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“ Summary, Part 2 (final) ” LESSON [17:41]: Let us view our afflictions as opportunities to experience God’s comfort. We don’t desire afflictions, but the Christian accepts them for the well-meaning God behind them and the comforting Christ with them. 1) When we suffer affliction as Christians, let us be comforted that we are being conformed to the image of Christ. 1 Pet 2:20-21 – Christ’s perfect life led Him to mockery and to the indignity of the cross, but from there to glory. The martyrs knew comfort in their torture as well. 2) When we suffer affliction as Christians, let us be comforted because we are being confirmed in our faith. 1 Pet 3:15-16 – When we are mocked, we are not to return it in kind. Let it condemn the mocker alone, and let us not join him in his sin. 3. LET US SEE CHRIST IN OUR AFFLICTIONS [30:02]. Christ is not only with us in our afflictions, but associates with us in them. Col 1:24 – And we are to associate with Christ in them (1 Pet 4:13, Rom 8:16-18). LESSON [40:43]: Patient suffering for Christ ensures the comfort of Christ. APPLICATION [42:50]: Let us learn to properly view our afflictions. Let us learn them as opportunities to experience God’s comfort. Christian, whatever afflicts you now, God has brought you here.
Ian Migala (10/12/2015)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” We continue with III. THE GRACIOUS DESIGN FOR OUR COMFORTS (2 Cor 1:4) [starting at 4:22 of the audio]. We can see two deductions from this passage: A. GOD AFFLICTS US SO THAT HE MAY COMFORT US [5:00]. 1. LET US SEE THAT OUR AFFLICTIONS COME FROM GOD FOR OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. This means that God is sitting sovereign on the throne. Afflictions don’t come from nowhere for no reason, be they for chastening or for perfection. God is glorified when His intentions manifest in us (Ps 119:75, 67, 71). LESSON: God intends good through our afflictions; let us not despise them or rebel against Him in them. He will never give us more than we can handle. Afflictions are to make us strong, not to kill our spirits. 2. LET US SEE OUR AFFLICTIONS AS OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE GOD’S COMFORT [11:57]. He does not comfort the comfortable, but those who mourn over their sin (cf. Mt 5:4). a. As long as we suffer no affliction, we receive no comfort (v. 5). 2 Cor 11:23 – Paul’s afflictions were accompanied by God’s comfort. b. When we suffer affliction, God in Christ is our great comforter. Christ also sent another comforter (Jn 16:7).
