2 Corinthians 1:1-7 – Comfort in Christ
We are now going to be looking at the book of 2nd Corinthians using a sermon series by Rev. Bruce Parnell (Stillwater RPCNA). These sermons can be found on Sermonaudio.
Paul had been in Corinth by God’s grace to preach, to evangelize, to establish a church of Jesus Christ. He’d left after a period of establishment there, and after he left there was some trouble that came on the church. He wrote a letter to the church there answering some questions and making some corrections to some of their assumptions and to their errors, and that’s what we we know as the book of the Bible called First Corinthians. Unfortunately things didn’t appear to get better and Paul wrote another letter. It’s a more stern letter of rebuke, and we don’t have that letter in existence. But after this sorrowful letter news reaches Paul that the Corinthians have responded to the correction, and that they’ve repented, they’ve followed his counsel, they’re seeking after the Lord, and Paul is so moved with joy over that, that he writes this letter to the Corinthians.
The theme in these first verses is comfort. First we see that comfort comes from God. Paul says that God is the Father of mercies. God is compassionate, showing mercy to those who need mercy. Paul names Him as the God of all comfort, saying that He comforts those who trust Him in all their tribulations.
Paul doesn’t stop there. He identifies God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is that mercy that God sends. He is the God of comfort who comforts us by sending the Lord Jesus Christ. The word comfort means with strength. With strength is comfort. With strength, God comes to us. With Christ, God comes to us. It has the idea of someone coming alongside you to help you in your hour of need.
The whole notion of needing strength and comfort implies that we are powerless, that we are broken, that we have a deep fundamental need. That deep fundamental need is that we are sinners, that we need to be healed from the brokenness of sin, that we need to be cleansed from that shame of rebellion, that we need to be reborn by faith in Jesus Christ. And it is for this purpose that Christ came. Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins.
From this saving love comes comfort in all settings. God comes to us in our sufferings and gives us strength in Christ. The Lord is present in your hour of need. He gives you strength and consolation to face tribulation.
Question
- What do these verses teach us about comfort?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks that God is the God of all comforts.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.