Comfort
(2 Corinthians 1:3-11)
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All of us get hurt and both physically and mentally in the course of our lives. Giving comfort is like putting a dressing on the wound. We ought to help each other overcome suffering with the comfort of words and helping hands. The more we are close to each other, the more comfort is needed. Between husbands and wives, parents and siblings, bosses and staffs, and friends.... there are wounds everywhere and that is why comfort is needed.
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1. Jesus and comfort
- As Jesus came to the earth as a human, though He is God, He was subject to all the pain and wound as Humans are and was also under enormous stress carrying the Cross of suffering in human being stead. To overcome this, He needed comfort.
1) While Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
2) Disciples as well as those with Him criticized her
3) The comfort Jesus needed - imminent suffering
4) Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
5) Holy squander
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2. Apostle Paul and comforter
1) Though the suffering is too much to bear, we can overcome them with ease with the comfort from the Holy Spirit
2) It was because of the comfort of the Holy Spirit that the gospel was preached relentlessly under harsh pressure and persecution
3) Only those who have been comforted can comfort others
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3. Comfort each other
1) People hurt each other by criticizing, attacking, and hurting
2) Comfort people with love, understanding, compliment, and sympathy
3) Comfort gives us courage and strength so that we can march forward
4) Being filled with the Holy Spirit and prayer
5) Studying the words
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One would commit a suicide if he goes through suffering without comfort and lose hope. If we have comfort that sweetens the suffering, however, we can live on with full of hopes no matter how much suffering we face.