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The Comfort of the Servant and His Hope

This passage from the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians explores the concept of comfort and its importance in times of suffering. It discusses how God comforts His servants during tribulation so that they can in turn comfort others. The text highlights the steadfast hope that comes from knowing that as believers partake in suffering, they will also partake in God's consolation.

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The Comfort of the Servant and His Hope

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  1. “The comfort of the Servant and His hope” 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians 2Cor.1:3-7

  2. 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 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. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now 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. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

  3. 3Blessed 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 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. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now 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. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

  4. Nabil’s Definition of Comfort: Finding my favorite chair, kicking my shoes off and reclining back with a diet coke in one hand and the TV remote in the other and several of my favorite movies on DVD. The phone is off the hook, the kids are at school, Sherry is working and making me money, and the doorbell is not working! (And don’t forget the Pistachios)

  5. Key word – Comfort (29 x’s in 2 Cor.) • Yet many references to “suffering” also. – We’ll see they often go hand in hand! • COMFORT! (3-7) • St. Paul addresses one of the oldest questions of man…“Why suffering?” • His answer is 3-fold: Christians Need Comfort; Christians Receive Comfort; Christians Share Comfort. • Matt. 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

  6. Let’s define…Comfort/Paraklete– (Para=alongside; Kaleo=to call) “to call alongside” • This word was used in court of a legal assistant, the defendant's advocate, the counsel for the defense. God comforts us in our trials much like a lawyer comes to the defense of someone who is on trial.He remains by our side. He gives us advice in His Word. He explains to us much of what is going on. He stands up in defense of us. He proclaims our innocence to the judge. In all these ways, He is being a comforter

  7. John 14:16-18 "... I will ask the Father, and He will give you another (Paraklete), that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."God has promised to be by our side, comforting us, never leaving us alone. The Holy Spirit won't leave us as orphans - He abides in us. He strengthens us.

  8. Everyone needs comfort…even Christ and the apostles, (Our Lord Jesus in Gethsemane, St. Paul, disciples “sending the comforter”). • When tragedy strikes, when our life collapses before our eyes, that’s when we need someone to come alongside & put an arm around us. • Example of nurse/child

  9. The law of flow and overflow! • When a cup is filled to overflowing, whatever spills over the edge is the same as what's being poured in. • If suffering is poured into a Christian, the Christian will overflow. But what spills over is different from what is poured in. • Suffering goes in but comfort comes out. • There is a blessed proportion!(sufferings/comforts) • The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales - in this side he puts his people’s trials, and in that he puts their consolations. • When you suffer, avoid self-pity, because self-pity will turn you into a reservoir instead of a channel.

  10. Q: How have you experienced God’s comfort during times of difficulty & pain? • IF Yes, Then: • God’s comfort is not given; it is loaned, & you are expected to pass it on to others.” • God seeks chain reaction comfort…pass it on! “God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.”

  11. Different Levels of comfort for: • Little children have to deal with monsters or bad guys under the bed. • Social pressure • Sickness • Tragedy

  12. Not only is God in full control at all times in these situations, but He is also always offering you comfort. Jesus said,Matt. 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." • Phil. 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  13. Q: Have you gone through any sufferings? How have you used them? Rom.8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Ex: Amber, MADD • Q: When you know someone around you is suffering, how do you respond? Do you agonize with them, or does it give you 5 minutes concern? • “You must live with people to know their problems, and live with God in order to solve them.”

  14. It always takes us by surprise, and often, it makes us think that our world is about to fall apart. But 1Pet. 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you Don't think it's strange when you suffer. It's normal. God is using these things to show you where you're at. They're simply tests to demonstrate to you exactly where you're at in your walk and relationship with God. Story of 3year Old…….Never be a critic or a Judge

  15. Enduring = upomonh(upomone), not bleak acceptance of trouble, but triumph. • Don’t just except suffering, but triumph over it. • Often we start well in our sufferings, often holding on to it Yet after “a whole day” we fizzle fast! • The cheetah survives by running down its prey. The big cat can sprint seventy miles per hour. But the cheetah cannot sustain that pace for long. Within its long, sleek body is a disproportionately small heart, which causes the cheetah to tire quickly. Unless the cheetah catches its prey in the first flurry, it must abandon the chase

  16. I rejoice in knowing that... • There is no oil without squeezing the olives, • No wine without pressing the grapes, • No fragrance without crushing the flowers, and • No real joy without sorrow.

  17. How to comfort the students • Do be a good listener. Answer briefly any questions. • Do show extreme sensitivity. • Do remember words aren’t always necessary(in giving comfort). • Do allow them to express whatever emotion they are comfortable with. • Do remember the others who are grieving also.

  18. What I Shouldn’t tell or do to the student • Don’t avoid him/her. • Don’t wait for them to reach out to you, reach out to them. • Don’t be critical of the person’s actions. • Don’t ask countless loaded questions.

  19. Don’t say, “I know what you are going through.” Everyone’s grief is unique. • Don’t try to answer when they ask “Why?” • Don’t try to have “all” the answers. • Don’t give, cliches or expressions, such as, “Time heals all wounds”, “The Lord knows best”, God doesn’t make mistakes.” (These are true but they don’t necessarily bring comfort at this time) • Don’t tell them about similar incidents.

  20. So always remember this verse: • 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.

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