6-2-19 The Genuine Article

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6-2-19 Sermon Notes  “The Genuine Article” – 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

Introduction

Last week, we finished our series “Origins” in Genesis.  Now we are embarking on a 13 week series in the first five chapters of 2 Corinthians that will take us through the end of August.  Along the way, we will be reminded by the writer, Paul, of the many challenges that the members of the church in Corinth faced and how they should live in response to them.   In addition, we will once again be encouraged by the fact that Jesus is the ‘real deal’ and that a great reward is in store for us as His followers.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

2 Corinthians 1:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

 Message

Introduction – How many times do the words suffer and sufferings appear in these verses?  And, how many times do the words comfort/comforts and comforted appear?

Here comes a ‘curveball.’  Rather than presenting this message in a narrative, form, let’s try to answer the following ten questions in light of we just read.

  1. In what ways do you think that the Christ followers in Corinth suffered?
  2. What is your definition of suffering?
  3. What is your definition of comforting or being comforted?
  4. What is the significance of verse 3?
  5. In what ways, has God comforted you?
  6. How does verse 4 play out in our lives?
  7. How has your suffering comforted someone else?
  8. In what ways, have other people comforted you while you were suffering?
  9. What is the worst part of suffering?
  10. How does Psalm 23 speak to us about suffering and comfort?

Concluding Remarks and Application

Reflect on the answers to these questions.  Perhaps, you may want to discuss these questions with others.  The bottom line is that God is the ‘real deal’ when it comes to comforting us.  He is always available while even our closest and best friends may not always be there for us.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”