God of All Comfort
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Comfort
2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (ESV)
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.
Sermon Outline
There is comfort that comes from God (vv3-4) that far surpasses the comforts we otherwise seek.
1. Learn to rely on the God who raises the dead.
v9 “that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead”
v8 “we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself”
2. Set your hopes on the one who will deliver.
v10“On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again”
v5 “as we share…”, v6 “it is for your comfort and salvation”
v7 “our hope for you is unshaken”
3. Persist in prayer to the one who grants blessing.
v11 “you must also help us by prayer… the blessing granted us through the prayers of many”
Prayer of Confession
Our God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, we seek your blessing. We have relied on ourselves and on things that have weakened and disappointed us. We have set our hopes on things that will never help us. We have sought your gifts, but we have not sought you, the giver of gifts. We have desired comfort so much that we have made foolish choices. Forgive us for not relying on you, and for the thoughts and words that expressed fear and resentment more than faith, hope and love. We give thanks that Jesus suffered for our salvation. Grant us an unshakable hope in you, the God who raises the dead. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
How can you tell when your desire for comfort has moved from something good you want to something you are feeling desperation for? What are the signs?
What are some things that give you comfort? Are you finding that you are forming bad habits in seeking comfort in any particular things?
Why is it beneficial to learn to rely on God? What does it look like to rely on God in a healthy way?
How can you rely on God in periods where you have doubts and are not experiencing God’s mercy and provision? What could help you mature in the midst of those times?
How can you maintain hope when you don’t understand your circumstances, feel limited in what you can do, and know that you can’t assume God will do what you want? What does hope look like then? What are you hoping in? Can you be assured God will deliver you?
Is Christ sharing in your sufferings a source of comfort for you? Why or why not?
How will the suffering of Christ for us secure a future where we are comforted?
What role does prayer play in experiencing comfort? How can you have relationships where you partner in prayer so that you seek God’s blessings with and for others?