Introduction:

A. Why do we need a source of comfort?

1. We are strangers and outsiders in this world who will be treated as such: John 15:19
2. This world is evil and we need delivered from it: Galatians 1:3-4
3. We live among crooked and perverse people: Philippians 2:15

B. We do have that source of comfort and ourselves can help, through that same source, to comfort others:

1. God is the source of all comfort: II Corinthians 1:3
2. He comforts us and empowers us to help others: II Corinthians 1:4

I. God is a God of Compassion and Love

A. God is compassionate [mindful and sympathetic to the needs of those distressed] even beyond the boundaries we may comprehend: Isaiah 55:8-9

1. When Israel was wandering in the wilderness tempting God: Psalms 78:38
2. To Israel though they had repeatedly forsaken Him: II Kings 13:23
3. Towards Judah: II Chronicles 36:14-15
4. Jeremiah lamented: Lamentations 3:22

B. God is able to be compassionate because He is a loving God:

1. Romans 5:8
2. I John 4:7-8

C. His love however, is not a one-way street:

1. I Corinthians 8:3
2. II Corinthians 13:11
3. I John 5:3

II. God Will Comfort His People When They are Suffering

A. God’s people will always suffer how else would we know the worth of the prize?

1. Matthew 5:10-12
2. Philippians 1:29-30
3. II Timothy 3:12
4. Some would argue that God never allows righteous folks to suffer:

a. What about the prophets: Matthew 23:34
b. What about the Apostles: II Corinthians 11:21-33; cf. Romans 8:17-18
c. What about Jesus: I Peter 2:21

B. Yet, God will comfort us when we suffer for Him:

1. Through His providence here: II Timothy 4:18
2. Through His providence, by way of His fair memory, in the life to come: II Timothy 1:12

III. We Can Use What God Does to Help Comfort Others

A. Towards other brethren we ought to always be compassionate and loving as God has been with us: I Peter 3:8-9

1. Spiritually: I Corinthians 12:25

a. Let others see what God has done in your life: James 5:11
b. Let others see what you do for God: Philippians 3:7-8

2. Physically: I John 3:17

B. When we have the comfort that God provides to us, we must share it with others in need:

1. Those lost in the world we can help find comfort through the Gospel of peace as it is the good news: Romans 10:15
2. Those brethren who have suffered in the flesh we can help find comfort through what the Lord has blessed us with: Acts 4:34
3. We can simply remember how gracious the Lord has been to us individually as a reminder for those cloudy days:  II Corinthians 4:16

Conclusion:

A. God comforts those who are cast down (in this case through Paul receiving Titus and the good news he would bring): II Corinthians 7:6
B. We must comfort one another:

1. It is a command: I Thessalonians 5:11
2. The word of God can help us: I Thessalonians 4:16

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© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.