02 making sense of suffering

Making Sense of Suffering2 Corinthians 1:3-11

David Clayton. teacher

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2 Corinthians 1:3-11Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.




INTRODUCTION:1. The letters of Corinthians span a period of SEVEN YEARS2. At best, Paul’s relationship with Corinth was TOUGH

KEY THEME AND TOPIC3. The main theme of vs. 3-11 is SUFFERING4. The Key word used 9 times in vs. 3-7 is COMFORT




SUFFERING:1. Suffering is the universal EXPERIENCE

Afflictions: Greek word: press down• Troubles (v.4)• Distressed (v.6)• Sufferings (v.6)• Hardships (v.8)• Great pressure (v.8)• Despaired (v.8)• Sentence of death (v.9)• Deadly peril (v.10)




2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of

all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.




2 Corinthians 1:3-11

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.




2 Corinthians 1:3-11if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same

sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in

our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.



2 Corinthians 1:3-11We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the hardships we experienced in the

province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.




SUFFERING:2. The focal point is not on suffering but on GOD

* Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (v.3)* Of all comfort (v.3-4)comfort: Greek word: called alongside of




2 Corinthians 1:3-11Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who

comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can

comfort those in any trouble with the

comfort we ourselves receive from God.




SUFFERING:3. His wonderful ACTIONS• Grace and peace (v.2)• Comforts (v.3-4)• Saves (v.5)• Reliable (v.9)• Delivers (v.10)




SUFFERING:4. How we should RESPOND• Praise (v.3)• Comforting others (v.4)• Patient Endurance (v.6)• Firm hope (v.7)• Sharing our story (v.8)• Staying positive (v.9-10)• Prayer (v.11)• Remaining thankful (v.11)




TAKING THE LESSON HOME1. Re-read 2 Corinthians 1:3-112. Review the main points of today’s lesson3. Think of ways that you can relate to what Paul writes. 4. Pray and serve someone who is experiencing troubles.5. Where do you need to stay more positive and hopeful?6. Read 2 Corinthians 1:12- 2:04 for the next week thinking

about the topic: The Power of a right example

02 making sense of suffering

Spiritual

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