Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Many challenges and trials in life

2. Not all are able to find true comfort

3. Comfort from God is available

FIND TRUE COMFORT FROM GOD

1. God has many titles

1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2

a) Strength

b) Rock

c) Fortress

d) Deliverer

e) Shield

f) Horn of salvation

g) Stronghold

2. The Apostle Paul added his reference to God

3 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.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

a) God and Father

b) Father of mercies

c) God of all comfort

THE COMFORT THAT GOD GIVES

1. God and Father

a) Divine comfort

b) Fatherly comfort

2. God of mercies

a) Origin of mercy

b) Divine mercy

3. God’s comfort

a) May not conform to what we expect

b) He will come alongside to give comfort

THE COMFORT THAT WE RECEIVE

1. Comfort amidst Tribulation

2. No exemption from Tribulation

3. God will be there with His presence

4. It will be the kind of comfort that we need

ABILITY TO COMFORT OTHERS

1. The Comfort we receive from God will enable us to help others

2. We can share our experiences of how God had comforted us

a) Encouragement from God’s word

b) Comfort from prayer

c) Returning to God

d) Learning insights

e) Revival of spirit

BLESSING GOD

1. A choice

2. A determination

3. Deep lesson learned

4. Genuine application of faith in God amidst tribulation

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household1.

Acts 16:25-34

a) Confidence

b) Choosing to offer praise to God

c) Sharing faith effectively

CONCLUSION

1. To learn to cope well amidst tribulation

2. To give thanks to God

3. To seize the opportunity to share our faith effectively