God Heals Heartache

Intro:

2 Corinthians 1:1–4 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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 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.

Tonight, we will begin a new series through the book of have titled this series, [Matters of the Heart], and the subject of my message is, [God Heals Heartache].

About five years ago, I had a friend who told me about a speech I needed to hear. I asked, what is the subject? She replied, it is about vulnerability. I thought, well, I am not sure if that excites me, but I will give it a try.

About five years ago, I had a friend who told me about a speech I needed to hear. I asked, what is the subject? She replied, it is about vulnerability. I thought, well, I am not sure if that excites me, but I will give it a try.

In the speech, the lecturer discussed in her studies, the happiest people she met are the ones who are willing to be vulnerable. The ones who are willing to say, I love you, even if they do not hear it back.

The ones who are willing to apologize even if they are not forgiven. They ones who are willing to put themselves out there, even if they are not accepted.

In her findings, she discovered, that vulnerable people know where they stand with others because they are not afraid to be honest with themselves and with others.

As I studied in preparation for this message, I thought about that podcast I heard. Vulnerable people are happy people. As we study through this book, we will see that Paul was extremely vulnerable.

In fact, bible scholars explain that this book is Paul’s most unorganized. He wrote about one topic and seemed to quickly change to another. However, in this letter, Paul wrote and dealt with matters of the heart.

Paul stripped every hinderance as he wrote to a church that he deeply loved, but one that deeply hurt him. A while back, we studied Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.

It was obvious he loved them, as it was his longest recorded letter to a church. He was concerned about their spiritual well-being. Even though he was reluctant to go there in the first place, he saw the potential God had for the church in Corinth.

Therefore, he chose to speak to the truth in love. When he heard there was infidelity, misuse of the gifts, and improper reception of communion, Paul made the decision to correct and guide the church he deeply loved.

Sadly, Paul’s instructions, while recieved by many, were rejected by others. False teachers capitalized on the Corinthian’s cool reception to his letter.

Now a church in conflict turned into a church in chaos. People that Paul loved, led to the Lord, prayed for, and helped in times past had fell under the spell of those who hated Paul.

These false teachers dug their heels in deep. They refused to leave and did all they could to discredit Paul, which wounded him deeply.

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It is one thing when people we do not know talk about us and believe lies about us. It is another thing when those we love and consider friends believe lies and gossip about us.

When these situations occur, we have two options. We can bury it deep down, let the hurt fester, and watch it grow into bitterness. Or we can choose to be vulnerable and seek a reconciliation, even if that means saying something first.

In verses three and four, Paul blessed the Lord and praised Him. What was his specific reason for prayer? Because God comforts us when we are in trouble and tribulation.

In chapter one, we will

Paul’s specific hurt in this situation was the ready acceptance by the Corinthians of the lies and slander that had been spoke about him. Therefore, Paul used this letter to set the record strait, defend his record, and give an avenue of reconciliation.

As we look at [Matters of the Heart], we will first see that [God Heals Heartache]. I have three points, [Hope and Heartache], [Help and Heartache], and [The Holy Spirit and Heartache].

Let’s begin

1. Hope and Heartache

2 Corinthians 1:5–7 NKJV

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 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. 7 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.

Evidently Paul faced severe hurt and heartache by the situation with the Corinthians. While Paul had experienced severe attacks before, this time it was not just physical, it was personal.

Even while he was hurt, Paul used his hurt as a way to teach the Corinthians on what God teachers us when we hurt. Many have asked, why does God allow hurt, heartache, or suffering?

C.S. Lewis feels, “pain is God’s megaphone.”

In his book, Where is God When it Hurts?, Phillip Yancy explains, “the sensation of pain is a gift.”

In a study conducted by a doctor who specializes in Hansen’s Disease, which is modern day leprosy, he recognized the importance of pain. Leprosy is a disease that removes people sensors that tell them they are in pain.

That is why lepers will have chewed off fingers, oozing sores, and other deformities. They have major problems, but they do not feel the pain because they are incapable.

One man in the study was a furniture salesman. He dressed meticulously, with shoes that were entirely too small. When he removed his shoes and socks, his feet were injured, black, blue, and deformed.

But it didn’t seem to bother him, for he could not feel pain. Eventually, he would lose the ability to walk, but he did not see the danger, he could not feel the pain.

While pain is not enjoyable, it tells us when an arm is broken. Or chest pain tells us something is wrong with our heart. Pain shows us something is not right and it needs to be fixed.

While we do not stand up and testify about our pain and suffering, Paul wants us to have the proper perspective on heartache. When we view it the right way, we can have hope.

Why? Because when we make it through the heartache, we have hope that we can comfort others. Verse four, God comforts us in our tribulation so that we might be able to comfort others in their time of trouble.

Paul shared his difficulties with the church, not so they might pity him or that they might pet him and bless his heart. He wanted them to understand, I have hope in my heartache.

My hope is this, as I share with you what is happening in my life, you will be able to partake in the comfort and peace of God the Father. By teaching this to them, he prepared them for when they faced severe heartache!

When our heart hurts, there is hope that God will comfort us and it will not last forever.

2. Help in Heartache

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Something difficult happened to Paul when he was in Asia. Paul was not specific about it, but he showed that even when they faced severe burdens, even when their life was in despair, even when it seemed that they would not live, they trusted that God would help them.

When suffering occurs, it can teach us not to trust in our selves, but to trust in the Lord.

Psalm 121:1–2 NKJV

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121 NKJV

A Song of Ascents. 1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 122:1 NKJV

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Too often, people trust in their own wisdom, insight, and determination to get over their problems. But here is Paul who testified, the only reason I have survived is because God delivered me!

I did not fear for my life because I know the one who raises the dead. Therefore, we can trust in the Lord that He will help us, regardless of what our circumstances say.

What was the reason for Paul’s hurt and heartache with the Corinthians?

2 Corinthians 1:12–14 NKJV

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

As we looked in our study through 1 Corinthians, Paul loved the church in Corinth. His connection with them began when he was sent their on assignment.

God told him to go there and when he arrived he did not want to stay. However, God spoke to Him in a dream, and promised Him, I have many people in this city.

Paul stayed their for a year-and-a-half. However, carnality took over after he left. Paul had two choices, let them continue in sin, or do what he can to help them?

Paul chose to help them, because he loved them. After he wrote his first letter, he wrote another letter that has been lost in time. However, when Paul wrote these letter, his sole desire was to help them.

Now, the people he wanted to help caused him heartache. What as the source of the heartache? People in the church accused Paul of being a liar.

Paul told them, I intended to come and visit you. Paul wanted to come, he planned to come, he desired to come, but the Lord would not permit it at this time.

Because of Paul’s absence, those who didn’t like Paul began to tell people, “see Paul is not a man of his word. You can’t trust Paul. He told us he could come and visit, and he lied. If he would lie about that, how can we believe that he would tell the truth about the gospel?”

Word got back to Paul that people were lying about him. That is why Paul asked them,

, NLT,  “You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.”

It can be very hurtful when someone misconstrues or lies about something that they claimed we said. More often than not, we are taken out of context, because they person heard what they wanted.

The false teachers did this to Paul, but Paul reminded them how he felt about his word.

If I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t have sent Timothy or Silas. Both of them came in my place to preach the truth to you. They did not waiver in teaching the truth, and I do not waiver in teaching the truth, for God always tells the truth.

Seeing how recklessly they attacked Paul, why did he even bother in addressing them? Because he wanted to help them through this heartache. He wanted to use this as a tool to teach them on how to handle conflict.

When the enemy brings conflict, too often the culprit is THE TONGUE. People say things they didn’t mean or are taken out of context and division soon follows.

So Paul did the right things. Notice, he did not write about this to the church in Ephesus, Philippi, or Crete. He did not badmouth the church in Corinth to other churches.

Instead, he went to the source, hoping that the Lord would bring help through his heartache. How was Paul able to handle this with such class?

3. The Holy Spirit and Heartache

How could Paul have such a Godly perspective on his heartache? He was close to God through the Holy Spirit. I absolutely love verse twenty-two. We see that we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

In ancient days, they would seal their letters with their signet ring. This ring had a the family seal or crest. It would be dipped in wax, proving that the letter or document was verified and true.

As a follower of Christ, we belong to God. If the enemy tries to get us to question our position in Christ, then we remind him, God has given us the Holy Spirit.

When we have the Holy Spirit, which we recieved at salvation, and when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, which occurs after salvation, He gives us insight into all God has promised us!

Through the Holy Spirit, we have the deposit, down payment, or guarantee of God’s promises to us! So, when heartaches, disappointments, and difficulties arise, we can go to God in prayer.

As we pray, the Holy Spirit shows us the bigger picture. He reminds us of all that God has waiting for us. He gives us a downpayment or peace, joy, help, love, or hope.

How did Paul muster the strength to forgive the false accusers? The Holy Spirit showed him that he made the right decision. It would not have been wise for Paul to go to Corinth when he planned.

He had just written a severe letter that called for correction. Had he come right after writing the letter, people might have felt they were dealing with a dictator and not an apostle.

He wanted to give them time to understand his heart and grow in their faith. Of course he made the right decision, but the Holy Spirit gave him confidence in the process.

Close:

Pain, heartache, hurts, and forgiveness is not a topic that inspires much excitement. When it is discussed, we fall in a number of categories:

we may be hurt and have heartache because of someone’s actions or words.

We might be the source of someone’s heartaches or hurts because of our actions or words.

We might have caused the hurt and be hurt at the same time.

Or we might remember when someone hurt us and caused us heartache.

Regardless of our setting, heartache is not exciting. However, God wants to give us the proper perspective on heartache. He wants us to keep our hope that one day the hurt will heal. Then, we will be able to help others as they face heartache.

How is this possible?

It will not happen by trying to compartmentalize and separate our feelings into categories in our brains. It will not happen by trying to avoid the problem and pretend it doesn’t exist. And it will not happen by becoming bitter and trying to hurt those who hurt us.

It will only occur by repenting of our actions in the situation. Asking the Lord to forgive us if we did any wrong. Then depend on the Holy Spirit to speak peace, help, wisdom, and guidance to us.

God heals heartache for He promised:

Psalm 147:3 NKJV

3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Matthew 5:11–12 NKJV

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

While pain is not pleasureable, it is necessary. IT shows us something is wrong and points us to the only one who can fix our problems!

So our aim tonight is, Lord, whether I am hurt, have hurt someone, and can remember times when hurt was evident in my life, I ask for the Holy Spirit to help me see from His perspective!

Pour out Your Spirit upon me!