TEXT - 1 Th 4:13KJV But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. {15} For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
INTRO: THERE ARE TIMES AND SEASONS OF LIFE THAT CAUSE US PAIN & distress. It is in these times that we need a source of comfort. God is concerned about your fears. He knows that you are but flesh. There are things that cause us to fear, sickness, death, divorce, lack of employment, the loss of relationships. The surmounting evidence of an approaching Tribulation scares us. Any or all of these things could give a person a nervous break down. In fact Jesus warned that the time would come,
Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
God seeks to comfort us in all of our trials. When speaking of the Tribulation, we are comforted with words concerning the Rapture. Whatever you are facing God can and will comfort you.
I. THE NEED TO BE COMFORTED IS A COMMON NEED.
A. You, at some time in your life, are going to come to the place that you will face something that will cause you to fear. Sooner or later, something will wound you deeply and you will need to be comforted. If you have not experienced this yet, you just have not lived long enough.
B. Paul experienced the need to be comforted - 2 Cor 1:3-9 KJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; {4}Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. {5}For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. {6}And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. {7}And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. {8}For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: {9}But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
II. JESUS UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR US TO BE COMFORTED. HE UNDERSTANDS OUR FRAME OF MIND.
A. In fact He took the time to tell the disciples he would not leave them comfortless.
1. John 14:14 KJV If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. {15}If ye love me, keep my commandments. {16}And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; {17}Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. {18}I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
2. John 16:32 KJV Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. {33} These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
B. Watch Him deal with people.
1. A woman who is sick - Matt 9:20 KJV And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: {21}For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. {22}But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
2. People going through storms - Matt 14:22 KJV And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. {23}And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. {24}But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. {25}And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. {26}And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. {27}But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
III. WHAT GOD USES TO COMFORT US.
John 16:13 KJV Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. {14}He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
A. God has three things that He uses to bring comfort into our lives when we need it.
The Word of God, The Holy Ghost, and His Church.
B. The Word of God, the Bible is a comfort to us.
1. David who had gone through many trials found comfort in the Bible.
a. Thinking of death he pens these words that reflect his confidence in the Holy Ghost and the Word of God. The rod symbolized the Word of God and the Staff the Holy Ghost.
Psa 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.
b. Psa 119:50 KJV This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. {51}The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. {52}I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
c. Psa 119:73 KJV JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. {74}They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. {75}I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. {76}Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. {77}Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. {78}Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. {79}Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. {80}Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
2. The Word of God is not like any book you have ever read.
a. Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
3. Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
4. The Holy Ghost uses the Word of God to comfort you.
a. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
B. The Holy Ghost is given to comfort us.
1. Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
2. John 14:16 KJV And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; {17}Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. {18}I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:26 KJV But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. {27}Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
3. John 15:26 KJV But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
4. John 16:7 KJV Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. {8}And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: {9}Of sin, because they believe not on me; {10}Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; {11}Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
5. The gifts of the Holy Ghost are given to comfort us.
a. 1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
b. 1 Cor 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
C. He uses the Church to comfort us.
1. 1 Th 5:11 KJV Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. {12}And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; {13}And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. {14}Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. {15}See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. {16}Rejoice evermore. {17}Pray without ceasing. {18}In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2. 1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
3. When a man fails in sin and repents comfort him. 2 Cor 2:7 KJV So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. {8}Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. {9}For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. {10}To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; {11}Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
CON. GOD HAS GIVEN TO EACH OF US THE ABILITY TO COMFORT OTHERS.
A. Just by being here you can be used to comfort others.
1. When Peter and John were told not to preach Jesus, they went to the Church for Comfort - Acts 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
B. Your prayers are a comfort to others.
1. Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
2. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
C. Just caring is a comfort -
CLOSING NOTE - No matter what the problem God can and will comfort you.
A. It is all a matter of trusting Him.
B. 2 Cor 1:3 KJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; {4}Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. {5}For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
