1. COMFORT FOR THE DEPRESSED 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11

2. The Need for Comfort Paul suffered v. 5-6 Paul despaired of life v. 8-9 “outside were conflicts, inside were fears” 7:5 Daily anxiety for the churches 11:28 Elijah 1 Kings 19:4 isolation Job Job 3:20-22 perplexed Jeremiah Jer. 20:14-18 Jonah Jonah 4:3 produced by wrong attitude Paul’s growth 4:8, Philippians 1:21-23

3. God’s Comfort God provides comfort as we need it v.3-4 God provides comfort as we seek it v.9 Suffering teaches us to trust in God! Lessons are repeated until we learn them. Suffering causes us to pray to God v.11; James 5:13 Suffering can magnify God’s comfort v.5 Suffering can magnify God’s glory v.11 Suffering can magnify God’s power 12:7-10

4. God’s Comfort Suffering equips us to comfort others v.4; 7:6-7 God’s comfort also equips us 7:7 We comfort others with our presence 7:7 Comfort is based on fellowship v.11 Comfort is based on truth 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Salvation is necessary for true comfort v.6 Salvation provided relief to person in danger Salvation provided for relief to concerned ones Comfort in vain without spiritual salvation Romans 8:28