2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (ESV)

God of All Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

1. We experience suffering in God

Jeremiah 20:14 (ESV)

14
Cursed be the day
on which I was born!
The day when my mother bore me,
let it not be blessed!

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

2. We experience suffering so that we can extend comfort to others.

2 Corinthians 1:4-6 (ESV)

4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

Luke 22:31-32 (ESV)

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (ESV)

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)

11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3. We are a fellowship of the broken

2 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV)

7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

1 Corinthians 12:24-26 (ESV)

24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

4. We exalt in the glory of God

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Community, week 5