on takeaways from Sunday's sermon

Date: 10 Feb 2008

Title: When Our World Collapses

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-5

Introduction

Ministry, Giving, Leadership

1. Suffering in 2 Corinthians (Chapter 1, 4, 6, 11)

2. When our world collapses, respond in 3 ways:

A. EMBRACE the Comfort of God (v4a)

the word "comfort" appear 10 times in 7 verses.

from root word in  Koine Greek,  παράκλητος (Parakletos) - "one who comes along side"

"comfort" is used in the present tense - ongoing action! God always comforts us

"... in ALL our afflictions" Psalm 103:13-14

 
B. ENCOURAGE with the Comfort of God (v4b)

James 5:11 - Summary of story of Job, as well as revealing to us the nature of God in Job's story 

Empowering grace of God

(v4) "... so that ..." --> Purpose! God allows all things for a purpose.

C. EXALT the God of Comfort (v3)

"... we are ABLE (NASB)/ we CAN (NIV) 

stewardship of suffering

Wounded healers (Henri Nouwen)

Jewish blessing - Berakhah

"Blessed be the Father.." (context of suffering)

2 Corinthians, Ephesians and 1 Peter

Conclusion

Give Thanks! Let worship be our first act in suffering.

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Text in black is the sermon notes outline given by church. Text in green are the thoughts I jotted down from the sermon. Thank God that Pastor David gave us so many learning point even from these short 5 verses. His stories of personal growth and sufferings are both moving and illuminating. Also give thanks for pastors who are not afraid to share their weaknesses from the past, and being real and authentic.