The Comforting Christ

Transcription

1 The Comforting Christ

2 Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 9:6, For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 40:1 & 3 Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Says your God. & 3 "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a Highway for our God."

3 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

4 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

5 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

6 I. The Comfort of Christ's Humanity. (Isa. 40; 7:14; 9:6) A. Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah. Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness saying: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a Highway for our God." B. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ. John 1:29, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

7 Acts 1:21-22 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to the day when He was taken up from us "

8 C. Christ meets us where we are in the flesh. Gal. 4:4-5, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. D. He, as our High Priest intercedes for us. Hebrews 4:15-16, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

9 II. The Comfort of Christ's Death & Resurrection Meets our Need for a Savior (1 Cor. 15:3-4) A. This is the gospel, the reason for our existence. Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

10 B. The death and resurrection of Christ proves His love for us. Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 8:31-32, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

11 Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:20) Heb. 13:5-6 For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

12 C. The One who comforted the disciples when discouraged, will comfort us as well. 2 Timothy 4:16-17, At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

13 III. The Comfort of Christ's Return Meets Us in Our Troubles. 1 Thess. 4:14, For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. A. Christ's return is our comfort at the death of loved ones. John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

14 B. Christ's return is our comfort when our bodies are wearing out. 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 John 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

15 C. Christ's return is our comfort when the world is falling apart around us. Luke 21:10-11, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:28, Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

16 D. Christ's return is our comfort when life seems unfair. Rev. 22:12, And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

17 Do you need His comfort today in your present trial?