Message Notes

MAY-JUNE 2020
Theme: “In all our tribulation” 2 Corinthians 1:4

MORNING WORSHIP 3 May 2020
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4
Title: “In all our tribulation”

INTRODUCTION

1. A new series of Pulpit Messages

2. Theme: “In all our tribulation” 2 Corinthians 1:4

3. The word “tribulation”

a) Difficulty Matthew 7:14

b) Persecution Matthew 13:21

4. Tribulation: Covid-19 Pandemic

TRIBULATION FOREWARNED

1. Forewarning
The Lord Jesus forewarned all His disciples

a) Tribulation must be expected Matthew 5:10-12

b) Tribulation can affect people negatively

i) Parable of the Sower explained        Matthew 13:18-23

ii) The seed that fell on Stony Ground

iii) The seed died when the sun came up

iv) The seed succumbed to tribulation      Matthew 13:21

2. Faith
The Lord gave a word of strong assurance John 16:33

a) In the world there will be tribulation

b) But all may be of good cheer

i) No need to be afraid

ii) We may have good courage

c) Jesus has overcome the world

d) He gives peace to the heart

TRIBULATION IN THE FIRST CENTURY

1. The Church in Jerusalem

a) First, there was a tremendous spate of growth

b) Next, opposition came

i) The Apostles warned

ii) Jail

iii) Persecution

iv) Death

v) Scattering of the Church Acts 8:1

c) Ministry to the scattered believers 1 and 2 Peter

i) To give instruction

ii) To bring inspiration

2. The Church in the Mission Field outside Judea

a) Paul and Barnabas were the apostles sent out by the Spirit of God Acts 13:2

b) They were pioneer missionaries

c) The following were almost typical features:

i) The preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God

ii) Good and positive responses to the messages preached

iii) Disciples are made

iv) A Church is formed

v) The Church continues to grow

3. Understanding Biblical terminology/ Geography

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble (“tribulation”) which came to us in Asia” 2 Corinthians 1:8

a) Corinth

i) West of Athens

ii) Southern part of Greece

iii) Part of the Province of Achaia

b) Asia (Biblical geography)

i) This word was an old Greek word “Asia”
Used as far back as 400 BC

ii) It is to be understood as “Asia Minor” (Asia Mikra)

iii) This was part of the old country also called Anatolia

iv) It was part of the old Persian Empire

c) It is not a reference to Asia in modern times
(Modern Day Asia)

i) Made up of 49 countries

ii) Largest land mass and highest population in the world

iii) Includes Russia (Transcontinental), China, India

4. Evangelistic Work in Asia Minor

a) In Antioch, Pisidia (Turkey) Acts 13:45, 50

i) Envy

ii) Blasphemy

iii) Opposition

iv) Stirring up of people

v) Persecution

vi) Legal expulsion Acts 13:50

b) At Lystra (Turkey) Acts 14:14

i) The Apostle Paul stoned

ii) Dragged out of the city

iii) Left for dead

TRIBULATION FACED EFFECTIVELY

1. Choosing to Bless the Lord’s name
(The example of the Apostle Paul)

a) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

b) The Father of mercies

c) God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3

2. Confident of the Presence of God

a) What does it take to find this Confidence?

i) Knowledge

ii) Faith

iii) Personal experience

b) God’s comfort 2 Corinthians 1:4a

i) He is alongside us

ii) He helps us

iii) He enables us to cope

c) God’s Presence amidst All our tribulation 2 Corinthians 1:4b

i) Small tribulation

ii) Severe tribulation

3. Comforting others

a) Who may in trouble 2 Corinthians 1:4c

i) Not all know to face tribulation effectively

ii) Some may succumb easily

iii) All need to learn how we can cope better

b) With the comfort we have experienced personally 2 Corinthians 1:4d

i) Lessons learned

ii) Lessons to be shared