God of all Comfort
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
There are many times in life when we are discouraged, depressed, downtrodden and may even be at the point of despair. Many today are mourning and grieving the loss of a loved one. Perhaps you are guilt ridden over a failure even though you have confessed and sought forgiveness. Some are going through hard times of various sorts. Your mind is weary. Your heart is anxious. Your nerves are frazzled. Your body is tired. Your emotions are out of control. And your are asking “Is there anyone who can console, calm and comfort me?” Sure there is! We meet Him in this text. Paul simply calls Him “The God of all comfort.”
In v.1-2 Paul speaks of His identification (apostle), qualification (will of God), and the destination of the letter (church of God in Corinth). Paul would say, “Enough about me, let me tell you about “the God of all comfort”.
Comfort from God
Comfort from God
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
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.
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
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.
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
God Comforts
God Comforts
God comforts us in affliction
“Blessed” = praise God.
Praise Him for who He is and what He does. We may not praise Him for our affliction but we can praise Him for His comfort in our affliction.
Who is this person? He is:
He is the source of mercy and comforter
A. The God of Christ: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
B. The God of consolation: “Father of mercies”. That means compassionate pity. God cares for the burdened and afflicted. (See Psalm 103:13)
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
C. The God of comfort:
“Comfort” appears 10 times in v.3-7.
What do we mean by “comfort?”
If we went to one of the big box stores and I asked, “Where would you find comfort?” Some would take me to the food aisles; others would take me where they have pillows. Those are creature comforts. Paul is talking about a different kind of comfort.
Our word “comfort” is Latin and it is made up of two words, “with” and “strength.” To comfort someone is to give them strength. The Greek word that’s translated comfort includes the idea of relationship. It describes someone coming alongside to give you strength.
The Greek word for comfort is “parakleo”.
It means one called alongside to encourage. It is strength that comes from God to those facing the pressures of life. It does not mean ease, comfortable or escape. See John 14:18. God will help, strengthen and be an advocate.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
We are to Comfort
We are to Comfort
Look back at v. 4
He comforts us so that we may be a comfort to others
God always matches His comfort to our sufferings. “Abound” = flow into our lives. Walking with Christ, we become partners in His suffering (John 15:20).
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
As we suffer (because of Him and not our own rebellion) His comfort overflows into our lives and we are able to allow that to overflow to others.
Ultimately receiving and giving comfort comes from knowing and sharing the value of the Father and Son as our Creator and Redeemer.
I want to share a story from Charles Spurgeon.
“I remember a story of a great commander, who, having won many glorious victories, led his troops into a defile, and when there, a large body of the enemy entirely surrounded him. He knew a battle was inevitable on the morning, he therefore went round to all the tents, to hear in what condition his soldier’s minds were—whether they were dispirited or not. He came to one tent, and as he listened, he heard a man say, “There is our general; he is very brave, but he is very unwise this time; he has led us into a place where we are sure to be beaten; there are so many of the enemy’s cavalry, so many infantry:” and then the man counted up all the troops on their own side, and made them only so many. Then the commander, after he had heard the tale, gently drew aside a part of the tent, and said, “How many do you count me for? You have counted the infantry and calvary; but how many do you count me for—me, your mighty captain, who have won so many victories.” Now, Christian, I say, how many do you count Christ for? How many do you put him down for? Hast thou put him down for one? He is not one, nor a thousand: he is the “chief among ten thousand.” But he is more than that. Oh! put him down for a high figure; and when thou countest up thine aids and auxiliaries, put down Christ for all in all, for in him victory is certain—the triumph is secure.”
Greater Purpose in Afflictions
Greater Purpose in Afflictions
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.
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.
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.
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.
To make us rely on God
To make us rely on God
When we are afflicted, we are driven to a deeper reliance on God.
Paul said he and his missionary team felt like they had a death sentence
That just made them rely on God
God was doing something only He could do
building His Kingdom and the church Paul was serving
Hard times can drive us to the Lord
We feel the need more
We sense our own weakness
Set Our Hope on God
Set Our Hope on God
We know that He holds the future
We can see past the present, and hope in Him
Either to deliver us by victory here
Like the 3 Hebrews in the fiery furnace
Or deliver us by taking us home
Join together in Prayer
Join together in Prayer
Paul sincerely asked them to join the fight with him through prayer
Prayer is DOING something
Far more than out misguided friends who make it equal to positive vibes
Prayer accomplishes much.
When asked, Pray
When you see a need, Pray
When you hear of trouble, Pray
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
