“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people” Isaiah 40: LLC Phoenix Winter Services

God and His Congregation “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.” (Isaiah 66:13) This is where we live. Promise – free of charge. Our warfare is accomplished, sins are forgiven.

God and His Congregation It pays to travel in his kingdom. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5) “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

Our Heavenly Father “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

His Son our Savior “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8,9) We are sanctified and saved through Him. We need not fear His wrath but our own flesh

God’s Word is Comfort “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31) “They are not of the world, Even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:16,17) The word of God is sure – all else is uncertain. God’s word is our comfort. With out God’s word, we are lost.

Hope “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3,4) A living hope – eternal.

Hope is not Seen “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24) “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Hope is Eternal “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13) “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) This eternal hope is given as a gift.

Joy “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful.” (Proverbs 14:13) – Joy of this world – is short lived Temporal possessions Honor Pleasure

Joy in Forgiveness “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out mine iniquities.” (Psalms 51:7-9)

Joy in Christ Jesus “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:5-8)

Joy in Heaven when one Returns Lost sheep: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7)

Joy in Fellowship is Everlasting “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:4,5) “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mine.” (Philippians 2:2) “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9,10)

Blessings of Believing “Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed.” (Psalms 127:3-5)

Blessings of Believing “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is come. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee.” (Psalms 71: 17-19)

Rejoice in the Lord “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalms 100:2) Lets sing song “Joy in heaven, joy” - #587

1.Joy in heaven, joy, everlasting joy! Joy is the angels’ hymn! Alleluia, alleluia! There saints are free from sin. From that unnumbered throng goes forth the rising song; O Lord of hosts, amen!

2.Joy in heaven, joy, / everlasting joy--- / all knowledge is complete. / We shall see Him in His beauty, / our Bridegroom we shall meet. / No language here on earth / can tell of heaven’s mirth. / O Lord of Hosts, amen! 3.Joy in heaven, joy, / everlasting joy / in our Redeemer’s love. / Nothing here is like the pleasure, / awaiting there above! / No man can comprehend / that joy that has no end! / O Lord of Hosts, amen!

4.Joy in heaven, joy, / everlasting joy / we shall adore our God --- / the Lamb once slain on Calv’ry / who bought us with His blood./ Then we shall never turn / from Him for whom we yearn. / O Lord of Hosts, amen! 5.Jesus, to that joy, / take us to that joy, / to that rejoicing throng. / Through Your death and resurrection / we soon will know their song --- / amen we sing, amen, / so shall it be, amen! / O Lord of Hosts, amen!