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• TRUE COMFORT
• WHILE THE WORLD OFFERS COMFORT IN MANY FORMS, TRUE COMFORT IS FOUND
ONLY IN CHRIST.
• Introduction
• We begin a study in which we will come face to face with where we stand
before God.
• It is a study based upon the false security that so many have about
their faith.
• In our lesson today we want to establish that God wants us to be comfortable
with our salvation.
• Introduction
• He wants us to live with hope and assurance.
• His word is intended to be something that will give us comfort as we
face trials and difficulties in this life.
• But that hope has to be realistic which means it must be based upon
what His word actually says.
• What is comfort?
• According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the word comfort
means, “1. to give strength and hope to; 2. To ease the grief or trouble
of.”
• The Greek word has multiple meanings and is translated almost evenly
as “exhort”, “beg” and “comfort”, as well
as a few other words.
• With such diversity of meaning, it is obvious that the context dictates
the meaning of this word.
• When we equate this word to comfort, its use is somewhat parallel to
our English definition as above.
• It indicates the idea of reassurance or consolation.
• Our God Is A God Of Comfort
• Romans 15:5 describes Him as the God of patience and comfort.
• 2 Corinthians 1:3 calls our God, “the Father of mercies and God
of all comfort.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, “16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ
Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation
and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good
word and work.”
• Our God Is A God Of Comfort
• John 14:16, 26, 15:26 refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Helper.”
(NKJV, NASU)
• The term is a form of the word for “comfort”.
• The KJV and ASV both describe the Holy Spirit in these texts as “the
Comforter.”
• While the term in describing the Holy Spirit is not limited to one of
comfort (He does so much more for us – hence, the term “helper”
in later versions), it certainly is something He provides for us.
• Our God Is A God Of Comfort
• Numbers of other passages describe Him as a caring God – 1 Peter
5:7, He cares for you.
• He is a God of hope and patience, mercy and grace.
• He truly is concerned about us and wants what is best.
• His message is ultimately one of hope and forgiveness and salvation.
• Our God Is A God Of Comfort
• 2 Peter 1:3 He has given us “all things that pertain to life and
godliness.”
• HE is a God of victory who has defeated the enemy and is in full control.
• Such thoughts ought to be great comfort and consolation to us as we
face so many in this world who fall far short of His image and character.
• Comfort Is Promised
• In some sense, the Christian life brings about true comfort, even as
we face difficulties or whatever might come our way.
• Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
• Luke 16:25 – in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we find
Abraham explaining to the rich man, “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember
that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil
things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.”
• Comfort Is Promised
• The ultimate “comfort” we anticipate is that found in the
eternal rest of heaven.
• 2 Corinthians 7:6 says that God comforts the downcast.
• Philippians 4:6-7 – promises us that if we will be patient and
turn to Him in prayer, “the peace of God which surpasses understanding
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
• We CAN Have Comfort
• We live in a chaotic world.
• For far too many there is very little true comfort in this life.
• There is misery, disappointment, failures, and troubles which drive
away that sense of comfort that we all crave.
• For the one who lives without any hope beyond this life, such things
can become overwhelming and even defeating.
• We CAN Have Comfort
• But the Christian, even in the face of difficulties, has a better perspective
about life which extends beyond this realm
• Colossians 3:1-2). Set your mind above, not on the earth.
• Therefore, he/she can take great comfort, even in the face of the same
trials, misery, disappointment and failures that others face.
• It is all about his or her perspective.
• We CAN Have Comfort
• Acts 9:31 says, “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee,
and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord
and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied”
• 2 Corinthians 13:11, calls upon us to “…Be of good comfort,
be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
• May we find our true comfort in Him.
• We Find Comfort In His Word
• Romans 15:4-5 says, “For whatever things were written before were
written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures
might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded
toward one another, according to Christ Jesus”
• We Find Comfort In His Word
• His message is one of hope and optimism.
• That does not mean that everything will be without troubles or sorrows.
• We know better.
• We Find Comfort In His Word
• But the overall message and the end result is truly comforting to us.
• As we study His word, especially in the difficult times, it can give
us the strength, hope and endurance we need to move ahead.
• We Are To Comfort One Another
• One of the blessings we enjoy as Christians is fellowship with our brethren.
• When we are what we ought to be, we will be there for one another.
• We will lift each other up in the difficult times.
• We Are To Comfort One Another
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 says, “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. 5For
as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through
Christ. 6Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation,
which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or
if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”
• We Are To Comfort One Another
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18, “Therefore comfort one another with these
words.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14, “11Therefore comfort each other and
edify one another, just as you also are doing. …14Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient
with all”
• We Are To Comfort One Another
• Colossians 4:8, Paul sent Tychicus to the brethren at Colossae to comfort
them. He said, “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he
may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,”
• Conversely, Paul was comforted by brethren coming to Him. 2 Corinthians
7:6-7 says, “Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us
by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation
with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire,
your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.”
• Conclusion
• Comfort is something that God wants us to have as His children.
• In His word He has provided for us all things necessary to be comforted,
even in the face of difficulties in this world.
• His word gives us comfort as does His people.
• We ought to pursue the comfort and peach He offers us.
• But it is only found if we are true to Him and His word!
• We CANNOT achieve godly comfort while refusing to submit to His will.
By Carey Scott from some material by Thomas Thornhill Jr.
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