TITLE: THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT 4/7/02
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1 - 4
INTRO:
I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE HAS EVER BEEN A MAN TO HAVE SUFFERED AS MUCH AS THE APOSTLE PAUL AND EVER LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. PAUL AS A CHRISTIAN FACED SOME VERY HARD TIMES. HE FACED –
· SHIPWRECK
· BEATINGS
· TIMES WHEN OTHER CHRISTIANS HAD FORSAKEN HIM
BUT EVEN THOUGH PAUL SUFFERED ALL THOSE THINGS – PAUL STILL FOUND SPACE TO PRAISE THE LORD. NOTICE HE SAYS FIRST OF ALL THAT GOD IS -
A. WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE! V.2 BLESSED BE GOD!
I BELIEVE PRAISING THE LORD IS SOMETHING THAT WE CHRISTIANS DON’T DO ENOUGH OF! AS DOUG PREACHED WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WE MURMUR AND COMPLAIN TO GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN – BUT WE FAIL TO PRAISE AND THANK HIM FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE.
NOW AS YOU STUDY 2 CORINTHIANS, YOU WILL NOTE THAT PAUL MENTIONS SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT GOD – AND THESE ARE SOME THINGS THAT OUGHT TO CAUSE US TO REJOICE. FIRST OF ALL HE SAYS –
1. HE IS THE LIVING GOD! 3:3
HEY, THE REASON I AM HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE IS SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR! THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ALL THE OTHER RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD IS THE FACT THAT THEY WORSHIP SOMEONE WHO IS STILL IN THE GRAVE – BUT WE WORHSHIP CHRIST WHO CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE! NOTICE SECONDLY, PAUL MENTIONS THAT -
2. HE IS A GOD OF GRACE AND MERCY V.2 – 3
AND I WANT TO SAY AMEN TO THAT! IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIS GRACE – NONE COULD EVER BE SAVED AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIS MERCY – ALL WOULD GO TO HELL.
B. FATHER OF MERCIES V.2
YOU SEE PAUL KNEW THAT HE NEVER HAD ANY ROOM TO EVER COMPLAIN ABOUT LIFE OR IT’S CIRCUMSTANCES - BECAUSE PAUL KNEW THAT HE WAS LUCKY JUST TO BE SAVED AND STILL ALIVE! PAUL HIMSELF WRITES IN ONE PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE -
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
I TIMOTHY 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
WE HEAR A LOT OF TALK ABOUT GRACE & MERCY – BUT MOST PEOPLE DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE WORDS ACTUALLY MEAN. THEY ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN.
GRACE = IS GOD GIVING US WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE – (SALVATION).
MERCY = IS GOD WITH HOLDING THAT WHICH WE DO DESERVE. (HELL)
AND PAUL HAD EXPERIENCED BOTH GRACE AND MERCY ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS! AND NOTICE THIRDLY THAT PAUL SAYS THAT HE IS –
3. HE IS FAITHFUL 1:18 GOD IS TRUE = FAITHFUL
IT IS HARD TO GET CHRISTIANS TO BE FAITHFUL TO GOD IN THIS DAY AND AGE – WE ARE NOT FAITHFUL TO –
· THE SERVICE –
I BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE HERE EVERY TIME THE CHURCH DOORS ARE OPENED! AND WHEN YOU FORSAKE CHURCH TO GO OUT AND PLAY AND DO YOUR OWN THING – YOU ARE SIMPLY SHOWING THAT YOU DON’T LOVE JESUS CHRIST!
· SWORD -
I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST OF YOU HERE THIS MORNING GO DAY IN AND DAY OUT WITHOUT EVER READING THE WORD OF GOD – HEY, GOD WANTS YOU TO BE FAITHFUL IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO!
· SAVIOR
AND EVEN THOUGH YOU AND I MAY TURN OUR BACKS ON HIM – AND BY THE WAY WE ALL HAVE AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN OUR LIFE – YET JESUS IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL! NOTICE FOURTHLY -
4. HE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL
ELSEWHERE AS PAUL WROTE TO THE CHURCH OF ROME PAUL SAID THIS:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
PAUL WAS SIMPLY SAYING – NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE (GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS) HE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE! YOU SAY BUT I AM –
· WICKED AND DEFILED – GOD IS AVAILABLE
· DRUNKARD – GOD IS AVAILABLE
· PORNOGRAPHER – HE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU
NOW YOU MAY BE WONDERING – WHY IS IT THAT GOD ALLOWS HIS PEOPLE TO SUFFER? WELL I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS SIMPLY THIS: WHEN YOU AND I ARE SUFFERING FROM THINGS WE CANNOT CONTROL – WE HAVE TO DEPEND UPON JESUS.
ILL. WHEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE FACED BY THE RED SEA AND AN ANGRY EGYPTIAN ARMY AND MOUNTAINS THEY COULD NOT SCALE TO THE SIDES – THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS CRY OUT TO GOD FOR HIS HELP.
ILL. WHEN SATAN CAME AGAINST JOB AND TOOK AWAY HIS FAMILY AND DESTROYED HIS HEALTH, AND WHEN ALL HIS FRIENDS HAD FORSAKEN HIM – THE ONLY ONE JOB COULD TURN TO WAS ALMIGHTY GOD.
AND IN THE MIDST OF ALL OUR TRIALS AND TRIBULATION – “HE IS the God of all comfort;” - AND THAT’S THE TITLE FOR THE MESSAGE TODAY – THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT.
NOTICE FIRST OF ALL HE IS THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT -
1. WHEN WE DOUBT
YOU MAY BE HERE THIS MORNING WITH SOME DOUBT ABOUT YOUR SALVATION – WELL LET ME ENCOURAGE YOUR HEART. DOUBT IS A PROBLEM THAT ALL OF US FACE. EVEN SOME OF THE GREATEST SAINTS OF GOD FACED DOUBT AT LEAST ONE TIME DURING THEIR LIFE.
ILL. JOHN THE BAPTIST DOUBTED WHETHER OR NOT JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH
LUKE 7:20
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
LUKE 7:22
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
ILL. THOMAS DOUBTED THE RESURECTION OF CHRIST
JOHN 20:27-28
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
SO IF YOU ARE DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION, WONDERING IF YOU ARE REALLY SAVED – WELL YOU DON’T HAVE TO DOUBT ANY MORE! IF YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED GOD’S WAY – YOU CAN NEVER LOSE SALVATION AND THE DEVIL CANNOT TAKE IT AWAY. LISTEN TO THESE COMFORTING WORDS FROM THE SCRIPTURE – FIRST OF ALL THE BIBLE SAYS THAT –
* EPHESIANS 4:30 – WE ARE SEALED TILL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION
SEALED = STAMPED WITH THE INSIGNIA OF THE KING
* JOHN 10:28 – WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN “ETERNAL” LIFE
* JOHN 10:29 – WE ARE IN THE FATHERS HAND
PAUL: SUMMED IT UP IN ROMANS 8 - BY SAYING THERE IS NOTHING IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE THAT HAS THE POWER TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST! NOW THAT’S SECURITY.
AND I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT I HAVE A SALVATION THAT DOESN’T EXIST BASED UPON THE KIND OF A LIFE I LIVE! MY SALVATION & SECURITY IS BASED UPON WHAT CHRIST DID ON THE CROSS – AND WHEN CHRIST SAID, “IT IS FINISHED” – MY SINS WERE ALL WASHED AWAY AND MY SIN DEBT HAD BEEN CANCELLED!
SO FIRST OF ALL HE IS THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT WHEN I DOUBT, NOTICE SECONDLY….
2. IN MY SORROW
ISAIAH 53:3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
EVEN JESUS HIMSELF WAS WELL AQUAINTED WITH SORROW AND GRIEF. AND IF YOU HAVE LIVED ON THIS EARTH FOR VERY LONG, YOU TOO HAVE HAD YOUR SHARE OF SORROW. WE ALL FACE ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN THIS LIFE THAT TENDS TO BREAK OUR HEARTS. EVERY DAY YOU READ THE NEWS PAPER, YOU READ OF ALL KINDS OF A –
· CAR ACCIDENT THAT HAS WIPED OUT AN ENTIRE FAMILY
· FIRE THAT HAS CONSUMED A HOME
· DEATH – BECAUSE OF SICKNESS & DISEASE
BUT I AM GLAD TO SAY, WE DON’T HAVE TO FACE OUR SORROW ALL ALONE.
GOTO JOHN 16:5 – 6, 20 - 22
HERE JESUS HAD EXPLAINED HE WAS GOING TO BE LEAVING THEM ALL VERY SOON AND THEIR HEARTS WERE FILLED WITH SORROW – BUT THEN HE COMFORTED THEIR HEARTS WHEN HE SAID, “I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN!”
LISTEN, YOU MAY BE GOING THROUGH SOME ROUGH TIMES IN YOUR LIFE, MAY-BE YOU’RE FACING SOME –
* FINANCIAL PROBLEMS – HE OWNS THE CATTLE ON A THOUSAND HILLS
* MARITAL PROBLEMS – HE’S THE ONE WHO CAN PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER –
AND KEEP IT TOGETHER – HE’S THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT!
* PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL – WITH YOUR TEACHER OR FRIENDS
* PROBLEMS AT WORK
ILL. MY WIFE WAS FACING SOME PROBLEMS WITH HER BOSS AT WORK WHO CONTINUALLY HARRASSED HER ALONG WITH SOME OTHERS – SO WE PRAYED ABOUT IT AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN SHE WENT IN TO WORK – HER BOSS WAS FIRED!
LISTEN, GOD CAN TAKE A BITTER, UNPLEASANT SITUATION AND TURN IT INTO A TIME OF COMFORT AND JOY.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 – (HE) COMFORTS “us in all our tribulation”
LET ME GIVE YOU SOME 3 WAYS THAT GOD BRINGS COMFORT TO OUR HEARTS. NOTICE FIRST OF ALL HE USES THE -
1. SCRIPTURES -
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES (INUMERABLE) THAT I HAVE BEEN HURTING ON THE INSIDE, AND WHEN I HAVE TIMES LIKE THAT – I LIKE TO GET ALONE WITH GOD AND OPEN UP THIS BOOK AND THERE READ MY SAVIOR’S COMFORTING WORDS.
NO MATTER WHAT PROBLEM YOU MAY HAVE TODAY – THIS BOOK HAS THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR NEEDS. GOD USES –
2. SAINTS –
THAT’S WHY CHURCH IS SO IMPORTANT! (GOD HELP THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAITHFUL TO THE HOUSE OF GOD) HEY, THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPOR-TUNITY TO COME AND LEND A SHOULDER FOR SOME HURTING SOUL TO COME IN AND WEEP ON IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. AND GOD HELP ALL OF US TO BE SENSITIVE TO OUR VISITORS AND LITTLE BUS KIDS’ HURTS & NEEDS. WE DON’T KNOW THEIR SITUATION AND A LOT OF THEM MAY BE HURTING DEEP INSIDE – SO WHEN WE CAN WE OUGHT TO –
· COMFORT THEM
· PUT AN ARM AROUND THEM
· GIVE THEM AN ENCOURAGING WORD
· SAY A PRAYER WITH THEM – WE MAY NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS!
3. SPIRIT –
YOU SAY PREACHER, HOW DOES HE DO THAT? I DON’T KNOW OTHER THAN TO SAY WHEN THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT IN ANY SITUATION OF LIFE – THERE IS A CALM SENSE OF PEACE – A DEEP ABIDING COMFORT IN THE HEART OF A CHRISTIAN THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT!
HE’S THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT!
3. WHEN I SIN
AND IF WE ARE HONEST – WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY WITH THAT! ALL OF US HAVE COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.
I JOHN 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT WHEN I BLOW IT BIG – AND I OFTEN DO - GOD DOES NOT –
· PUT ME ON A SHELF AND SAY YOU ARE THROUGH
· CUT ME OFF AND SAY I’LL NEVER ANSWER ANOTHER PRAYER
· CAST ME INTO HELL – EVEN THOUGH THAT’S WHAT I DESERVE
NO – HE FORGIVES, HE CLEANSES AND HE FORGETS ALL ABOUT IT! NOW I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT!
IF GOD WERE TO REMEMBER EVERY SIN I HAD EVER COMITTED – THE LIST WOULD BE LONG AND DISTINGUISHED! OH, LISTEN – WHEN I SIN –
* PSALM 86:5 SAYS – HE’S READY TO FORGIVE!
* I JOHN 1:9 SAYS – HE’S FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE!
* HEBREWS 7:25 SAYS – HE’S ABLE TO FORGIVE!
* EPHESIANS 4:32 SAYS – IN GOD’S EYES I’M ALREADY FORGIVEN!
ILL. WHEN PETER BETRAYED CHRIST (A GRIEVOUS SIN I MIGHT ADD) – HE WENT OUT AND WEPT BITTERLY, BUT JESUS CAME TO PETER, FORGAVE HIM, RESTORED HIM AND 3,000 PEOPLE WERE SAVED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST! GOD GAVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE! OH LISTEN, WE ALL BLOW IT FROM TIME TO TIME – WE ALL SIN – THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR US TO SIN, BUT WHEN WE DO – COME TO CHRIST AND HE WILL FORGIVE YOU OF ALL YOUR SIN.
2 PETER 3:9
…. GOD.. is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
HE’S THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT!
4. IN MY DEPARTURE PSALM 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
ONE OF THESE DAYS – I AM GOING TO DIE! BUT FOR THE CHRISTIAN – DEATH HAS NO GRIP, FOR WHEN THIS OLD BODY DIES – THAT’S WHEN WE CHRISTIANS REALLY START TO LIVE!
NOW THINK ABOUT IT – WHEN IT COMES YOUR TIME TO DIE - THE ONE WHO CONTROLS LIFE AND DEATH WILL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!
AND FOR THE CHRISTIAN IT WILL BE LIKE A LITTLE BABY IN THE ARMS OF HIS MOTHER AT NIGHT TIME AS THE MOTHER CARRESSES AND PUTS THE CHILD TO SLEEP. WHAT COMFORT TO KNOW THAT EVEN IN DEATH – JESUS WILL BE WITH US!
PSALM 116:15
PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS!
HEBREWS 13:5
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee
HEBREWS 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
