I. The reality of tribulation for every believer (Job 5:7; John 16:33)
II. The source of our comfort: who God is (2 Corinthians 1:3)
- Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6)
- Father of Mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23)
- The God of all Comfort (James 1:17; John 14:16, 26)
- His unchanging character (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11; Job 1:12; Job 2:6; Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10; 1 Peter 1:6)
III. The sharing of our comfort
- The scope: all our tribulation (Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 20:7; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Luke 12:16-21; Revelations 3:17; James 4:14; Job 1:13-19; Job 2:7; Daniel 4:30; Matthew 7:26-27; Psalm 119:67, 71; Hosea 5:15; Luke 15:14-18)
- The Prosperity Gospel error answered (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Job 4:7-8; Job 42:7-8; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 4:3)
- Paul’s own testimony in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; Acts 19:23-29; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Philippians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11:36-38; Daniel 3:25)
- The stewardship: comforting others (Job 2:13)
- The fellowship of Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 2:11; John 19:30; Hebrews 10:14; Philippians 3:10)
- The purpose of trials for others (1 Corinthians 10:13; Job 23:10; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-4; Romans 8:28-29; Hebrews 10:24-25)
- The security of our hope (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 24; Hebrews 6:17-19; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 46:1; Deuteronomy 33:27; Hebrews 4:15-16; Psalm 23:4; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
IV. The confirmation of our comfort
- Helping together by prayer (Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:18-19; James 5:16; James 4:2)
- The gift bestowed (Acts 12:5-11)
- Thanks given by many (2 Corinthians 4:15)