Praise be to God!


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The Comfort We Need He Aint Heavy #5 : Ron Stubbs

[Welcome/Context/Prayer] Praise! Praise be to God! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” [v.3a] What a great way to begin a letter… Praise be to God/Blessed be the God [ESV]/Thanksgiving to God. When we start with praise, it brings everything else into perspective. It changes our focus from on ourselves to focusing on God. Praise Provides Perspective! • •



In almost every one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, right after his greeting, he begins with Praise/Blessings/Thanksgiving. This morning, to begin our Worship Service, the teams wonderfully led us in a time of praising and glorifying God. In the Classic service you sang In the Catalyst service we sang How does praise fit into your life? Do you make time for it? In Philippians 4:8, Paul says, “if anything is excellent or worthy of praise-think about such things”

Try it out. In fact, tomorrow morning when you wake up and begin to think about all the responsibilities and pressures of that day or week, switch it over. Intentionally switch your thoughts over to–as Paul said–anything that is excellent or worthy of praise. Think about God your Father, think about his son, Jesus Christ! And then I love how naturally Paul moves from praising God to being mindful of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Throughout his letters, Paul is always mindful of his relationship with Jesus. That’s what defined him, who he was in Christ. Jesus was his message–his purpose–his life. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21 Now Paul had a lot of things to praise God for, but in this passage he had something specific. Often when we think about praising God, we think of his greatness/his majesty and glory /the God of creation/an almighty, powerful and sovereign God. But here in 2 Corinthians, Paul wasn’t focusing on these types of attributes, but on a softer side of who God is that is more loving and nurturing. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,” (v.3) Now I don’t know how you would describe your earthly Father, you Dad–hopefully the word loving would be high on that list–but regardless of that, your heavenly Father is a God of love, who is compassionate & merciful & caring & comforting. And because of that, what happens…? “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,” [v.4] Paul understood troubles, trials, and afflictions. He knew suffering all too well. – I’ll come back to that in a minute. But what about you? How familiar are you with troubles and trials? What do your struggles look like? What challenges have you been facing lately? If we took the time this morning to open it up for sharing, we would hear some remarkable and overwhelming stories of suffering. Stories of challenges you have faced or are currently facing. Every one of us has a story that has shaped us and influenced who we are today. And a big part of that story will include adversity. Now some of those stories may seem to be worse than others but that’s not what matters, because regardless of the severity, it’s your story, and your story matters. And when we are walking through that trial, we need God’s comfort. God’s “comfort in all our troubles” [vs. 3], or as James 1:2 says, “when we face trials of many kinds” [That’s one thing I appreciate about being a counsellor, I have the privilege of hearing peoples stories–meaningful and life changing stories–that have impacted who they are today]. I think we can put these “trials of many kinds” into 4 categories that frequently need comforting.

1. Physical trials – Any health related concern–an injury or an accident–an illness or disease– physical pain & suffering–facing limitations, especially as we age–or ultimately even issues of death and dying. This is the category we tend to share most often with others. Despite the hardship of physical suffering I suppose it feels less threatening to be vulnerable in this area. i. We need God’s comfort in our physical trials. 2. Relational trials – Relationships can be challenging, can’t they? Relationships with friends, co-workers, extended family, or between a parent and their child, especially if they are a teenager, or maybe most common, a husband and wife conflict. Although relationships are often wonderful, they frequently come with times of tension, hurt, or even betrayal. i. We need God’s comfort in our relational trials 3. Spiritual trials – This could come in the form of going through a dry time in your walk with God. Feeling distant or separated in your relationship with Christ. Struggling with doubt, unanswered questions, or even questioning you faith. Or maybe it could be a spiritual warfare type of trial, where the enemy keeps on hammering on you, lying to you, tempting you in an area you just can’t seem to overcome. i. We need God’s comfort in out Spiritual trials. 4. Emotional trials – Sometimes we neglect this one, but just as we struggle with physical health, we also can struggle with mental health or our emotional well-being. Maybe it’s a struggle with anxiety or fear that can be paralyze. Or a battle with anger that has turned into resentment. Or depression that robs us of our joy, leaving us feeling down, discouraged, or even helpless, or hopeless. It could be brokenness that comes from a deep wound or trauma in your past. Or a mental health diagnosis or personality disorder. i. We need God’s comfort in our emotional trials Life is full of Physical suffering, Relational struggles, Spiritual battles, and Emotional trials. But, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,” [vs. 3-4] If Paul would have ended here we would have a lot to be thankful for, and hopeful for… God’s comfort. But, Paul doesn’t stop here, in fact, we’re hanging on a comma, or pause. One of the things I love about this passage is that it just keeps getting better–he has more to say– “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles… so that… so that what? [vs.4] “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Isn’t that awesome? The God of comfort, comforts you… so that… your comfort can comfort others! And where does your comfort originate? God. So, “God uses you to comfort others with His comfort.” When you’re loving on people in their tough stuff, not only are you comforting them, but God is also working through you, to provide His comfort. Your tough stuff is a big deal, but it’s more than that because it’s bigger than you. God uses your trials to grow you and He also uses your trials to benefit others… to love, to comfort, to encourage, to provide hope… in their trials. [Story about Tiffany] How about you? Have you ever been in the midst of a difficult time or trial and wondered about God? Asking questions like… • Why are you allowing this to happen? • Why don’t you fix it? • Where are you and why are you so silent? • What’s the purpose of all this, what are you trying to teach me? • What’s going on? A little help would be nice right about now.

If so, I think God can handle your doubts, questions, and even your frustrations and anger. We see stories throughout the Bible of wrestling with or wondering about God. We read about David, “a man after God’s own heart” struggling in the Psalms when he cries out in his grief; Ps. 10:1 “Lord why do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Ps. 13.2 “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and… have sorrow in my heart?” Ps. 22:2 “My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest” Or Job who laments in his time of suffering; Job 30:20 “ I cry out to you, oh God, but you do not answer” Job 23:8 “…if I go to the East, he is not there, if I go to the West, I do not find him… in the earth, I do not see him… to the South, I catch no glimpse of him.” And in 1 Kings we read about Elijah, even after a tremendous spiritual victory against the Prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, after being threatened by the wicked Jezebel, in fear Elijah runs away and feeling alone and exhausted he prays that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.” [1 Kings 19:4] And even in the New Testament, in the Gospels we read about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and with his “…soul overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” prays “My Father, if is possible, may this cup be taken from me…” [Mt. 26:38-39] And then on the cross he cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Mt. 27:46] If you’ve ever wrestled with God, wondered what he is doing, or questioned him, you’re not alone. You may not have received the response you wanted, but that doesn’t mean God wasn’t fully aware and active in your story, working in you and through you. Let me go back to our conversation with Tiffany that afternoon: Her response to “how her relationship with God had been throughout her difficult semester”, was… “Actually, Dad, I don’t feel God has been overly active in this process.” I also asked Tiffany, “Do you feel that you have grown through this process?” and she said, “Absolutely” “How?” “I’ve learned to love better.” “Why do you think that is?” “Because I have been loved so well, not only by my family, but also my friends, coaches, and especially my teammates.” Interesting isn’t it? Do you see what happened there? Even though she didn’t feel God directly being active in that trial, He was actually very much so, being active in her trial. God was using others to love and support and comfort her. Through family and friends, and especially her teammates. Her teammates are her community of believers–her support system–her type of connect group, and God worked through them to comfort her–and God will work through her to comfort others–just as God uses others to comfort us, and us to comfort others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble…” I want to address on a practical level how we can better comfort others, but before we do that lets return to the text and see what else Paul had to say in this passage. “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. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.” Notice the relationship here between suffering and comfort. Paul experienced the suffering of Christ but also experienced the comfort of Christ. Paul knew suffering! And especially, suffering for Christ. Paul describes his suffering as • Being distressed • Hardships • Great pressure • Despairing • Feeling the sentence of death! He doesn’t address the specifics here in this passage, but we read in the book of Acts that he was persecuted, stoned, beaten and flogged, thrown into prison, shipwrecked, falsely accused, and lived with what he called a “thorn in the flesh” that tormented him. Paul knew suffering! But even in his suffering, Paul had hope. A hope that not only shares in the sufferings of Christ, but also a hope that shares in the comfort of Christ. And then in the 2nd half of verse 9, Paul boldly states his point of emphasis with an emphatic “But”. That even in all his suffering, suffering to the degree that he despaired life, there was a purpose… “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” [vs.9] Ultimately, through the hardships that Paul suffered, it resulted in him relying on God. Trusting, depending on God who even raises the dead. He is the God of resurrection–which points to the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s the Gospel. That is our hope. And in vs. 10 Paul continues. “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,” Is that your hope? God’s deliverance? Verse 10 says, “He has delivered…” What has God delivered you from? What trials have you already walked through? Despite that hardship, however, was God faithful? Did he comfort you, strengthen you, grow and mature you? Chances are, that trial is a significant part of your story. It influenced who you have become. “He will deliver us” or “continue to deliver us.” Unfortunately, this points to the reality that there will be further trials. Troubles yet to come. Your story is not done being written yet. You will face, as James 1:2 says, “Trials of many kinds.” And then in those trials you will need comfort, love, support, encouragement, from God and from one another. But in that trial, remember to rely and hope in God because he will deliver you, ultimately, all the way into His heavenly kingdom. What a day of rejoicing that will be! And finally, Paul concludes with an emphasis on prayer. “As you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” Paul believed in the power of prayer. Even though he has just claimed his “reliance on” and “hope in” God, he appeals to the people/ the Church, to pray for him. Paul needed prayer support. His journey was not finished. We need prayer support. Our trials are not over. Which brings me to a few practical take-aways for you this morning. On a practical level, how can we be better comforters? Since we have and will continue to face trials and tough stuff, how can we be there for one another?

1. Pray for one another From verse 11, we see Paul emphasizing the importance of prayer from other believers. Who regularly prays for you? Think about that for a moment. Who has your back and is lifting you up in prayer? Beyond your spouse or parent, is there a friend, or someone from your Connect Group – Men’s or Women’s group, or Adult Fellowship? You need their prayers, and they need your prayers. Paul writes to Timothy, “I constantly remember you in my prayers.” [2 Tim. 1:3] And hopefully you know exactly what to pray for because you know them… 2. Listen Take the time to listen and to show some compassion, understanding, and empathy. Often we wonder what we’re supposed to do when someone is going through a trial. But generally, just being there with a willingness to listen is what is needed most. A few weeks ago I asked some of the staff here at the church for advice on what is helpful, but also what is NOT helpful in comforting others in their trials or tough stuff. Their responses included: • Don’t try to fix it, offer solutions, or give advice before it is asked for. Men, that especially applies to you. • Don’t minimize it. Saying something like, “Well it could be worse” is just not helpful. Of course it could be worse, but that doesn’t take away the hurt and pain in their trial or loss. And especially don’t minimize it by comparing it to something you’ve been through that was worse. • Don’t judge. “Well maybe you shouldn’t have…” or “we reap what we sow”. Anything that resembles “Blame or Shame” is not good, even if the problem is because of poor choices they’ve made. • Don’t “Jesus Juke” me. I had to ask Jonathan VanMaanen, our youth pastor, what it means to Jesus Juke, and basically, it means to not over spiritualize. “You need to let go & let God” or God is just testing your faith” or “God is going to use this to grow you”. Be wise with these types of statements. Notice how all of these “don’ts” or “unhelpful” suggestions are the opposite of listening. They involve you talking instead of you listening. “Quick to listen, and slow to speak” [James 1:19] Listen not only to their words but also to their heart, how they are feeling, the hurt, the sadness, the loss. A good question to ask yourself is, “How would you feel?” If you were in their shoes, how would you feel? 3. Serve Maybe you are good at serving. We have a lot of wonderful servants in this Church. If you recognize a need and are able to help meet that need–go for it. • Making a meal • Offering to babysit • Sitting with them at a Dr. Apt. • Taking them out for lunch or a cup of coffee • Running an errand for them • Doing a household chore And try to offer a specific act of service instead of just saying, “Call me if you need anything.” When listening we ask ourselves – “How would I feel?” When serving we ask ourselves – “What would I need?” 4. Follow Up When we are going through tough stuff it’s very important that others remember. Remind them that you’re thinking of them and are still praying for them. Follow up a few days, weeks, or even months later. Ask, “How have you been doing lately?” Not a general “How are you?” “Fine.”, but a specific, “How’s it going regarding your…” • Loss of a loved one

• • • • •

Marriage Depression Health issues Temptation you’ve been battling Coping with loneliness

5. Connect In order to be successful in these first 4 principles, we need to be connected. Connecting is a major emphasis her at Christ Community Church. In the Gather+ you received when you came in today it says to Gather, Connect, Serve. Sometimes this requires a risk and stepping outside your comfort zone and joining an Adult Fellowship, and a Connect Group.[(BTW, this Wed. evening at 6:00pm at Brookside Park there is an event for anyone interested in becoming a part of a Connect Group. It will be a wonderful chance to meet other new people and also some of the small group leaders. Informal picnic. Contact Laura Teske or Mark Henderson, mark it on the Connect Card.] 6. Rely on God This principal takes us back to Paul’s point of emphasis in verse 9. Suffering, hardship, trouble & trials happen “That we might not rely on ourselves but on God.” To rely or depend on God. To put your trust and hope in Christ. Your depending on God is a model for others, to rely on God. Relying on His comfort, love, encouragement, strength, so that God will work through us to give comfort, love, encouragement, strength to others. “Praise be to the God…the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble…” [Interview with Dave and Renae Dunkelberger]