My sermon notes for Sunday, Nov 11th as we continue a study through 2 Corinthians. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
2 Corinthians 1:3–11 – [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. [6] If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. [7] Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
[8] For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. [9] Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. [10] He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. [11] You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (ESV)
2 Cor. 1:3-11 – God’s Glorious Comfort in the Midst of Suffering
Sufferings, Trials, Pressures. WHY?
- We are not perfect people living in a perfect world, so stop thinking nothing should ever happen to us.
- We are redeemed sinners living in a fallen world.
- Our joy is in knowing what we have and who we are in Christ… as we live in this fallen world.
- We are His. Trials will come. He will comfort. HE HAS WON!
Paul had experienced MANY types of trials and suffering during his ministry. The Church of Corinth would have been very aware of these, especially those he endured because of His ministry to them. Who better to learn from when it comes to suffering and trials. We can learn much from his PRAISE and THANKSGIVING.
Paul’s words of praise
(He remembered who God was)
God is the God of comfort – v. 3
- Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In His deity, Jesus is equal to the Father. In His humanity He submitted to His Father’s will.
- Lord – His sovereign deity
- Jesus – God saves
- Christ – anointed one. The king that will defeat His enemies.
- Father of mercies – compassion, pity, patient, loving, slow to anger (for those that seek Him)
- God of comfort – by the side of another, relieve, support. (same Greek work for HOLY SPIRIT…comforter)
He comforts us in all our affliction – v. 4
- Pressures of life. LIFE IS FULL OF PRESSURES.
We receive comfort and we give comfort – v. 4
- So that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction v. 4
We are one with Christ in sufferings and comfort – v. 5
- As Christ suffered… we will suffer
- As Christ was comforted… we will be comforted
- As we live the life of obedience of following Christ and the “ministry of reconciliation”… we will suffer.
Suffering and comfort are beyond just our life – v. 6
- We must remember God’s big picture. God’s redemptive story.
- Our suffering and comfort will have an impact on others. (even if we never know)
- The church was birthed upon suffering and comfort
- We are united under these concept
We can endure because we are people of hope – v. 7
- Because we know FOR THOSE THAT ARE HIS. Comfort always follows suffering.
- The here and the later. All ready and not yet principle.
Paul’s words of thanksgiving
(He remembered what God had done)
Paul’s example and spirit of thanksgiving – vv. 8-11
GOD’S DELIVERANCE – vv. 8-10
- Paul’s hope was obviously fixed on the true hope that can only be found in God.
- He knew to not rely on self.
- His hope was on He who raises the dead.
CHURCHES PRAYERS – v. 11
- We must pray – Yet, Paul was also dependent on the intercessory pray of others.
- James 5:16 – “The prayers of a righteous man has great power”
- We pray to acknowledge His power and discover His will.
- “so that many will give thanks” – many persons… faces. Could give the idea of faces lifted up to heaven in prayer.
- Worshiping Him, Acknowledge Him, Seeking His will for them and the church.
- THANKS – not begging God to get us out of a situation, but thanking God for the opportunity to Glorify Him.