Graham has started a new series on 2 Corinthians. This week the topic is ‘Comfort’.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
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Sermon 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Comfort
Introduction
A young church received Paul’s letters of guidance and correction. How many letters he sent we are not sure, we only have the two. In his first letter Paul gives many directions. In this letter, much of his advice is being challenged by those who are reluctant to accept it (see chapter 7 verse 7), Paul repeatedly has to defend his own authority, as a result we find that Paul reveals much about himself.
“With all the saints in Achaia.” Achaia = The whole of Greece. This letter was intended for circulation.
Some passages of scripture seem loaded with information and revelation. I think this section is focused, simple, uncomplicated and direct. This section bears repeated reading.
1 Comfort exists.
2 Suffering need not be wasted.
3 Those who experience this comfort are to pass it on.
1 Comfort exists.
The source of all comfort is clearly emphasised as being God the Father.
The means of this comfort is identified as being the Holy Spirit of God. The identity of the Spirit is revealed in the Greek word “paraclete” used in the original document for “comfort”.
From Websters dictionary:
Paraclete = Par”a*clete, n. [L. paracletus, Gr. para`klhtos, from parakalei^n to call to one, to exhort, encourage; para` beside + kalei^n to call.] An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; — a term applied to the Holy Spirit.
2 Suffering need not be wasted.
Sufferings of a child of God (see v1 “saints”) are not intended to be wasted. Note, this only applies to saints or children of God.
Verse 9, suffering comes as a teacher. We are to learn to really believe that we are not the answer but that God is. I have spent time with people before they have experienced this school teacher, and afterwards. I have noticed that the difference is striking.
We experience sufferings so that we can experience comfort.
3 Those who experience this comfort are to pass it on.
We are comforted so that we can comfort.
I can pass on what I have received - comfort. I do not pass on my experiences. Sufferings and trials vary, no two situations are alike. The comfort described here is a constant, the ‘in common’ touch of the Holy Spirit and presence of Christ.
Have you agonised over something you have gone through? Possibly. Probably. But have you agonised over the experience of another? If you did it will be because of love, whether we witnessed distress, sickness, hospitalisation or even the process of dying.
Why are the Corinthians bothered (see verse 6) about Paul’s sufferings? Because they love him and have agonised over his experiences, perhaps having prayed zealously. See verse 11.
What ministry would you rather have? One that brings you the applause of many, or one that brings the Father’s comfort to the broken hearts of many people? I have already decided on my choice.
Not all are called to lead a church, go to distant lands carrying the gospel message, yet all will endure suffering and all those can give of the comfort they have received.
Conclusion
Pass this comfort on? How? How do we comfort? What did Paul mean?
