who Comforted Apostle Paul Finding Comfort in God who Comforted Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 1:1-7)

Founded church in Corinth. After Paul left, church became divided, tolerant to sin, pagan beliefs, & question Paul’s authority. Harsh 1st letter from Ephesus in AD.55

Founded church in Corinth. After Paul left, church became divided, tolerant to sin, pagan beliefs, challenge Paul’s authority. Harsh 1st letter from Ephesus in AD.55 Paul visited Corinth? They refused to change & challenge his apostleship. Heard from Titus most have seen their problems & willing to change. Wrote 2nd letter in AD.56 1st half – thankful 2nd half – defends himself

2 Corinthians 1:1-7 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:1-7 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

“Comfort” 1 : to give strength and hope to : CHEER 2 : to ease the grief or trouble of : CONSOLE Pacifier or “comforter”

imprisoned Falsely accused whipped, stoned humiliated hungry, cold attacked by wild animals shipwrecked

2 Cor 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles

Nothing is insignificant in your life “Life on earth is a test.” - Rick Warren The Purpose Driven Life Nothing is insignificant in your life

You are a Recipient of God’s Comfort Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, (2 Cor 1:3-4a) parakaleo (Greek) para  to the side of kaleo  to call means “to come alongside to help.”

You are a Recipient of God’s Comfort Convenience Conquering Instead of praying that God get rid of your problems, pray that God would help you thrive in your problems. The comfort of God means empowering you to face your problems; not eliminating your problems.

(2) You are an Instrument of God’s Comfort … who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor 1:4)

Mt Everest 1953 “Mountain climbers always help each other.”

(2) You are an Instrument of God’s Comfort “God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.” - John Henry Jowett 20th Century British Protestant preacher

You are both a Recipient, and an Instrument of God’s Comfort “God wants you to pass the tests of life”