The Price of Comfort
Notes
Transcript
Comfort
Comfort
Comfort is not cheap. I remember being married for a little over a year and it was time that I get a grown up couch. I believe my wife was tired of having to sit on my hand me down couch from college. So we went furniture shopping and we bought a couch. It was probably the most expensive thing I had purchased. I promised I almost fainted in the parking lot.
So we get the couch home and I turn the TV and I sit down and it might have been the most comfortable seat I ever sat in. I was in heaven. It’s interesting that you do not know what comfort cost until it’s paid for. Initially I thought it was just comfortable to me, then I realized that it was comfortable to everyone. Typically everyone that came to my house talked about how comfortable our couch was. People who came for visits ended up taking naps, people felt at ease because of the comfort of this brown couch.
2 Corinthians chapter one said just that, “the father of mercies and God of all comfort,” Comfort in times of tribulation, trouble, and suffering. It’s always a wonderful sense of imagery to me to know that the suffering of Jesus to lead to my comfort. That even in my suffering I have comfort because God can provide it even in the most desolate situations. I’m not steadfast and faithful just because, it’s because I know and believe that no matter the circumstance there is a comfort from the Lord.
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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Who is God? We know him simply as ruler of all and the Father of Jesus. This is the nominative form of describing God. Essentially an adjective of who Jesus' father is. We know that God is described as Father. Not only the patriarch or originator of mercies but the beginning of comfort.
Mercy - also known as compassion. To show mercy or concern with the implication of sensitivity and compassion. This is something shown by God to us.
Comfort -
to cause someone to be encouraged or consoled, either by verbal or non-verbal means—‘to encourage, to console, encouragement.’
God has the ability to encourage us and console us in the midst of trouble, tragedy and oppression. God does this so that we can do the same for others. When others are oppressed, or going through trials we should be able to console or encourage them.
* Demographics of the Corinthian church is said to have some Jews but it was a largely dominated Gentile church in demographic.
We have to be mindful of the fact that Paul is writing this so that we love one another but essentially Paul is defending himself as well. The things he's writing about is also because this church began to challenge his doctrinal stances. They became OK with making a show of worship, they became OK with sexual immorality, they became OK with treating people wrong. It's hard to find comfort in a place of competition.
Grace and mercy is in surplus. God understood the demand for it therefore he sent Jesus Christ to pay for it in advance.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Recongize your surplus: Abound or to be in abundance. Essentially we have the power of Christ surrounding us like a spiritual force field.
Understand that suffering means misfortune. Christ didn't deserve what he went through but he went through it to change the world.
Affliction for the cause of the Christ is for comfort and deliverance. How many times do we just want comfort and no deliverance. Or we deliverance but do not have the patience to find joy in the midst of turmoil.
Supply and Demand
Supply and Demand
James 4:6 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
The New King James Version. (1982). (Jas 4:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Elasticity - refers the degree to which individuals, consumers or producers change their demand or the amount supplied in response to price or income changes.
Grace and mercy has the ability to stretch or meet our needs at the given time. (Romans 6:1)
Growth and Decline - Grace and Mercy in your given situation can help you grow if you let it.
Stimulus - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Stimulus - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Comfort is being in the lions den of life and God shutting their mouths.
Deliverance is the King pulling you out of the lions den and throwing your accusers in.
Comfort is walking through the furnace and knowing Jesus is in their with you. Deliverance is walking out not looking like what I have been through.
Comfort is the thorns in the flesh,