Introduction

Good morning, my beautiful church family. We are gathered here today to embrace the word of God from John 14:16 and Psalm 23. Our focus is on the comfort God provides us during times of loss, the assurance of eternal life, and the peace found in His presence.

In John 14:16, Jesus promises,

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

And in the gentle words of Psalm 23, we're reminded,

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Both these scriptures echo the divine promise of God's comforting presence during our darkest hours and the hope of eternal life.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart." This quote beautifully encapsulates our focus today - trusting in God's good heart, even when life gets tough.

Let's bow our heads for a moment of prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together today. As we delve into Your word, open our hearts and minds to receive Your comfort, understand the hope of eternal life, and feel the peace of Your presence. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen."

God's Comfort in Times of Loss

We all have experienced loss in one form or another. It could be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, or even the loss of our sense of self. These losses can leave us feeling empty, broken, and alone. But the beautiful promise in the scriptures is that God is always there to comfort us in these times of loss.

The original Greek: The word "comfort" in the original Greek language of the New Testament is "paraklesis," which means "a calling to one's side." It implies a very close, intimate presence. When we are in pain, God doesn't just send us a comforting message from afar. He comes right to our side, walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death, and holds us close in His loving arms. This is the kind of comfort that God promises us in times of loss.

John 14:16: Jesus promises that God will send us another Helper, the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever. This Helper, or Comforter, is not a temporary fix or a fleeting feeling of relief. He is a permanent presence, a constant companion who will never leave us or forsake us. This is an incredible promise that brings immense comfort in times of loss. No matter how deep our pain, how overwhelming our grief, or how dark our despair is, we are never alone. The Comforter is always with us, providing strength, peace, and hope.

Psalm 23: This also speaks of God's comforting presence in times of loss. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we don't have to fear any evil because God is with us. His rod and His staff, symbols of His authority and protection, bring us comfort. This image of God as a Shepherd guiding and protecting His sheep is a powerful reminder of His loving care for us. Even in the midst of loss, we can find comfort in knowing that our Good Shepherd is leading us, protecting us, and comforting us.

Not a passive feeling of consolation: It is an active, powerful force that can transform our pain into peace, our sorrow into joy, and our despair into hope. It is a comfort that goes beyond our understanding, a comfort that can only come from a God who loves us with an everlasting love.

A promise of His presence: It doesn't mean that we won't feel the pain of loss, but it does mean that we won't have to face it alone. God's comfort assures us that He understands our pain, He cares about our grief, and He is there to help us through it. It is a comfort that brings healing, hope, and restoration.

A promise of hope: It is a reminder that our current pain is not the end of our story. There is a hope of eternal life, a hope of resurrection, a hope of a future where there will be no more pain, no more tears, and no more death. This hope is not just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on the promises of God.

The Hope of Eternal Life

Eternal life is not merely an extension of our mortal life, but a new, divine life in Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO