The Ministry of Giving Comfort

Part 3

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Introduction

God’s desire to see that we are comforted in our troubles and sorrows is evident in several ways:

1. God’s characterization in Scripture as the God of all comfort, 2 Cor 1:3

2. God’s counsel in Scripture as a source of finding comfort, Psa 119:49-50

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3. God’s construction of the church to minister comfort, 1 Cor 12:24b-26a

4. God’s communication through others to bring comfort, 2 Cor 7:6-7

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We have also learned that the various English words and phrases used to translate the original Hebrew and Greek words of the Old and New Testament provide some insights that instruct us on the topic of “The Ministry of Giving Comfort.”

They have to do with offering consolation, showing compassion, “cheering up,” and encouragement, among others.

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IV. How to Offer Comfort

I want to include in this series on the “The Ministry of Giving Comfort” the subject . . .

God has given Christians many means by which we can minister comfort to those who are experiencing trouble. To the degree we learn to master the following spiritual skills, our ability to bring real peace to others will be enriched.

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A. Share God's Word of Comfort

The value of God’s Word to bring comfort to troubled hearts cannot be overstated. It would be time well-spent to search the scriptures for all the truth God has revealed that indicates that we are not alone or without resources to help us cope.

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1. The promises in God’s Word provide comfort.

(Psa 119:50 NIV) My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

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(1 Cor 10:13 NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

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2. The examples of others in God’s Word provides comfort.

(Rom 15:4 NIV) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

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(James 5:10-11 NIV) Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. {11} As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

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B. We Must Rely on the Holy Spirit of Comfort

1. The Holy Spirit brings to mind the Word of God that we can use to help a suffering soul.

(John 14:26 NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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If the Holy Spirit reminded the original apostles of all that Jesus said and taught for the purpose of establishing His gospel, do you not think that He would bring to mind what you have read and studied of His Word that could ease the suffering of those with whom we share it?

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2. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray with prayers that reflect the will of God for our suffering. We assist others in praying that God’s will be done.

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(Rom 8:26-28 NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. {27} And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. {28} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 14

C. We Must Utilize Christ’s Ministry of Protection in Trials

There is no circumstance beyond the ability of Christ to deliver us. What is not corrected here is “righted” in heaven. What is “righted” in heaven stays right forever!

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1. Christ our Shepherd is with us even when we are threatened by death.

(Psa 23:4 NIV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

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2. Christ our Comforter is with us to overwhelm the suffering with His comfort.

(2 Cor 1:5 NIV) For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

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3. Christ our Deliverer is with us to keep us from being victims of our tragedies.

(Rom 8:35-39 NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? {36} As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." {37} No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

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{38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, {39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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D. Look to the Future—Short-term, Long-term, Eternal

1. Paul had faith in his future with Christ.

(2 Tim 4:18 NIV) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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2. Paul comforted others with the fact of the present standing of those already gone and the future of those still alive who are in Christ.

(1 Th 4:13-17 NIV) Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. {14} We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 21

{15} According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. {16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

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E. Offer Your Own Experience of Faith

Good examples often do bring conviction and guilt upon others who observe them. And while that is an appropriate response, it means nothing unless it brings a change in behavior or outlook. Good examples of those who are or have suffered trials graciously and victoriously can be a great encouragement to those suddenly caught in the throes of severe trial.

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1. Paul was encouraged in his suffering by the example of the Thessalonians.

(1 Th 3:6-8 NIV) But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. {7} Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. {8} For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 24

2. Jeremiah was encouraged in his suffering by the great love and compassion of the Lord he had experienced from his previous sufferings.

(Lam 3:19-23 NIV) I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. {20} I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. {21} Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: {22} Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. {23} They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 25

F. We Must Offer Our Help in a Firm but Friendly Manner

Even though Job's friends did not have a good ministry of comfort, they came to him with every intention of bringing him comfort in his misery, (Job 2:11).

1. A friend will come to the aid of their friend with their sympathy, comfort, tears, and listening ears.

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Job 2:11-13 NIV) When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. {12} When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 27

{13} Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

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2. A friend will come to the aid of their friend with words of truth that need to be spoken rather than flattery.

(Prov 27:6 NIV) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

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3. A friend will come to the aid of their friend whatever the time and whatever the problem.

(Prov 17:17 NIV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

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