The God of all Comfort
The God of All Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Introduction:
Today we are going to start a study in 2 Corinthians. It has been a while since we have done a NT book study. I have not forgotten about the topical series “Back to the Basics.” We will get to that; right now I feel that the Lord has led me to 2 Cor.
The first two verses give us the basics about this letter.
From: Paul and Timothy
Evidently they are together and the thoughts are from both
To: Church in Corinth and all the saints in Achaia
Greeting: verse 2
Theme of the letter is to give comfort
The word comfort or a variation of occurs 10 times in verses 3-7
This theme follows throughout the entire book.
Our country, our world, today is in need to comfort; somewhere or someone to turn to in times of heartache and need. We as individuals need somewhere to turn in our own times of need.
What we need is hope, something to hang on to that will give us strength in our time of need.
Duke University did a study with rats to see how long they could swim without drowning. They divided the rats into two groups. One group was placed into a container with no hope of survival, they rats in that group swam a few minutes, tuck their heads into the water and drowned. The other group was given the hope of survival. The rats in that group swam for hours before they finally drowned.
Often today people have the idea that as long as there is life there is hope, this study showed that it is the other way around; as long as there is hope, there is life.
I. When we are hurting it is God to whom we need to turn vv. 3-4
Illustration: Ran into this illustration 2xs this week.
Little Johnny was playing with his father’s wallet when he accidentally swallowed a quarter. He went crying to him mom, choking on the quarter. They took him to a doctor, who said that the quarter was impossible to remove without surgery, they consulted a specialist who was of the same opinion. Then came a man who said he could get the money out in a jiffy. He turned little Johnny upside down and patted him with great precision on the back of neck and, sure enough, the quarter rolled out. Everyone was amazed, the father said “You must be an expert!” The man replied, “No sir I’m just a tax collector.”
Illustration:
If your car is broken down I am sure that none of you would come to me to get it fixed. If you did you would be in more trouble. You would go to the right repair man.
When we need comfort it is important to go to the right source.
People today often go to: alcohol, drugs, shopping binge, drive, loud music, etc.
All of those might give temporary comfort, but it is short lived.
1. God is the source of our comfort
He is the God of all comfort
He is able to comfort us in all our tribulation
2. God’s comfort is seen in many passages of Scripture:
Lamentations 3:22-24
Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Psalm 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
Psalm 116:5
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
3. God’s comfort is sung about in many hymns
See if any of these hymns sound familiar:
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Does Jesus Care?
I must Tell Jesus
It’s Just like His Great Love
Jesus Never Fails
Like a River Glorious
Moment by Moment
No one ever cared for me like Jesus
O God our help in ages Past
Under His Wings
What a Friend we have in Jesus
Because He Lives
Read words to “It’s Just like His Great Love” page 333
II. When we are hurting it is God who can give us comfort
The names or titles that Paul gives show us the comfort that He will give
1. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
To me this title shows how much He cares.
The Father of the one who came to purchase our salvation
The One referred to in John 3:16 as having “loved” the world
2. The Father of Mercies
He is the God of mercy to the afflicted
He gives compassion and comfort to those in need
3. The God of all comfort
He is able to give comfort in any situation, in any time of need
Often today the idea of giving comfort is helping someone forget about their need.
God does not help us forget about our need, He comforts us through the need. Is the strength and hope that we need to hang on to in the midst of it.
After giving these titles Paul says “who comforts us” The “Father of…” and the “Father of …” and the God of all comfort is the one who comforts us!!
III. When we are hurting God comforts us so that we might in turn be able to comfort others vv. 5-7
1. Our responsibility after we receive the comfort of God is to take that same comfort and use it to comfort someone else in their time of need.
If you have lost a loved one, you should be the first to offer comfort to someone else who has suffered the same.
If you have lost a job, you should be the first to offer comfort to those who suffer the same.
If you have suffered an illness, you should be the first to offer comfort to others in the same situation.
We could go on and on.
2. God’s desire is not that we curl up in a little ball and throw a pity party. We need to receive God’s comfort, and then begin to use that same comfort to comfort others in need!!
Suffering is never an easy thing
Thank God that we have someone to turn to in our times of need
Thank God that He is able to provide comfort in ALL our times of need
Thank God that He is able to use our trials to in turn help others in their time of need!!