2. 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
2
3. 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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4. 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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5. I want to include in this series on the
“The Ministry of Giving Comfort” the
subject . . .
IV. How to Offer Comfort
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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6. 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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7. 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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8. (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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9. 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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10. (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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11. 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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12. 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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13. 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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14. (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.
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15. 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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16. 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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17. 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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18. 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. 18
19. {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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20. 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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21. 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.
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22. {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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23. 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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24. 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.
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25. 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.
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26. 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. 26
27. 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.
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28. {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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29. 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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30. 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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