The Gift of Comfort

Passion for Compassion  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  42:34
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Introduction
Introduction
Suffering and pain challenges our faith and trust in God.
Many hold to the assumption that since “God is love,” a “loving” God would not allow suffering and pain to those who are “good.”
And, since (from a human perspective) there are those who are good and who suffer, then there must not be a god!
Example: Allen (mother-in-law suffers from cancer)
The problem with this assumption, is that it ignores the reality of sin, and it promotes a defective view of God.
Suffering is a powerful test of our faith—and what foundation our faith stands.
Romans 5:12 NIV
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
In , we are given a clear theology of Christian suffering.
A theology of Christian suffering:
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV
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 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.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Suffering is a Direct Result of Original Sin.

Romans 5:12 ESV
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Text

God Can Use Suffering for a Good Purpose

2 Corinthians 1:6 ESV
6 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.
2 Cor 1:
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God Gives to Us and Through Us

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV
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 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.
Text

In Everything Trust in God

2 Corinthians 1:8–10 ESV
8 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. 9 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. 10 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.
2 Cor 1:8-
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A theology of Christian suffering:

Patiently enduring suffering deepens our appreciation of God’s character.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV
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 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.

Suffering drives us to trust God alone.

2 Corinthians 1:9 ESV
9 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.
Romans 8:28 ESV
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom

Suffering brings identification with Christ

2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV
5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
2 Cor 1:
Philippians 3:10–11 ESV
10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
2 Cor

To experience God’s comfort in the midst of our own suffering encourages and equips us to bring his comfort to those undergoing any type of suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV
4 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.
2 Corinthians 1:6 ESV
6 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.
(vv. 4, 6).
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