
Have you heard the song “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers? in that song he talks about leaning on others when you aren’t strong and need some help. One of the lines in the song goes.
“You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand We all need somebody to lean on. I just might have a problem that you’ll understand, We all need somebody to lean on.”
It seems the greatest illusion that we so often have is that other people will know when we are hurting and need a hand. When in actuality nobody knows. They can’t tell. Maybe you are hiding it well or maybe they just don’t know you well enough to tell that there is something wrong. So do what this song says - call on me, brother, when you need a hand.
Another line in the song says to - swallow your pride and ask for help. Pride often gets in the way of getting help. Pride prevents the hurting from asking for the thing they need, comforting. Just ask.
The church is full of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been through many things. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says:
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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Those who in the past have been afflicted in some way will be able to provide comfort during your times of similar affliction. There probably isn’t any affliction to endure that someone here this morning hasn’t already endured it and will be able to understand your affliction. One of us will be able to understand.
God is the God of all comfort. There is nothing that you will endure that He can’t see you through.
Exit: We’ve been dealing with tragedy since Adam and Eve took a bite out of that forbidden fruit. When tragedy befalls us we must carry on. When we are in pain and distressed by what is going on in our lives we must carry on. But God knows what is going on in your life and He can help comfort you.
God through the presence of the Jesus Christ brings comfort. God through the presence of the Holy Spirit brings comfort. God through the presence of other broken and hurting people brings comfort. God can use everything in our life to comfort us as we walk through the valleys in our lives. And God can use each of us to comfort someone else as they walk through a valley of the shadow of death.
God allows affliction in our lives so that we can lean on Him as we walk through it. God allows affliction in our lives so that we can be comforted and share that same comfort with others as they too walk through it.
Be comforted - be a comforter.
Pray:
Lean on Me - Bill Withers.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Christian Quotations Comfort
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
John Henry Jowett
