Message Notes

(I) COMPREHENDING THE COMFORT OF GOD

1. Some may have difficulty comprehending the comfort of God

2. Comparison of God’s comfort to that of a mother

“As one whom his mother comforts,So I will comfort you;And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13

a) How does a good mother comfort her children?

b) In like manner (and greater) would God comfort His people

(II) COMFORT EXPERIENCED

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

1. Amidst trouble and tribulation

a) There will always be tribulation in life

b) But in every tribulation, God’s comfort may be experienced

2. Description of the Kind of Comfort we may expect

a) From God who is indeed “The Father of mercies”

b) From God who is indeed “The God of all comfort”

c) From a God who will always be there for all His children

(III) COMFORT TO BE SHARED

1. Experiences of God’s comfort were meant to be shared

2. Lessons learned about how God comforts were meant to help others

3. Challenge to reach out to people who are in need of comfort

(IV) CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SHARE THE COMFORT OF GOD

(The example of the apostle Paul)

1. Coping with suffering

The sufferings of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 1:5 )

a) As sufferings abound

b) So does the comfort of God abound

2. Meaning behind our suffering

a) It is for the salvation of people around us

b) It is for their comfort ( 2 Corinthians 1:6 )

3. A foundational truth-principle to be learned well

“…that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” 2 Corinthians 1:9