Do You Hear What I Hear? John 1:14-18

The following are notes from a Christmas sermon I delivered at Leesville Road Baptist Church on December 18, 2011. Feel free to leave some comments. I hope it is a blessing to you!

Do You Hear What I Hear?
John 1:14-18

Introduction

What’s the good word?

Our world seems obsessed with communication. We have phones that are not for making calls only, but are also used to surf the internet, to send text messages, to even read books and watch movies!

All around us we are bombarded by some sort of communication—billboards, text messages, commercials, even pop up ads on-line.

We are a people drowning in information who at times seem to be longing for meaningful communication.

We want to hear a “good word,” something that is helpful or communicates hope. We want to hear some good news.

Have you ever noticed how often “words” play a role in Scripture?

1. In the beginning, God “said” and there was

2. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the morning

3. God spoke the Law to Moses

4. God spoke to the Jews through prophets (Heb 1)

5. On the first Christmas, God spoke through dreams and angels

6. God speaks to us today through his Son the Word and through his written Word Scripture

Whenever God wants to make something known, he speaks

God likes to communicate, he wants us to know what is going on

Three elements in communication—the speaker, the message, the hearer

For good communication to happen, all three have to function properly

What happens when God communicates?

God is the speaker, and he reveals himself to us by his message (i.e., his Word)

God is infallible, and his Word is perfect, so that puts the emphasis on the hearers

God speaks, but are we listening?

This Christmas, God offers us a Word—that Word is his self-disclosure, his speaking of himself through his Son

When God speaks, we should listen

Do you hear what I hear?

John 1:14-18

In this passage I hear God saying three things. Let’s see if we hear the same thing.

1. I hear that the Word is among us, vv. 14, 18 (The Word Among Us)

a. The Word became “flesh”—when God spoke, it was personal and a bit messy. God spoke in these last days to us through his Son (Heb. 1:1-3), This “Word” takes on flesh (Romans 8:3). The word “flesh” here is not a pretty word. God doesn’t say that his “Word” became simply “human.” No, Jesus became “flesh,” he took on our situation, he identified with us, he was tempted like us (yet without sin—cf. Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 5:20-21). Jesus got involved in our messy existence and by doing so offered a means to clean up our mess. By being one of us, Jesus healed and redeemed our situation. Do you hear what I hear?

b. The Word dwelt among us (tabernacle)—When God spoke, he didn’t do it from a distance. He came among us. In the OT, God’s presence among his people was signified by the tabernacle and its three chambers. The inner chamber (where God’s glory dwelt) was only accessible once a year by one person on the Day of Atonement. Jesus coming as God’s Word makes that glory accessible to all of us by pitching his tent (taking up his dwelling place) among us. He lives with us, he lives among us. He has not left us nor forsaken us. Do you hear what I hear?

c. The Word is full of glory—When God spoke, he made his glory known. When Jesus came, we saw God’s glory. In the OT, God’s glory was hidden (remember Moses and the Tabernacle), but with the birth of Jesus God’s glory now becomes obvious to all. God makes himself known in Jesus. Do you hear what I hear?

d. This Word was never seen before, but now we see him—That which was invisible has now become visible (Colossians 1:15-17; cf. Rom. 1:18-20). In Jesus we see the invisible attributes of God. Jesus makes God visible and known. Do you hear what I hear?

e. The Word has explained God—Jesus showed the way to God, he exegeted God. He explained God. Jesus made God understandable. What was inexplicable now is explained. What was inscrutable is now “scrutable.” In Jesus God is capable of being understood. Do you hear what I hear?

f. When God speaks, we should listen

g. Do you hear what I hear?

h. When God “spoke” in Jesus, he became one of us (flesh), he pitched his tent among us (tabernacle), he made visible his invisible glory (we saw his glory, that which no one had seen), he offered an explanation of God’s grace and truth, and our response is to witness his glory and proclaim it to others

2. I hear that The Word is Before Us, v. 15 (The World Before Us)

a. He is superior to us because he existed before us (John 1:1-3; Phil 2:5-8)

i. Jesus’ superiority is explained in detail in the letter to the Hebrews

ii. Although the author of that letter dwells on Jesus’ superiority to many things and people (i.e., angels, Moses, Aaron, the Levites, the sacrifices, etc.), he also goes out of his way to remind us that Jesus is one of us (cf. Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16). He is not an alien. He is superior, yes, but in his humanity the child in the manger brings God’s glory to all people (remember the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."—Luke 2:14)

iii. Jesus is “before” us

iv. Do you hear what I hear?

b. Because of his position, we are called to testify of his superiority and glory (this is what John does here)

c. But Jesus also lives “before” us in the idea of being right in front of our eyes. God is not hidden, he is in our midst. Jesus is known to us. Remember, what was unseen is now visible. The babe in the manger makes the glory of God known to all humanity. Jesus’ very existence has explained God to us all. He is right in front of us. Will we pay attention?

d. When God speaks, we should listen

e. Do you hear what I hear?

f. When God reveals himself, he sometimes uses the testimony of others (John), he reveals his superior nature (he is before us and existed without us), as a result he is worthy of our worship and our testimony

3. I hear that The Word is full of Grace, vv. 16-17 (The Word of Grace)

a. We have all received from his fullness (full of grace and truth—cf. John 1:14; Col. 1:5-6)

i. Jesus is the fullness of God (Col 2:9-10)

ii. Christ is the ultimate expression of grace and truth

1. He is grace in that he was freely given for us all (John 3:16; 1 John 2:1-2)

2. He is truth in that he reveals clearly who God is and how to get to God (John 14:6)

b. Grace stacked up on grace (cf. Heb. 4:16)

i. The idea here is an endless supply of grace

ii. Like a warehouse with an unending supply of boxes stacked up against each other, so Jesus offers an ongoing and never exhaustible warehouse of grace

iii. He is grace beyond measure, He is grace yesterday, today, and forever

iv. His grace is never shallow and is trustworthy

c. Law reveals God, but Jesus brings grace and truth to reality (grace and truth “became” through Jesus, same word as “became” flesh)

d. We all receive his grace

i. 1 John 2:1-2 reminds us that Jesus is the propitiation for the sins even of the whole world (i.e., in 1 John 5, the “whole world” is described as those in the hands of the devil)

ii. The grace of God is available to all people by means of the incarnation as Jesus reveals and explains God’s grace

iii. The grace of God is effective in the crucifixion as the blood of Jesus is applied to the sins of humans

iv. The grace of God is sealed by the resurrection in which God declares his work completed and finished

e. When God speaks, we should listen

f. Do you hear what I hear?

g. When God “spoke” the word of grace, he provided an unlimited storehouse of the gift of grace, he made it available to all (we “all” received it), and he makes grace and truth a reality in Jesus, our response is to live God’s grace and truth as a tangible example of God’s Word spoken to us—we “incarnate” God’s grace and truth in our own lives

4. Application/Conclusion

a. Are we listening to God during this Christmas season? Are we paying attention to the “Word” he speaks in Jesus and the Incarnation? Do people see his “grace and truth” in how we live in response to God’s Word?

b. Have you experienced his grace? What a Christmas gift you could receive today if you yield yourself to God and receive his grace in Jesus Christ. John 1:11-13 reminds us that to those who receive him (i.e., put their trust in him) he gives authority to be called the children of God. (Give an overview of Gospel here, offer salvation to all).

c. For those of us who have experienced this wonderful gift, how can we respond to this “word” from God? Do you hear what I hear? If so, here are some suggestions for you:

i. This Christmas, testify of his glory in the “baby Jesus”

ii. Speak of his superiority

iii. Speak of his grace and truth

iv. Take opportunity to share the truth of God’s Incarnation during the Christmas season

When God speaks, people ought to listen

Do you hear what I hear?

Thanks for reading!

My Annual Christmas Post--the Mystery of Christmas

Hey y'all:

Since I started this blog about 7 years ago, I have posted a piece I wrote around Christmas 2003. It kind of sums up for me what is the "Mystery of Christmas" as I meditated on the Incarnation and its implications for humanity (and for God!). The very idea of God becoming "one of us among us" (Immanuel, anyone?) still fascinates and overwhelms me. God, the creator of all things, entered his own creation so as to renew and redeem us (and, ultimately, all of creation as well). God, the Creator of all things, became flesh so that he might be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The God who never knew death would die for us. The God who never knew sin would become sin for us. What amazing love! Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! As you celebrate the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I hope you enjoy this rerun. Feel free to make comments if you'd like.

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny child was born in some pretty bleak conditions. Oh, he wasn’t the only one born in a bad state. In fact, in some ways, he was one of the lucky ones. He and his mother actually survived childbirth and thrived. Still, this story is unique and amazing on several levels.

First, this child would literally change the way time is reckoned in the world. His life and abilities would so impress generations of others that a brand new movement would be created, one that would radically change the very face of the earth (sometimes for good, sometimes for bad). His name would become recognized among the names of the greatest of humans, yet he never forgot his humble beginnings or lost a sense of who he was.

The second thing about this child is tied to the first in that this baby, this helpless lad full of spittle and mush, was born as the very Son of God. When Mary held his little head to her breast, he drank human milk. Yet, he was (and is) the God of the universe. Can you picture this simply ridiculous, yet somehow poetic scene? God, who calls the stars by name, pressed to the human breast for sustenance. Humble, yet almighty, is how most folks would no doubt recall this child.

A little over 2000 years ago, God proposed that the only remedy for the human condition of sin would be if he humbled himself, stepped out of eternity and into human flesh, and suckled at Mary’s breast in preparation for the greatest, most impressive conversion of all. God, in Mary’s arms, toddling around Joseph’s shop, learning to talk, learning to walk, tasting and touching things with human hands! As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, we cannot contain it!”

God knew that the only way to redeem us was if he did it himself. Haven’t you ever had that thought? You know, the one where you say, “If I want something done right, I’ll just have to do it myself?” Imagine God having that thought about bringing us to proper relationship with him. Imagine again that the only way he knew he could do that is if he came to earth as a baby. Think of it—-how vulnerable the almighty God was at that moment, how paradoxical that the God of all creation had to learn to walk! And why did he put himself in this situation? Out of his divine sense of justice and righteousness, out of his inexpressible love for each of us he acted in this manner.

In a sense, he became insane that we may be sane. He became flesh so that we might walk in the Spirit. He became sin that we might be righteous. He became poor so that we might be rich. He who had the reputation of Creator became a humble servant with no reputation. He became a toddling, dribbling, helpless babe so that we could become mature humans in the image of the almighty God. What wondrous love! What humility and service! How then can anything he asks of us be too difficult?

Lord, in this Christmas season, remind me of your sacrifice and love so that I might be a light shining in darkness to others. Teach me to live a life of humble service like your Son did on my behalf so many years ago. As I celebrate the babe in the manger, may the glory he revealed in his life shine through me towards others that they may know God. May the grace of God and the peace of Christ rule in my family and my life.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas!

A Psalm of Thanksgiving, Psalm 138

Here are the notes from my lesson for G.A.P. (Graduates and Professionals) at Thomas Road Baptist Church. This lesson was presented on November 27, 2011. I hope it is a blessing to you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you have any questions.

A Psalm of Thanks

Psalm 138

Introduction

Season of Thanksgiving

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, so many of us are still full of good food and fond memories of friends and family

Did we take time to actually be thankful?

There is a lack of thanks in our world today

Gratitude seems to be in small demand

Think of Black Friday

Lots of arguments over “stuff”

Shots were fired

People were injured

Many were offended

People were pursuing possessions and were not thankfulf

Our passage today deals with the issue of thanks

In fact, Psalm 138 is a Psalm (or Hymn) of Thanksgiving

This passage can be broken down into three sections in which David offers us insights into why we should be thankful

Before we look at my notes, however, let’s read the passage and ask the question: “Why does David offer thanks with his whole heart?”

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:1-3

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because of God’s unchanging and enduring character

First, v. 1 admonishes us to give thanks (which means something like “to confess” or “to make known” or “to give praise”) with all of our hearts

“Giving thanks" Old Testament style has little to do with an internal feeling of gratitude, but it carries the idea of giving God a note of thanks. The best way to do that (according to David) is to tell others what God has done, i.e., to proclaim the good news of God's gracious actions to the assembly of believers, to the surrounding neighborhood, and even to the world

To “thank God with all my heart” implies a full throated, uninhibited, even expansive act of confession or expression of God’s gracious actions—it is not a short note of thanks

Then, David begins to give us some things about God for which we can give thanks

He describes for us aspects of God’s character for which we can be truly thankful

1. There is no god like the God of the Bible (v. 1)

The Triune God is not a part of his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1:17 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation

In other words, there is nothing outside of God's authority

To praise the Lord "before the gods" (verse 1) is to exalt the Lord above lesser gods or rulers. Giving thanks to God with our whole heart has an effect on our system of loyalties. When we praise the Lord with all we have, other things competing for our trust and worship seem to lose their power

On the other hand, David may be saying something like “I will be a testimony to God by saying thanks to God in the hearing of those who believe otherwise.”

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are made available (v. 2a; cf. Psalm 26:3; 40:10-11; 57:3)

Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:22-23) reminds us that God's lovingkindness is new every morning

The Psalmist reminds us on numerous occasions that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and faithful love to many generations (cf. Psalm 86:15)

His love is such that he gave us what he treasures most: Jesus, his only Son (John 3:16ff)

His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing!

His truth is convicting. God does not lie.

He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. (Romans 1:20)

God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth.

His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name (v. 2b)

If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words

He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself (John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-3)

The Word God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12-16). It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation.

God has given us his Word, and his Word will not fail!

4. God is faithful to answer prayer (v. 3)

When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage (1 John 5:13-15)

Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds (1 John 3:21-22)

Songs of thanksgiving such as this sometimes refer to a specific action of God for which the psalmist is thankful (cf. Psalm 30:6-12), but here the psalmist's language is comprehensive, strong and simple: “On the day I called, you answered me" (verse 3).

God’s character is a solid foundation for our thanks and our praise

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:4-6

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because God of how God relates to the systems of the world

Simply stated, God is the ultimate authority with which all rulers must primarily deal, and as such he will demand worship and praise

God subverts the systems of the world and turns them on their heads

He will ultimately make all rulers to acknowledge his authority and rule (Philippians 2:9-11)

As the rulers of this world hear God’s Word and see God’s glory (see John 1:1-4; 14; 16-18), they will respond with praise and thanks to God for his gracious actions and steadfast love and loyalty

God befriends the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud (v. 6; 1 Peter 5:5-7)

We can be grateful that even though our God is so exalted, he finds it desirable to dwell with those who are humble and lowly

He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Psalm 138:7-8

In these verses, David reminds us that we can give thanks to God because of his presence and deliverance

God will be with us in trouble (v. 7)

There is no obstacle or problem that can separate us from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for us is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked

No matter the circumstances in your life, God is faithful and will be your closest friend. He will walk with you in the midst of your problems and provide what you need to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23)

He does not always deliver us from trouble, but he never abandons us in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with us in the midst of trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with us, he walks with us, he gives us his joy in spite of trouble, and he never fails

God will complete the task he has begun (v. 8; Phil. 1:6)

He will not forsake the works of his hands

He will accomplish all those things that pertain to life and salvation

He will not fail

He is constant, kind, considerate

He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9)

His Word is true and he is faithful to complete it

Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen (Matthew 5:18)

If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his unfailing hand

There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of my praise (Jeremiah 32:26-27)

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Application

I know Thanksgiving is over, but the need to give thanks or to offer God praise is a present tense need

This week, take time to express your gratitude for God

Start with the material in this lesson—look at God’s character, God’s relationship to the world systems, and God’s presence and deliverance and find room to say “thank you” to God

Check your perspective to see if it is proper for praise

Express your gratitude to God out loud to others

Tell others what God has done for you

Express your gratitude to God in service to others

Show your gratitude for loving and serving others as God has loved and served you

Proper perspective prepares us to give proper praise

Thanks for reading!

Recording of "Confidence in Christ and the Sin Unto Death: When should a Believer not Pray?" 1 John 5:13-21

With thanks to Elke Speliopoulos, here is a personal recording of the paper I read at the 2011 Evangelical Theological Society meeting in San Franscisco, CA. When I get the chance, I'll attach a copy of the paper and the "color coded passages" to which I refer in the lecture. Thanks for listening!

Confidence in Christ and the Sin Unto Death: When should a Believer not Pray

What's Playing Today?

As I'm working on my paper for the Evangelical Theological Society ("Confidence in Christ and the Sin unto Death: When should a Believer not Pray?" 1 John 5:13-21), I am enjoying some of my favorite tunes on my computer.

1. Jennifer Knapp, "A Diamond in the Rough"--very visceral and moody, I thoroughly enjoy the lyrics and her wonderful voice

2. U2, "No Line on the Horizon" and "How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb"--c'mon, it's U2, need I explain this one?

3. Bob Dylan, "The Essential Bob Dylan," "Slow Train Coming," and "Saved"--this one should shock no one who knows me. I'm jamming right now to "You Gotta Serve Somebody." I may listen to the Grateful Dead version later (yeah, nothing like the Dead's eclectic style on a crazy Dylan tune about serving God or Satan, right? grin).

Okay, that's enough of an update for now. You may return to your regularly scheduled 'net surfin'!

Thanks for reading!

A Word on/of Encouragement, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Here are the notes from my lesson for G.A.P. (Graduates and Professionals) at Thomas Road Baptist Church. This lesson was presented on October 23 and November 6, 2011. I hope it is a blessing to you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you have any questions.

A Word of/on Encouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Introduction

• Last week we spoke about the idea that true power may be found in weakness—we investigated the idea that every rose has its thorn

• In that lesson we acknowledged that it is often in our lowest moments that God works his greatest gifts and reveals his all sufficient grace and perfects his power in us

• The problem is that it is often at the lowest moments that we get the most discouraged and render ourselves incapable of seeing God’s great kindness

• That has certainly been true in my life

• Finishing a PhD with no place to teach

• Going back to “retail” instead of doing ministry

• Being humbled when I thought it was time to be exalted

• We often experience trouble or afflictions at our low moments

• Isn’t that why we call them low moments?

• When life is tiring, when you are struggling, when family members aren't where you want them to be, when bills aren't paid, when school is difficult, when work is exhausting, when your health is failing, when your loved ones are hurt, when the future is unsure, and when a good friend leaves, in our time of weakness, it is easy to be discouraged

• Discouragement blinds us, but encouragement enlightens and enlivens

• Anyone here need a bit of encouragement in hard times?

• Our passage today speaks of encouragement (using the word “comfort” some six times in three verses). In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul tells us four important things about encouragement:

• It is a person

• It has a place

• It has a purpose

• It has a point

1. The Person

• 2 Corinthians 1:3—Here Paul identifies encouragement or comfort as coming from a person

• Okay, strike that, not just any person, but the Person

• Paul describes God as the Father of “mercies”

• The word for “mercies” here refers to “pity” or “compassion”

• Paul also describes this person as “The God of all comfort”

• The word “comfort” here translates a Greek term that means “encouragement” or a calling to the aid of someone

• It is a word used to describe our “Helper” or “Comforter,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)

• It is the idea of someone who is there to help by encouragement

• Too often we look for encouragement in a host of other places

• Sometimes we compare our problems to other people’s problems and try to find comfort

• Sometimes we just try to have a positive “attitude” that things will get better

• Sometimes we fill our lives with other things in an effort to “forget” our problems

• Sometimes we try to find “comfort” in the pleasures of the flesh

• Sometimes we simply complain

• When Paul wants to discuss “comfort” or encouragement, he points his readers to a person—to God himself

• This is the God and Father of Jesus—just as he cared for his own Son, so Paul reminds us that God has compassion and care for us

• The idea of “Father” here has to do with origin or source

• God is the source of all mercy and the true source of encouragement or comfort

• There is no limitation to the amount of mercy or comfort God offers

• He is the source for all the mercies we need

• Encouragement is one of the mercies God gives

• If God is the true source of comfort/encouragement, then the question arises as to where we may receive it?

• The place of encouragement may surprise you

2. The Place

2 Corinthians 1:4a—Paul now reveals the surprising place where we may find encouragement

Encouragement comes “in all of our afflictions”

Read that again—Pay close attention to the words

Comfort/Encouragement comes from God and reveals itself in “all our afflictions”

What are “afflictions”?

The word here has to do with tribulations, anguish, or distress

Encouragement is often revealed in our deepest valleys

Think of the people of the Bible

Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Daniel and the three Hebrew young men

Timothy and Paul

In all of these situations and to all these people God proved faithful

Although he did not always remove the problem (remember, every rose has its thorn), God is faithful to show mercy and to encourage

What are your “afflictions”?

What is the darkest valley you face?

Where do you need the most encouragement?

That is the place that the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort wants to meet you

Notice that it doesn’t say that God encourages us in “some” of our afflictions (cf. Psalm 23:4; Heb. 13:5)

The word “all” covers a lot of ground

There is no place of trouble that God’s mercies and comfort cannot reach

On the other hand, he will not force his grace or encouragement on us

“Your love is too pure to force me to love you” sings Dennis Jernigan

The same may be said for his mercies and encouragement

God meets us in “all our afflictions” to offer us his mercy and encouragement, but he does not simply swoop in with a provision (Heb. 13:5—he is always there)

No, God has a purpose

If you are in distress, if you face affliction, God offers to you today his mercies and comfort

But these things come with a purpose in mind (James 1:2-4)

3. The Purpose

2 Corinthians 1:4b—Paul continues his thought by moving beyond the place of comfort to its purpose

Simply stated, Paul tells us that encouragement is given to us so that we can in turn give it to others

That is, God comforts us in our afflictions/distresses so that we can then do the same for others

Sounds like a no brainer, right? The purpose of your afflictions may have something to do with preparing you to be a help to someone else

As you are afflicted, so are you prepared to encourage

Your “problems” become the mission field into which God will pour mercy and encouragement for others

You think it is a “hindrance” or some kind of “obstacle,” yet your very place of affliction may be your future mission

Where you suffer today, where God wants to meet you with his mercies and encouragement may well become the place of greatest ministry for you in the future

Remember, every rose has its thorn—true power is found in weakness—the place where you are suffering, struggling, aching, or even in despair can be the spot where God perfects his power and shows his all sufficient grace

There is a pattern here, so what’s the point?

4. The Point

2 Corinthians 1:5—Paul reminds us that Jesus is the point of all these afflictions and God’s mercies and encouragement

Remember, God worked in Jesus’ life in a similar way

Hebrews 2:14-18 reminds us that Jesus became one of us so that he might give us freedom from the fear of death

Jesus stood in solidarity with us, even to the point of death, and by his suffering and death provided for us the victory

His “afflictions” provide comfort for us

As God comforted him, so God comforts us

Hebrews 5:8 reminds us that Jesus even “learned obedience from the things he suffered”

If Jesus suffered (with loud cries and tears, Heb. 5:7), how can we expect any less?

But by his suffering, Jesus becomes for us the very comfort and power we need to stand strong in our “afflictions”

Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16 remind us that through Jesus we receive help

The point is this—as our Lord suffered and received his Father’s mercies and encouragement, so also we receive mercies and encouragement from him when we suffer “afflictions”

What’s the point of all this? Jesus is the point

God works in our afflictions to make Christ’s image known in us and shown through us

Paul has gone out of his way to remind us that some of the afflictions we face are actually the sufferings of Christ

We may have an abundance of these issues, but in many cases they are not “ours” alone, the afflictions or sufferings belong to Jesus

That means that our afflictions are not meaningless, there is purpose and meaning to them

That means that many of the things we face are actually God ordained and God given

They belong to Jesus and are not our property

Therefore we need to see Jesus suffering with us (Acts 9)

He also reminds us that encouragement is abundant in Christ

If the afflictions belong to Jesus, then we can rest assured that encouragement or comfort will also come from him

We are not alone, we face these things with and in Christ

Whatever your affliction, Jesus is with you in its midst

You do not face these afflictions alone, you have help

As a result, we can be confident of encouragement and grace (Hebrews 4:16)

The point is that God intends to use our afflictions as a means to work in us the character of Christ

In our times of “distress,” God works his grace and mercy in and through us

By this work, he then reveals his grace and mercy to others

By encouraging us, he empowers us to encourage others

Application

In light of all this, how should we respond?

If God is the person of encouragement . . .

If he shows that encouragement in our afflictions . . .

If the purpose of our afflictions and our encouragement is to comfort others as Christ comforts us . . .

Then how can we receive and give comfort/encouragement this week?

First, make sure you understand God’s character and God’s purpose for your afflictions. If you have any doubt about God’s intentions, this week spend some time with God and his Word. Read Hebrews 1-5 or 2 Corinthians 1. Spend some time seeking to understand God’s character as an encourager and one who comforts. Act on what you know about God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Stand firm on Romans 8:28-39 (try memorizing these verses). God’s encouragement is received just like his mercies, by faith. Remember, faith acts on what it knows

Second, take time to show gratitude to God for his mercies and comfort. Say “Thank you” to God a lot. Develop an attitude of gratitude

Third, look for opportunities to encourage or to comfort others

Show genuine interest in another person and his or her situation (especially the afflictions). Spend time with them in their situation and let them know you care. Express genuine interest by asking questions. Get them talking. Like Jesus, be with them.

Acknowledge what’s important in their situation. Most of us crave an acknowledgement about our situation. If the person is mad at God (or if you are mad at God), admit it and discuss it. Sometimes the simple act of affirmation or validation provides encouragement and builds confidence.

Finally, encourage others by offering to lend a hand. Show someone you care by doing something to bless them. Surprise them in their “affliction” with an unexpected kindness.

Thanks for reading!