By: Troy Blalock
Recently, I had the opportunity to preach at Mebane Bible Church. In that sermon we looked at 2 Corinthians 1:3-9. In those 7 verses Paul mentions suffering or affliction 8 times. But he also mentions comfort 10 times. This passage is all about those two things. The suffering and affliction that we go through because we are in Christ but then also the comfort that we receive through Christ.
In the message I laid out 6 truths regarding suffering and comfort. 6 truths that can fortify us in our suffering and 6 truths that can help us fix our eyes on Jesus in the midst of our suffering. Here are the 6 truths that I mentioned:
- Verse 3 shows us that even in the midst of suffering the tone of a christian’s life should still be one of praise.
- This text mentions two purposes or reasons why we face suffering. Verse 4 shows us that God comforts us in our affliction so that we might be able to comfort others in their affliction. We learn to be ministers of comfort to one another.
- Verse 5 shows us that we can only receive comfort in our afflictions through Jesus. We must be united to Him by faith.
- Verse 6 show us that in suffering we are called to patiently endure.
- Verse 7 shows us that believers have a “strange hope” in our suffering.
- Lastly, verses 8 and 9 show us another purpose or reason for suffering in our lives. Sometimes God allows suffering in our lives so that we might learn to stop trusting in ourselves and trust in the God who raises the dead.
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