Graham has started a new series on 2 Corinthians. This week the topic is ‘Comfort’.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
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Sermon 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Comfort
Introduction
A young church received Paul’s letters of guidance and correction. How many letters he sent we are not sure, we only have the two. In his first letter Paul gives many directions. In this letter, much of his advice is being challenged by those who are reluctant to accept it (see chapter 7 verse 7), Paul repeatedly has to defend his own authority, as a result we find that Paul reveals much about himself.
“With all the saints in Achaia.” Achaia = The whole of Greece. This letter was intended for circulation.
Some passages of scripture seem loaded with information and revelation. I think this section is focused, simple, uncomplicated and direct. This section bears repeated reading.
1 Comfort exists.
2 Suffering need not be wasted.
3 Those who experience this comfort are to pass it on.
1 Comfort exists.
The source of all comfort is clearly emphasised as being God the Father.
The means of this comfort is identified as being the Holy Spirit of God. The identity of the Spirit is revealed in the Greek word “paraclete” used in the original document for “comfort”.
From Websters dictionary:
Paraclete = Par”a*clete, n. [L. paracletus, Gr. para`klhtos, from parakalei^n to call to one, to exhort, encourage; para` beside + kalei^n to call.] An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; — a term applied to the Holy Spirit.
2 Suffering need not be wasted.
Sufferings of a child of God (see v1 “saints”) are not intended to be wasted. Note, this only applies to saints or children of God.
Verse 9, suffering comes as a teacher. We are to learn to really believe that we are not the answer but that God is. I have spent time with people before they have experienced this school teacher, and afterwards. I have noticed that the difference is striking.
We experience sufferings so that we can experience comfort.
3 Those who experience this comfort are to pass it on.
We are comforted so that we can comfort.
I can pass on what I have received - comfort. I do not pass on my experiences. Sufferings and trials vary, no two situations are alike. The comfort described here is a constant, the ‘in common’ touch of the Holy Spirit and presence of Christ.
Have you agonised over something you have gone through? Possibly. Probably. But have you agonised over the experience of another? If you did it will be because of love, whether we witnessed distress, sickness, hospitalisation or even the process of dying.
Why are the Corinthians bothered (see verse 6) about Paul’s sufferings? Because they love him and have agonised over his experiences, perhaps having prayed zealously. See verse 11.
What ministry would you rather have? One that brings you the applause of many, or one that brings the Father’s comfort to the broken hearts of many people? I have already decided on my choice.
Not all are called to lead a church, go to distant lands carrying the gospel message, yet all will endure suffering and all those can give of the comfort they have received.
Conclusion
Pass this comfort on? How? How do we comfort? What did Paul mean?
The weather forecast was so awful that for safety considerations we could not continue with the plans for the large platform and loads of PA equipment in Parliament Street. Storms of high winds with snow and sleet were foretold. So we moved the event to the forecourt of St Michael-le-Belfrey church.
On the morning the expected storms with high winds did not take place, we had snow instead. As I was booked to go to BBC Radio York to go on Julia Booth’s programme to review the Sunday Papers, I went by the nearby baptismal site and got a shot of it covered in Easter Day snow.
The bad weather did come. Just before the baptisms it was cold windy sleet. The storms stopped for the baptisms and then returned when we were finished.
The event went well though. We had some of the preliminaries indoors with the York Gospel Choir and the candidates making their vows and declaring their faith. Then we all trooped out for the baptisms.
I was such a joyful event. The sun shone, the Minster bells sounded out and cheers rippled through the crowds as those baptised emerged from the pool.
Because of the hurriedly changed arrangements we had no platform or crowd control. The tank was crowded round with spectators and press cameras.
I saw a photo of the event on Christian Selvaratnam’s blog. He had to hold the camera in the air as there were so many people, and were so crowded together. Nice shot though.
Below are just a selection from those Natasha took for us.
Some more web coverage:
- The BBC news for North Yorkshire
- The York Press
- The Yorkshire Post
- One Voice York
I am sure you will find more if you search.
Click on any of the thumbnails to open them.
On Easter morning, Resurrection Day, I preached on resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, belief in it is essential for salvation and its proclamation is evidence of our salvation.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
Feedback has told us that the recording have been a bit quiet. We are trying to correct this and it seems better this time. Please bear with us, we should get it right soon.
That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Belief in the resurrection is essential for salvation
1) This truth was, and is, a foundational Christian truth
The fact of the resurrection has been a foundational Christian truth from the beginning, and was central to the proclamation of the Apostles and the early evangelists.
See 1 Corinthians 15:2-8
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Another early creed? Died, buried, raised, appeared!
2) Believing this truth is essential for salvation
Was Romans 10:9 the earliest recorded church creed? Was it recited in their meetings or before baptism? Quoted by Paul it must have been very early indeed, probably recited by the apostles themselves.
See 1 Peter 3:21
.. and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Resurrection through Jesus. Because of his, and therefore our resurrection, serving him is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:14-17
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 15:21
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle- sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
3) Proclaiming this truth is evidence of salvation
We begin doing this by baptism.
Baptism by immersion is a proclamation to the spectators of these truths, is a confession of the candidates own faith, is the inauguration of the new risen life of the believer founded on the truth of his resurrection and their ‘death’.
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Since Jesus Christ is God his price is of infinite value, because he is a man he is able to represent us and take our place in the place of punishment.
Conclusion
See Romans 6:3-5
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
What is the point of being raised, able to live in newness of life, if we don’t do it?
The Truth, receive it, believe it, proclaim it.
Have you been watching the BBC’s series, ‘The Passion’?
Go to TheMorningFlight and see what Graham says.
I got an email today from John B asking me if I was the person in the picture. Probably in the light of a post on my blog entitled Scientologists Threw Me Out.
No it wasn’t me John, I haven’t worn that anorak for ages!
The article was in the York Press and entitled ‘Protesters Target Controversial Church’. It can be seen at this link.
Wish I’d been there, it must have been quite a sight!
Our planned church outing to Kiplin Hall on Easter Monday will be postponed due to the awful weather forecast. We will put it in the diary for a later date.
What a shame, the Kiplin Hall website have been advertising their ‘Easter Eggsperience’ for families in the Hall and grounds. Treasure hunt, colouring activities and more!
This is part three of John’s four part study. Here he preached on the Spirit in the life of Saul compared with the Spirit in the life of David.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
2 Kingdoms Colliding
Recap:
Samuel became Judge but was not all he could have been.
We saw that the HS is essential for leadership, even in the OT.
We looked at the appointment of Saul.
Saul the Ploughman.
1) 2 Kingdoms Colliding
2) Saul and the Spirit
3) David and the Spirit
Key Passages: 1 Sam 13:7-14 (Saul loses kingdom), 1 Samuel 18:1-11 (Saul loses his mind)
We don’t know why Samuel asked Saul to wait for seven days. But what is clear is that Saul was never meant to carry out the sacrifice, even if Samuel had never arrived. God tells Saul that his dynasty will end.
1) 2 Kingdoms Colliding (Difference between HS and evil spirit) John 1:5
We can see in 1 Samuel that where the HS is constructive, the evil spirit is destructive.
The attributes of Light (Most of these refer to David)
Throughout 1 Samuel the HS can be seen to endow people with certain abilities. Administrative ability lead and army (1 Samuel 8:15; 22:7; 8:12), the ability to perceive injustice (1 Samuel 11:6, 30:4), the ability to respond to injustice powerfully (1 Samuel 11:6; 30:17), the ability to succeed greatly where it is in harmony with God’s will (1 Samuel 18:5; 18:16), courage (1 Samuel 17:45: 26:7), peace of mind (1 Samuel 17:46; 26:24), respect and honour (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:9).
The Traits of the Darkness
However, the evil spirit fills Saul with fear and paranoia (1 Samuel 18:11,12;19:9). Saul’s fear and paranoia made him do weird things: he couldn’t think clearly, it perpetuated misjudgements (1 Samuel 14:24). He grew jealous and distrustful of David, even after an attempt on his life, David remained loyal. This would have been humiliating for Saul and undermined his authority.
2) let’s think about Saul’s anointing by Sam (again)
Saul Never Encounters God on His Accord
Saul anointed by Samuel but even just to accept the anointing God had to give him a new heart. He got three signs and then demonstrates his anointing? No, it is only the result of proximity, every other instance where Saul encounters others. With the exception of the deliverance of Jabesh Gilead, in achieving this he only achieved the very minimum of what he was called to achieve. So Saul encounters the prophets after his anointing and again much later in the narrative where he is now openly chasing David to kill him and he chases him to Ramah (where David was hiding with Samuel and where it was believed there was like a community of prophets) when Saul reaches the vicinity of Ramah, the HS comes on him and he lies there prophesying.
Nameless and fragrant or Famous but foul
Can you tell me who that community of prophets were? Can you tell me who the prophets coming down the hill were? No? They remain nameless. So who would you rather be?
Nameless
Would you be happy to remain nameless but wherever you go you carry the fragrance of the Lord.
Someone who encounters God when you are with a certain group of people. It’s the easy way.
Famous but foul
Men who have achieved, of course but did the achieve the right kind of thing. Riches on earth but no riches in heaven. You probably won’t be a nobel laurette or an oscar winner and you probably won’t have a number one album but these things matter little if you’ve been someone who has carried the fragrance of the Lord.
Which am I? The answer is both, sometimes I need to rely on others for blessing and sometimes I am the one who brings the blessing. If you feel like a Saul then seek fellowship, continual fellowship. Seek continual fellowship anyway.
3) David and the Spirit.
Saul and David’s anointing
Saul dynasty has been rejected. God tells Samuel to anoint a son of Jesse of Bethlehem, David. There are some important differences between Saul’s anointing and David’s anointing. David is anointed as a King not a vice-regent. The HS comes on David at his anointing. Saul required a change of heart, three signs and confirmation of lots but when it came down to it he was still in his field. Initially the people had asked for a king and God gave them a vice-regent on their own terms but now God gives them a King on his terms, a man after his own heart.
Are you a Saul or a David?
Are you a Saul or a David? There was something different about the fabric of these two men. Saul was never really a man after God’s heart. Just to get him to deliver Jabesh Gilead, he had to have all these changes imposed on him. He never came willingly. That’s what you need for starters if you want to be someone after God’s own heart. You’ve at the very least got to be willing.
New hearts available today!
A willingness is a start. God can give you a new heart. Most of us here today will be people after God’s own heart. Perhaps there are some who are not but you are willing. Saul didn’t have the right heart and just as you heard Graham last week mention Jer 31:31-33. there were prophets in the OT that anticipated a time when new hearts would be freely available. This is that time. You can ask God for a new heart.
Conclusion
Help me to affect others like Saul did not. Help me to carry the fragrance of Christ.
Help me to be a David, a man after your heart.
The copier broke down this week so here’s a pdf of the News Sheet click here.
It will soon be Easter again and here in York the church leaders are getting ready for the next open-air Easter baptisms in the city centre.
I think it is only a matter of time before we hear the usual from those who suggest that the business of dating Easter is sorted out.
As a Christian you may be asked about why Easter is dated as it is. A simple answer is to say that Easter is dated according to the moon, but it is more complicated than that.
Have a look at my blog TheMorningFlight for more answers you can give.
Psalm 1 is featured again this week. This is part two of a two weeks study.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
Psalm 1 (part 2 of 2)
Last Week:
This psalm is not just brief, it is concise. Like a good poem that encompasses so much by the skilful use of very few words. It will reward those willing to meditate upon it.
“BUT!” This word is the great turning point in this Psalm as the godly and ungodly are compared.
1) The Godly Does Not (verse 1): Walk, stand, sit.
Walk - Go with the flow
Stand - Find solidarity
Sit - Linger.
2) The Godly Does (verse 2):
The godly delights in the law of God, the ways of God.
3) Why the godly “does”.
________________________
This week:
1) “Delight”
2) The Tree
3) The Spirit
Structure
See the structure of these first three verses.
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“But” is the hinge in the comparison between the godly and the ungodly in verses v1 and v2. The word “but” is also the tie between the two verses.
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Verses 2 and 3 are tied by the progression of thought as the word “delight” leads to the revelation about the tree.
1) “Delight”
There is a difference between duty and privilege.
Delight in the:
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Word Jeremiah 15:16. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
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Sabbath Isaiah 58:13,14 If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honourable, and if you honour it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
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Prayer Isaiah 56:6,7 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Not so the hypocrite
Job 27:10 May my enemies be like the wicked, my adversaries like the unjust! For what hope has the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? Does God listen to his cry when distress comes upon him? Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
Deuteronomy 16:10 Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.
“What about when I feel like a hypocrite?” you may say.
We all feel fatigue but it is not our life characteristic, not the nature of the “new man”. We all have seasons of the soul. The believer finds it an unwelcome season of the soul, not something to be clung to or prolonged. Something to be borne with patience and prayer, not delighted in.
Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Can a hypocrite delight in God?
Herod listened to the Baptist but was not converted.
See Ezekiel 33:28-33.
A person can do spiritual things yet not be in the light. See Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Carrying the Lord’s Prayer is not the same as carrying trust in God in your heart and praying it with conviction and zeal.
2) The Tree
See Jeremiah 17:8 planted/transplanted.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
“Poplar” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
This is the rendering of the Hebrew word libneh, which occurs in (Genesis 30:37) and Hosea 4:13 Several authorities are in favour of the rendering of the Authorized Version and think that “white poplar” (Populus alba) is the tree denoted: others understand the “storax tree” (Styrax officinale, Linn.). Both poplars and storax or styrax trees are common in Palestine, and either would suit the passages where the Hebrew term occurs. Storax is mentioned in Ecclus. 24:15, together with other aromatic substances. The Styrax officinale is a shrub from nine to twelve feet high, with ovate leaves, which are white underneath; the flowers are in racemes, and are white or cream-coloured.
3) The Spirit
See Isaiah 44:1-4
But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. 2 This is what the LORD says- he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Context in verse 3 is the Spirit of God. Human beings are seen as the dry and thirsty ground. Will you admit your thirst and ask for the living water.
Such a tree, with reliable foliage provides shade, shelter and fruit. I am called to be such a tree, nourished by the Spirit of God.
See Isaiah 53:1-3 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
See Luke 11:1-13
