Jesus Christ Our Comforter
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
FIRST
Explain communion.
Have you ever needed comfort?
I think we all have.
I can remember several times as a young child, waking up after a nightmare. I would walk into my parents room and just lay down on the floor.
I wouldn’t wake them, I didn’t need to. Just knowing they were there was a comfort to me.
The presence of someone else, someone who could handle difficulties, brought me comfort.
When you hear the word comfort, there is likely an image that appears in your mind.
For me the image that comes to mind when I hear the word comfort is this (S).
This is each of our 4 children being held by their mom shortly after birth.
Comfort as a verb means to soothe, console, or reassure. As a noun it means relief in affliction, consolation, solace.
All of these meaning imply 2 realities.
1 - The reality of a difficulty that makes comfort necessary. 2 - The reality of a person able to bring that comfort.
Our community, county, state, nation, and world are in a time of great difficulty.
This difficulty means that we need comfort.
The need for comfort is meant to drive us to a person who can provide comfort.
The ultimate source of comfort in difficulty is Jesus Christ.
It is only when we turn to Him that we find the consolation, reassurance, and relief we so desperately need.
With these thoughts in mind we will turn to Romans 15:30-33.
Today we learn four responses in a time of crisis.
These responses require a commitment to Jesus Christ.
When our response to crisis is directed by Christ, we find comfort.
Response #1…
1. Spend Time In Prayer v. 30
1. Spend Time In Prayer v. 30
READ v. 30
The first thing I want to note is the presence of the trinity here.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ AND through the love of the Spirit, we pray to God.
It is believed that Paul wrote Romans during his third missionary journey, roughly 56-57 AD.
This would mean that Paul had recently endured beating and imprisonment in Philippi, an attack in Thessalonica, a massive riot in Ephesus, and the death of a young man in Troas.
These things are all taking place after the list of over thirty trials Paul gives in 2 Corinthians 11.
My point is this.
Paul knew what it meant to face difficulty.
Paul knew what crisis was.
He also knew the answer.
In this verse he calls on the church of God to pray with him and for him.
This call to prayer is “through the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Only those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation can know Him as Lord.
He is the Lord Jesus Christ to those who have been redeemed by His blood.
When Jesus Christ saves us by His grace we are then able to experience “the love of the Spirit.”
In this time of crisis our prayer should not be only for ourselves.
We ought to be praying for others as well.
That is what the love of the Spirit calls us to.
I love how Paul refers to prayer here.
Prayer is striving together.
In times of crisis the church of God should have prayer targets that we lift to God collectively.
To that end, I have given you 5 prayer targets on your handout.
PRAYER TARGETS
1 - God’s comfort for those suffering.
2 - God’s provision for those in need.
3 - God’s direction for our leaders.
4 - God’s power and glory to be displayed.
5 - God’s Church to be active and helpful.
We need to strive together in prayer during this time.
Strive alongside one another and for one another.
Why?
Because prayer works. Look at…
James 5:15 (S).
James 5:13, 15-16
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Just a few verses earlier it says this (S).
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Then, in v. 16 it says (S).
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer works!
Prayer changes my heart.
Prayer gets my focus on God.
Prayer makes me concerned for others.
Prayer acknowledges the ability and sufficiency of God!
Prayer is my submission to the purpose, plan, and will of God.
If this crisis has you worried and fearful. Pray.
If you find yourself starting to panic. Pray.
1 Peter 5:7 gives us this awesome reminder (S).
1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
He cares. That love and care is what took Christ to the Cross.
We pray because God hears and answers.
And so we want to praise our redeemer this morning.
Sing with me
#506 “I Will Sing Of My Redeemer” (vv. 1-2)
Pray because it works. Pray because it changes things. Pray because God cares.
This should always be our first response to crisis.
Response #2…
2. Live With Daily Purpose v. 31
2. Live With Daily Purpose v. 31
READ v. 31
Paul instructs the Roman church to pray with him about two specific requests.
First,
Deliverance from those in Judea who don’t believe.
Paul is very specific here.
It is those in Judea who don’t believe that he needs deliverance from.
I believe Paul wrote Romans at the end of his third missionary journey as he is headed back to Jerusalem.
We find this journey in Acts.
Turn with me to Acts 20:22-24 normally I would give you the page number for our pew Bible, but since there isn’t anyone here in the pews, I won’t do that today. :)
Acts 20:22-24
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul has been told by the Holy Spirit that when he gets to Jerusalem, there will be imprisonment and suffering.
In chapter 21 people tell Paul not to go because of what he will face.
Look at Acts 21:10-14.
Acts 21:10-14
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
This prayer Paul is asking the Roman believers to pray with him comes as a result of what he knows is coming.
Why is Paul so set on going to Jerusalem if he knows he will face suffering and imprisonment?
Because Jerusalem is where God wants him.
Paul had purpose!
He has been called by God to go to Jerusalem and nothing is going to stop him!
Right now our movements are restricted. We are staying at home, venturing out only if we need something essential.
These restrictions do not mean we don’t have purpose!
Many people are experiencing more family time than ever before. Don’t waste it!
Live each day with purpose. Plan things out. Plan activities. Plan times to talk with others through one of the many video chat platforms.
Share the gospel with friends and neighbors through social media.
Start a social media channel where you read Scripture or talk about Biblical issues.
If you are watching this on a DVD because you don’t have internet.
Get on the phone! Call your neighbor and check on them.
Call family.
Do something!
Have a purpose!
Paul has a purpose and he asks the church in Rome to pray with him so that his purpose wouldn’t be hindered.
Second,
Acceptance of his service by the saints in Jerusalem.
Earlier in this chapter Paul revealed that he was bringing a gift from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the church in Jerusalem.
Paul has a clear, definite purpose.
He is asking the believers in Rome to pray with him about accomplishing that purpose.
What is your purpose?
All of us have at least two broad purposes.
1 - To glorify God. 2 - To share the gospel.
Can you do those things even in the midst of a pandemic?
Absolutely!
God is glorified when we live in obedience to His Word.
We can share the gospel with our families and through means of social media and even telephone conversations.
The only limits on our ability to serve the Lord are those we set ourselves.
Paul asks this church to pray for him as he serves. To pray that his service will be welcomed and received.
This is a prayer we can all have in this time.
I ask with Paul that you would pray for me.
That as I have opportunities to minister, I would take advantage of them.
I will be praying the same for you.
In this time of crisis we need to live with purpose.
Let me be really practical. This isn’t just a spiritual truth. It applies to all of us right now.
With this stay at home order and everything, set a schedule.
Have a plan for your day and it will help.
Here are two examples I ran across.
This one is for those who have kids (S).
This one is from more of a mental health perspective, with some ideas that are good for all of us (S).
The point is, when we have a plan, things go better.
During times of crisis we need to live with purpose.
Have a purpose in your daily life and live the greater purpose we have been called to in Christ.
In Matthew 5, Jesus gives us some clear direction.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We shine as lights in a world of darkness.
Our light is meant to point people to Jesus. Is it?
Are we doing good works that are causing people to see Jesus in a different light?
This is a purpose we can live for even in the face of a pandemic.
Jesus gives us purpose outside of ourselves.
Sing with me
#506 “I Will Sing Of My Redeemer” (vv. 3-4)
Response #1. Spend time in prayer. Response #2. Live with daily purpose.
Response #3…
3. Connect With People v. 32
3. Connect With People v. 32
READ v. 32
The second list I gave you just a moment ago mentions connecting with loved ones.
This is vital.
Paul mentions two benefits of fellowship in this verse.
Benefit #1.
Joy
Being together with the saints of God brings joy.
Now, we are not able to be together right now. As Bible believing Christians we understand the necessity of obeying our authorities.
Isolation doesn’t mean we cannot have contact with each other!
I’m going to keep mentioning this until all of us are sick of hearing it.
Get on the phone! Call people.
Text, email, Facetime, zoom, Skype. Do something to interact with others!
Connecting with people is important for you and it is important for them.
Now, I can already hear the excuses. “I don’t want to bother anyone by calling them.” They are bored. Call them.
“I don’t like how I look on video’s.” No body does. Get over it.
We live in a time with incredible technology that gives us the ability to remain connected while in isolation.
Use it!
I do want to mention that all of these are poor substitutes for actually being together.
I don’t know when it will be, but there is coming a day when we will once again be able to gather together in this room.
When that day comes, believe me, there will be joy!
Until then, fellowship using the means available to you.
Bring joy through connection.
When you do, you will experience Benefit #2.
Refreshment
The idea of this word is to rest together.
Let me illustrate what refreshing one another in the body of Christ is like.
HOLD UP PHONE
I just got a new cell phone.
I got a new phone because my old one quit charging correctly.
And that was a problem. You probably know this, but when you use a cell phone throughout the day, the battery slowly dies.
At the end of the day, or sometimes in the middle of the day, it needs to be charged.
If it doesn’t get charged, bad things start to happen.
We are like cell phones. Throughout the day we are being drained of energy both physically and emotionally.
During this crisis the draining can happen even faster.
We need to be recharged! That is one of the things the body of Christ does!
Whether you feel the need for a recharge or not, others do.
So, get on the phone or use that video chat to connect with people!
Paul anticipates joy and refreshment when he visits the church in Rome.
This is what we all need right now.
Joy and refreshment come as the body of Christ connects.
Start connecting!
Jesus Christ died on the Cross for you and me.
When we place our faith in Him we become part of His body.
For a body to be healthy, its parts must be connected and communicating.
Connect with people. Jesus Christ died to make us able to connect.
Sing with me
#176 “Lead Me To Calvary” (vv. 1, 4)
Response #1. Spend time in prayer. Response #2. Live with daily purpose. Response #3. Connect with people.
Response #4.
4. Take Hold Of Peace v. 33
4. Take Hold Of Peace v. 33
READ v. 33
Paul’s desire for the Roman church is that the God of peace would be with them.
We need peace.
The Bible has a lot to say about peace.
One of the things we need to recognize is that Biblical peace is different than the peace we normally think of.
In John 14:27 Jesus said… (S).
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Worldly peace offers the absence of trial and trouble.
That is not the peace God gives.
Christians are promised times of difficulty and persecution.
For the believer, peace is not the absence of trial and trouble.
Peace is knowing that God has a plan and purpose for everything.
Peace is knowing that eternity is secure for those who place their trust in Him.
Peace comes from our confidence in who God is and what He has promised.
How does one get this kind of peace?
You must know the God of peace if you would experience the peace of God.
Romans 5:1 states (S).
Romans 5:1
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
This is where peace begins.
Until you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you cannot know true and lasting peace.
This word justified, means declared righteous.
The problem that all of us have is that we are born with a sin nature and we choose to commit acts of sin.
We are therefore sinners by nature and by choice.
Isaiah 64:6 declares that our righteousness is like a filthy rag. Therefore, we cannot earn forgiveness.
What is needed is a sacrifice. Something innocent and sinless that can take the wrath we deserve.
That is what Jesus did on the Cross.
Today we celebrate when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
People were shouting “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
But on Friday they crucified Him.
Jesus went to the Cross, bearing my sin and yours.
Look with me at Colossians 2:13-14 (S).
Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
If we want peace we must first have peace with God.
Jesus has made peace with God possible because He took the list of our offenses and nailed it to the Cross!
In order for His sacrifice to be applied to our sin, we must place our faith in Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says this (S).
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We believe. We place our faith in Jesus Christ and we are saved.
Having done that we now have peace with God.
Having peace with God means we are able to have the peace of God.
How do we do that?
Philippians 4:6-7 explains (S).
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Peace is there. It is freely offered to us, all we have to do is take it.
When we are told to be anxious for nothing the implication is that there will be things that cause anxiety to rise.
When circumstances cause us to be anxious, we are to take that to the Lord.
Now we have come full circle. We began with the importance of prayer, now we end there as well.
Here is the formula.
Anxiety rises, we bring it to the Lord in prayer, as we give Him our burdens, He gives us peace, that peace guards our hearts and our minds.
In this current crisis, there will be times of anxiety.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Take the peace He offers.
When Christ carries our burdens, we can have peace.
Sing with me
#206 “There Is A Redeemer”
Turn with me to 1Corinthians 11:23-32. This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #197 “Lamb Of Glory” (Chorus Only)
Precious Lamb of Glory
Love's most wondrous story
Heart of God's redemption of man
Worship the Lamb of Glory
The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #189 “Calvary Covers It All” (Chorus Only)
Calvary covers it all
My past with its sin and stain
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there
And Calvary covers it all
Conclusion
Conclusion
So there we have it. Four responses to crisis.
Our ability to pray, live with purpose, connect with people, and experience peace depends on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
As our intercessor, our prayers are not heard apart from Him.
He gives life purpose.
He has made us all part of His body. This is the ultimate connection.
He gives us peace.
He is the God of all comfort. The God of peace.
We cannot know peace and comfort until we know Jesus.
Have you trusted in Him?
Having heard the truth of God's Word presented, we all now have a choice.
Will we put these responses into practice, or not.
Start today.
Pray. It works.
Live with purpose. You need it.
Connect with people. This will bless you in ways you’ve never imagined.
Experience the peace of God. He will carry your burdens.
Final thought to wrap this up.
Jesus gives comfort to those who seek Him for it.
“Lord I Need You”
Sometimes when life seems gentle
And blessings flood my way
I turn my gaze away from You
And soon forget to pray
But when the sky grows darker
And courage turns to fear
My anxious voice cries upward
With words You long to hear
Chorus
Chorus
Lord I need You
When the sea of life is calm
O Lord I need You
When the wind is blowing strong
Whether trials come or cease
Keep me always on my knees
Lord I need You
Lord I need You
Verse 2
Lord help me to remember
I'm weak but You are strong
I cannot sing apart from You
For Lord You are my song
Although I'm prone to wander
And boast in all I do
Lord keep my eyes turned upward
So I depend on You
30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.