Elements City Church
Foundational Faith week 1: Godly Comfort
As we launch into this series through the book of 2 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul dives right into the deep end. He writes to followers of Jesus who are facing great challenges and says - how do we find comfort when we’re there? Where do you turn for comfort when you encounter loss, pain, rejection, or the disappointments that come in life? Ultimately the divine comfort we seek and need is found in God and in His activity through others who stand with us. Divine comfort doesn’t just soothe - it strengthens! God strengthens us enough - to give it away.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 4:00 PM
Welcome to Elements City Church
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Where do you turn for comfort when you encounter loss, pain, rejection, or the disappointments that come in life?
Where do you turn for comfort when you encounter loss, pain, rejection, or the disappointments that come in life?
The interesting thing in a culture that craves and markets comfort in experiences and every kind of possession — actual comfort isn't something you find, or buy, or acquire; it has to find you.
Truth is: Someone has to bring it to you.
Paul launches this letter back to the people in city of Corinth, folks he cares deeply about with speaking about this divine comfort that can find you and the ONE who can bring it…
Truth is: Someone has to bring it to you.
Paul launches this letter back to the people in city of Corinth, folks he cares deeply about with speaking about this divine comfort that can find you and the ONE who can bring it…
This “second letter” is probably written from Philippi after Paul received word from Titus concerning the first letter (2 Cor. 7:15-16) and was likely written around 55 or 56 AD.
The letter gives an in-depth look into Paul’s understanding of his ministry/calling. It is quite personal, its contents made of up of explanations, appeals, christian living insights, - reproaches and warnings.
When you read Paul’s opening words to the Corinthians, it almost feels like he skips the warm-up. He dives right into the deep end—suffering, affliction, despair, and the need for comfort.
And isn’t that real life?
Life doesn’t always ease us in. Sometimes suffering / hardship / challenges in life come crashing down like a strong wave, and we’re left gasping..
“God, where are You?”
Paul answers with this truth: God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He reassures them then & us now:
God provides enough comfort to get us through.
The letter gives an in-depth look into Paul’s understanding of his ministry/calling. It is quite personal, its contents made of up of explanations, appeals, christian living insights, - reproaches and warnings.
When you read Paul’s opening words to the Corinthians, it almost feels like he skips the warm-up. He dives right into the deep end—suffering, affliction, despair, and the need for comfort.
And isn’t that real life?
Life doesn’t always ease us in. Sometimes suffering / hardship / challenges in life come crashing down like a strong wave, and we’re left gasping..
“God, where are You?”
Paul answers with this truth: God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He reassures them then & us now:
God provides enough comfort to get us through.
• The word "comfort" appears 9 times in 1:1–11, and 29 times in this letter.
• We tend to think of comfort as something that makes us feel better, like our favorite food, a shoulder to cry on, or someone telling us that everything's going to be okay.
• The word "comfort" in the Bible has more to do with strengthening than with soothing; the Greek word means "to help - by giving courage.”
• Comfort, according to the Bible, isn't about feeling better; it's about feeling stronger.
• Comfort isn't something you find; it has to find you.
• We tend to think of comfort as something that makes us feel better, like our favorite food, a shoulder to cry on, or someone telling us that everything's going to be okay.
• The word "comfort" in the Bible has more to do with strengthening than with soothing; the Greek word means "to help - by giving courage.”
• Comfort, according to the Bible, isn't about feeling better; it's about feeling stronger.
• Comfort isn't something you find; it has to find you.
The Greek word for comfort literally means "to come alongside" someone.
In the Old Testament, this type of word is often used to describe God's showing up in a time of distress to rescue his people or to relieve their suffering.
In the New Testament the word is associated with the Holy Spirit (Who is known as: the Comforter), (See John 14)
The Holy Spirit is whom God sends to encourage and empower his people.
In the Old Testament, this type of word is often used to describe God's showing up in a time of distress to rescue his people or to relieve their suffering.
In the New Testament the word is associated with the Holy Spirit (Who is known as: the Comforter), (See John 14)
The Holy Spirit is whom God sends to encourage and empower his people.
Q) Have you had people SHOW UP for you in your hour of need?
==How can we BE THAT for one another as the church to live out Jesus’ call and challenge that people will know you’re my followers by ‘HOW YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER’… meaning there’s activity, experience, expression to that kind of love.
==How can we BE THAT for one another as the church to live out Jesus’ call and challenge that people will know you’re my followers by ‘HOW YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER’… meaning there’s activity, experience, expression to that kind of love.
The best friend to have in times of difficulty is God himself.
=He never leaves, and his strength never runs out.
That's why Paul says in verse three, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort."
truth: God Has Delivered, Is Delivering, and Will Deliver (v. 10)
=He never leaves, and his strength never runs out.
That's why Paul says in verse three, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort."
truth: God Has Delivered, Is Delivering, and Will Deliver (v. 10)
Paul tells us that God is "the Father of compassion."
Not the Father of Justice or the Father of Righteousness. He certainly is just and righteous. But when we're hurting, we can count on him to be compassionate.
As Robert Lewis (pastor, author, founder of Men’s Fraternity) said, one of the primary responsibilities of a father is to fill his child with strength.
Not just to use his strength to help the child, but to build up the child's own strength. Remember that's what comfort is all about — gaining strength.
Not the Father of Justice or the Father of Righteousness. He certainly is just and righteous. But when we're hurting, we can count on him to be compassionate.
As Robert Lewis (pastor, author, founder of Men’s Fraternity) said, one of the primary responsibilities of a father is to fill his child with strength.
Not just to use his strength to help the child, but to build up the child's own strength. Remember that's what comfort is all about — gaining strength.
Our Heavenly Father brings to us, and it's always enough to get us through. In fact, it's more than enough.
God gives us enough to give away.
(verse 4)
One of the primary ways God delivers comfort is through people who come alongside us.
In other words, when God gives you comfort, he doesn't just give enough to get you through; he gives you enough to give away.
God gives us enough to give away.
(verse 4)
One of the primary ways God delivers comfort is through people who come alongside us.
In other words, when God gives you comfort, he doesn't just give enough to get you through; he gives you enough to give away.
Thank you for partnering with Elements City Church
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings to Elements City Church. They enable us to be the church, and they help us to fuel the mission and vision. Our capacity to function on a daily basis is a direct result of your support, and we are so grateful for it! You can give online at the link below, or through the Elements City Church app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveAren't you glad you came to church tonight?!?
We're grateful you joined us for The Holy Roar at Four! We'll continue our Foundation Faith series through 2 Corinthians next Sunday at 4pm.
See you there!
As always, you can keep up on all of the upcoming events in the Elements app or online, including:
RSVP for:
- Upcoming Men's Event - Sept 20th
- Upcoming Women's Event - Sept 27th
We're grateful you joined us for The Holy Roar at Four! We'll continue our Foundation Faith series through 2 Corinthians next Sunday at 4pm.
See you there!
As always, you can keep up on all of the upcoming events in the Elements app or online, including:
RSVP for:
- Upcoming Men's Event - Sept 20th
- Upcoming Women's Event - Sept 27th