Bible Study - Grief - Reveive Comfor - Give Comfort - 2 Corinthians 1 - April 17, 2011

Bible Study – Grief – Receive Comfort – Give Comfort – April 17, 2011

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Negotiating the Maze of Grief.”
Our scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.
Receiving and giving comfort are a part of life’s journey. It is a calling for the Christian and a choice for the non-Christian. Who better to give comfort than those who have received comfort? Some people may say, “I understand what you are going through because I have been there.” Others may say, “I don’t understand what you are going through because I have never gone through what you are experiencing but I will pray with you and support you.” These statements are often meaningless to those going through a time of grief because they believe their circumstances are different. Just being available and listening often helps those experiencing grief. Let the LORD lead you as you minister to others and HE will give the words of comfort.


Grief can come as the result of sin. Christians need to keep in mind that GOD hates sin but loves the sinner. When a fellow Christian becomes involved in sin that is the time those of us who know the truth need to reach out to him or her. The Bible is very clear that those who reach out to a brother or sister in sin must keep a very close eye upon himself or herself so that they are not lured into that sin.


Often, those who have been through times of suffering will recall how GOD helped them. It may be that they went through a time of questioning GOD or railing against GOD and later discover the comfort that only GOD can provide. I know that I have told GOD that “I had a thing or two that I would discuss with HIM when I get to heaven.” Since then, I have grown Spiritually and may not understand why but have learned to trust HIM.


GOD has a plan and purpose for all of HIS children. HE gives them the freedom to choose and HE teaches through the choices they make. HIS goal is perfecting them for HIS service. Life’s circumstances are boot camp for HIS children to be fully equipped to respond to HIS call for service.


Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:1-3: Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our[1] brother: To God’s church at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia (uh KAY yuh). 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


The God of Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.


Paul was writing to the Christians in Corinth in the region of Achaia (uh KAY yuh). Corinth was the capital city of the region and was a thriving city of commerce. It was a seaport city. It was wicked, multicultural and open to many religions, especially the worship of Dianna. Its’ many pagan temples encouraged sexual immorality.


Paul had written two (2) other letters to the Corinthians, which have been lost. But the two (2) letters we do know about gives us plenty to consider.


Paul referred to himself as an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST. A question regarding his apostleship had come up and Paul needed to establish his authority as an Apostle. An Apostle was a disciple who had seen JESUS and had been called to spread the Good News of salvation. Paul saw JESUS on the road to Damascus and JESUS called him to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.


Paul included Timothy in the greeting as a witness to what Paul was writing.


Paul was writing to the Christians in Corinth and the surrounding area.


In verse 2, Paul made it clear that the GOD Christians serve is the FATHER of JESUS CHRIST, as well as, the FATHER of Christians.


In verse 3, since salvation and the miracle of rebirth come through CHRIST, Christians have the same FATHER. Salvation comes as the result of GOD’S mercy or grace. GOD is the source of salvation and because Christians are born into HIS family, HIS children will experience suffering. However, just as suffering will be a natural part of following CHRIST, GOD will comfort all Christians because HE is the source of all true lasting comfort. Non-Christians can comfort each other but real comfort comes from the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.


If you are like me, I do not like to think about suffering but many Christians around the world are suffering today because they are Christians. Many have suffered, been tortured and died for CHRIST. A Christian’s death is not the atoning death of CHRIST. CHRIST gave HIS life once and for all who would believe in HIM to pay the penalty for sin and to redeem all who would believe upon HIM as their SAVIOR.


There is physical and mental suffering but there is also suffering which comes from the anguish that comes from the heart knowledge of salvation, which loved ones reject. Christians become keenly aware of the Spiritually lost souls around them and throughout the world and grieve over those who reject CHRIST. Christians know the truth and desire for all to receive CHRIST as their SAVIOR.


Paul prepared the basis for Christians to better understand why they go through times of suffering and trials.


Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:4-7:
4 He comforts us in all our affliction,[2] so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in the endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort.


This scripture is the heart of our study. GOD comforts us, HIS children, when we are afflicted. Affliction means living under pressure. Normal living, as a human, in the world produces all sorts of problems. Being a Christian, in a world hostile to Christians, compounds those problems. Christians often forget who they are in CHRIST and the power that is available to them during times of affliction.


There are times GOD intervenes in our lives and we know that we have been spared a bad outcome. But there are times GOD allows us to go through bad times. Paul tells us why.


GOD allows Christians to go through situations and circumstances so they can experience HIS power, comfort and assurance so they can help others. Christians can empathize with those going through troubling times in their lives when they have experienced them.


Notice the number of times Paul used the word “comfort.” Just as suffering comes in a Christian’s life, so will comfort. Just as there are physical laws such as gravity, there are Spiritual assurances such as suffering results in GOD’S comfort, which enables Christians to help others.


Suffering can be a two-way street. GOD will not allow HIS children to be tempted beyond their ability to withstand. The ordeal which we go through may be to bring us into a closer relationship with HIM, which in turn may result in us being equipped to help others. When we go through situations, it is not fun but we have to trust that it is for a purpose. Now, we have to be careful that the situation we are going through is not the result of our sin. If we have sinned, we need to confess it to GOD, stop doing it, and seek GOD’S help.


Romans 8: 28 - 28 We know that all things work together[16] for the good[17] of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. GOD is in all things working to bring about the best result when Christians are involved. This is not a get out of jail free card because Christians may suffer the consequences for the things they do. But HIS children are assured that HE is involved in their lives, which could be a learning experience.


In verse 6, Paul touches on this principle when he writes, “it is for your comfort and salvation.” Christians are on a journey. Our journey begins the instant we ask CHRIST to forgive us for our sins and are born into GOD’S family. We are set aside for the purposes of GOD, which is sanctification or to be made more saint like. GOD’S goal for every child of HIS is for him or her to be made into the image of HIS SON JESUS. This process will be fully achieved the instant we leave this earth and meet HIM in heaven. At that instant a Christian’s salvation is complete. Until then Christians live upon earth either following the will of their FATHER or the will of the flesh.


It is GOD’S desire that HIS children follow HIS will because HE knows the rewards that await those who are obedient. None of us like to go through times of suffering but we have the assurance that GOD will comfort us when we do and that HE will use it according to HIS plan and purpose. It may be for our own good, as well as, to help others in times of suffering. Remember we were not made for time but for eternity. Earth is our training ground.


Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11:
8 For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in the province of • Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life. 9 However, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us; we have placed our hope in Him that He will deliver us again. 11 And you can join in helping with prayer for us, so that thanks may be given by many[3] on our[4] behalf for the gift that came to us through [the prayers of]* many.


Paul writes of a time when he and those with him faced a dire situation in Asia. They thought they would die and in fact considered them as good as dead. It was a traumatic time. They felt helpless and were sure they would die but they trusted GOD and HE delivered them.


We are not sure of the exact situation in which they were involved. One such incident was when Paul had been preaching the gospel of CHRIST in Asia or the region we know today as Turkey. This area included Ephesus, Lycia, Galatia and Bithynia. When Paul was preaching in an area around Ephesus, the silversmiths who made idols of the Greek goddess Artemis/Roman goddess Dianna became very upset with this new movement called “the Way” because it threatened their business. “The Way” was what Christians were called before they were called Christians. This event is recorded in Acts 19:23-41:
23 During that time there was a major[2] disturbance about the Way (Name for the Christian movement before it was known as Christianity). 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis,[3] provided a great deal of[4] business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost the whole province of • Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods! 27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one whom the whole province of • Asia and the world adore.” 28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Though Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of • Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going[5] into the amphitheater. 32 Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Then some of the crowd gave Alexander advice when the Jews pushed him to the front. So motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a united cry went up from all of them for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 However, when the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “Men of Ephesus! What man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great[6] Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our[7] goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are • proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you want something else, it must be decided in a legal assembly. 40 In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this, he (the city clerk) dismissed the assembly.


In verses 10-11, Paul was telling his fellow Christians that they can participate in their ministry through prayer. This is a message to Christians today. All Christians can pray. They can pray for missionaries, ministries and fellow Christians. Christians can pray through the news they hear each day. They can pray for people involved in tragedies, earthquakes, hurricanes, various accidents and they can pray for emergency personnel every time they hear a siren and the victims or circumstances they will be encountering. They can pray for the medical personnel who will tend to the injured and the list goes on.


Christians have much to do – giving and receiving comfort. Included in comfort is prayer. Christians are called to pray, comfort and minister to others as GOD leads them and as GOD has ministered and comforted them. When you are prompted to pray, PRAY!!!