The Comfort of Christ -

The Comfort of Christ                                                                                            2 Corinthians 1:3-7

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb 3:12–13.   

It is no accident that the word translated “Comfort” is the same word used to describe the ____________________________ in the Gospel of John 14, 15, 16.

I. The ____________________ of Comfort 2 Cor 1:3                                                                the Apostle Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”—you can just tell that he is so happy in the Lord.

“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 5:20–21 

You can’t take Jesus Christ out of Christianity, and still have Christianity. You see, ____________________________, as He infuses you and gives you this comfort. 

II. Who Are the __________________ of Comfort 2 Cor 1:4                  “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” 2 Cor 1:8.           

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” 1 Sam 30:6.        The key is to run to Jesus, turn to the God of all Comfort!

He mentions “in any affliction” —and what is this affliction that he’s talking about? Affliction means, “_______________________.”

God engineers the pressure. God brings the pressure around. Why? To make _________________________. 

1:5 “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”                                                        Suffering in abundance, comfort in abundance! 

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted” Matt 5:4. No mourning—no comforting. No affliction—no comfort.

David said, “The LORD is my shepherd” Psalm 23:1. He spoke of the Lord being with him. In the still waters and in the green valleys, he spoke about the Lord. But, later on when he got into the valley of the shadow of death, he did not say, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” There, he said: “Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” Psalm 23:4. He’s not talking about the Lord; now he’s talking to the Lord.

III.  The _________________________ of Comfort 2 Cor 1:4                                                  “So that we will be able”

1:5 The word abundance means __________________.

“He took the bread, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is broken for you” 1 Cor 11:24.

David said, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” Psalm 51:17. But God comforts us, so that we may be able to comfort others.             

 Thank God that He is the God of all comfort and encouragement.