COMFORT


A. "BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT; WHO COMFORTED US IN ALL OUR AFFLICTION, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THEM THAT ARE IN ANY AFFLICTION, THROUGH THE COMFORT WHEREWITH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED OF GOD" - 2 COR. 1:3-4
  1. Of what the heart is full the mouth will speak:
    1. Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians reveal that he had gone through much affliction and sorrow
    2. At Ephesus he looked into the very face of death
  2. Our text reveals the feeling in his own heart:
    1. He cherished the comfort God gave him in moments of darkness and anger
    2. And he feels that God gives him the comfort to enable him to comfort others who may be in deep sorrow B. COMFORT - WHAT IS IT?
  3. The general idea about comfort:
    1. The common idea of comfort is to pacify the mind; to make one feel better - to encourage to ease the pressure upon the nerves in moments of distress or sorrow
    2. To show light in the midst of darkness and reassurance in the moment of despair
  4. But there are other implications in the word "comfort":
    1. The word "comfortable" is really an active word. The derivation of the English word illustrates that perhaps better than the Greek word which is translated - fort, strong
    2. Thus the deeper meaning of the word "comfort" is to strengthen; Examples: what people need in trials and in sorrow is strength, endurance - "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with my right hand of my righteousness" - Is. 41:13
    3. The word "all comfort" is most inclusive; it takes any and all eventualities into consideration; be it misfortune, trial, sickness, sorrow and death of a loved one C. WHENCE COMFORT COMES AND WHY?
  5. Note, please, how Paul speaks of God the Father:
    1. "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" - 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3, 17; I Pet. 1:3
    2. By using this title Paul connects with the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord
    3. "The Father of mercies" - Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 25:6; 40:11; by this Paul shows that God has compassion on us and treats us accordingly
    4. "The God of all comfort" - Matt. 9:22; Luke 8:48; Is. 40:1; 51:3
  6. Why comfort comes:
    1. God's close attachment to humanity is one of the main springs of His comfort, "In all their affliction he was afflicted" - Is. 63:9
    2. He was wounded and bruised in the person of His only begotten Son - Is. 53:5-6
    3. His intimate love is another reason for the comfort God gives those who are in sorrow
    4. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee" - Jer. 31:3
    5. "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee, therefore, will I give men for thee, and people for thy life" - Is. 43:4
  7. But there is still another reason why God comforts us in trials and sorrow:
    1. That we can honestly, sympathetically comfort others who pass through the same trials and sorrows
    2. Only when we know from experience what comfort does for our wounded heart shall we be able to put ointment of the wounded hearts of others
    3. Only as we learn from experience what it means to be strengthened to bear our sorrows, can we point others to the God of all comfort
  8. Some important assurances of the loved ones that are layed to rest and to our consolation:
    1. To know that they have fallen asleep in Jesus will ease our sorrows
    2. When we know that they had peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord is reassuring
    3. When we know their firm faith in God who has promised to raise the dead


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