Category: Comfort
Subject: Comfort
“All The Joy With Which We Rejoice For Your Sake”
There is an interesting text in 1 Thessalonians 3, where the apostle Paul expressed his concern for the spiritual welfare of the brethren in Thessalonica. He referred to a personal agony that he could not continue to endure, as he had no knowledge of how they were reacting to a present distress among them due to persecution. While in the city of Athens, he sent Timothy to them “our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ” (3:2). While it left him alone, it supplied them support and encouragement that Paul could not provide in his absence.
Paul had previously warned them that they would “suffer tribulation” (4) and it had happened as he said. There was no reason for them to be surprised. However, there was the possibility they might be “shaken by these afflictions” (3) and it was possible “the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (5). Continue reading ““All The Joy With Which We Rejoice For Your Sake””
Sermon: The God of Comfort
In 2 Corinthians 7, the apostle noted the comfort he received from Titus, when told of the Corinthians penitent hearts. God supplies comfort to His people. Often the people themselves are the source of that comfort, as they supply support and help to each other.
Persecution from Proclamation
Persecution is the lot of all who name the name of Christ. Paul made that clear in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Why would this be? It is because of Who we represent, Who we answer to. Jesus told His disciples, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 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” (John 15:18-20).
Invitation: You have answered me
Invitation by Stan Cox
Taken from Psalm 22, the Messianic prophecy includes applications to us. Though we may sometimes feel forsaken, God is never far from us. (cf. vs. 21) “Save me from the lion’s mouth… You have answered me.”
Sermon: God of All Comfort
Paul reveals God as the source of all comfort, in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. His comfort for us allows us in turn to offer comfort to others.
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Lesson 9 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.
A helpful explanation of the Lord’s words on the cross when He died for our sins. The text of Psalm 22 is used to explain the phrase.
Invitation: Bearing Burdens
Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus promises us an easy burden and light yoke. We are given instructions (Gal. 6:2) to help bear one another’s burdens.
Sermon: Comfort in Tribulation
The apostle Paul offered comfort to the Corinthians in the midst of tribulation (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). This comfort is available to all in Christ.
Sermon: Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
Those who are suffering, sorrowful, guilty of sin, and are seekers of truth, all turned to Jesus during His ministry on earth, to sit at His feet, and receive what they needed for healing, comfort, forgiveness and enlightenment. We can and should do the same today.
Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
Sermon: Your Consolation and Salvation
The sermon is based on the text of 2 Corinthians 1:3-6. We may suffer persecution and distress in our lives as Christians, but we are partakers in the suffering of Christ, and as such we have consolation and comfort as a result of our relationship to him. Of course, ultimately that consolation has an eternal application because of our hope of heaven.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
From the Preacher’s Pen: Comfort and Encouragement
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians in his first epistle to , “…warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (5:14).
It seems to me that Paul was trying to get the Thessalonians to look out for and take care of each other. Sometimes, to take care of someone, you must warn them. Tell them of the consequences of their actions, so that they will not lose their standing with God. Other Christians may need comfort. The idea of “fainthearted” here indicates someone who is discouraged or troubled in spirit. Finally, some may be weak, and need to be upheld. We need to stick with those who are struggling, including babes in Christ, and support them until they become strong, and can do the same for others.
Simply put, we are to love each other!
Stan
Mining The Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 1:3-6
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
In the beginning of his second epistle to the church in Corinth, Paul begins by praising God the Father. Specifically, he praises God for the comfort He supplies, calling Him the Father of mercies.
Paul was comforted by God throughout all the trials of his life. He gives a list of these in chapter 11 of the letter. It must be noted that the consolation is supplied “through Christ” (vs. 5).
This is the wonderful promise we receive, if we suffer with Christ, we will also receive comfort through Him. As always, our standing with God and the privileges therein enjoyed are tied to our relationship with His Son, and the Grace that God delivered through Him.
It is equally wonderful that our consolation in Christ equips us to comfort each other during tribulation or difficulty. We can raise the focus of the downtrodden above the present distress to the eternal hope that we together enjoy as brethren and children of God.
