The Ministry of Giving Comfort

Part 4

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Introduction

To the degree we learn to master the following spiritual skills, our ability to bring real comfort to others will be multiplied.

As noted previously:

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IV. How to Offer Comfort

A. We Must Share God's Word of Comfort

B. We Must Rely on the Holy Spirit of Comfort

C. We Must Utilize Christ’s Ministry of Protection in Trials.

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D. We Must Look to the Future—Short-term, Long-term, Eternal

E. We Must Offer Our Own Experience of Faith

F. We Must Offer Our Help in a Firm but Friendly Manner.

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I begin now to share four more skills Christians must develop in order to be well-prepared to minister comfort to others in their time of pain and anxiety. The first is . . .

G. We Must Offer Our Support.

1. Showing faith is the most effective way to share faith and bring encouragement.

(Rom 1:12 NIV) . . . that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

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2. Persevering through our own trials is the most effective way to encourage others to persevere through theirs.

(2 Cor 1:6-7 NIV) 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. {7} 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.

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3. Sharing our concern for others relieves their feelings of alienation and brings joy to the those who need to know that others care for them.

(2 Cor 7:7 NIV) [Titus] told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

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4. Sharing the burden of others and providing them release from the care and pressure of their suffering is the quickest way to restore their strength and spirit.

a. Paul was relieved in the burdens of his ministry by caring friends.

(1 Cor 16:17-18 NIV) I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. {18} For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

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b. Paul encouraged the church to bear the burdens of other members in their weakness. When one is hurt, it should hurt us all.

(Rom 15:1-3 NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. {2} Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. {3} For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

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(1 Cor 12:24-27 NIV) Our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, {25} so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. {26} If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

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5. Teaching about our ultimate victory in Christ can reduce the fear about the present evil in the world and coming judgment.

(1 Th 5:3-11 NIV) While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. {4} But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

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{5} You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. {6} So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. {7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. {8} But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

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{9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. {10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. {11} Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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H. We Must Be Ready to Forgive and Seek Forgiveness.

We must speak first concerning . . .

1. The unfortunate fact is that it may become necessary from time to time to rebuke or censure individuals in the body of Christ.

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The Greek words “elegko” and “epitimao” (meaning “to rebuke or censure”) are two words frequently translated “rebuke” in the New Testament. Note these biblical principles.

a. Jesus rebuked his disciples (Peter, James, and John in particular), as well as demons and disease.

b. It is a pastoral responsibility and must be done to fulfill biblical purposes.

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(2 Tim 4:1-2 NIV) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

(Titus 2:15b NIV) Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

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(2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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c. It is an individual believer’s responsibility.

(Mat 18:15-16 NIV) "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. {16} But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'

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d. It the church’s responsibility as a body to minister rebuke to the unrepentant.

(Mat 18:17 NIV) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

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All of this has been noted so that the we might remind ourselves of the ministry of giving comfort to the repentant believer.

2. The liberating principle is that the scripture commands us to forgive a repentant believer in order to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed with sorrow and alienated from fellowship and service with other Christians.

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a. The church is to rebuke its members then forgive them readily when they return with repentance.

(Luke 17:3-4 NIV) So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. {4} If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

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b. The church’s goal is restoration and relief from the overwhelming sorrow the repenting brother or sister may be experiencing.

(2 Cor 2:5-8 NIV) If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. {6} The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

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{7} Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. {8} I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

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c. The church’s model for forgiveness and restoration is no less than God Himself.

(1 John 1:9 NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

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I. We Must Speak Uplifting Words

1. The words of some are stagnant and unhealthy, but good counsel has the effect of life-giving wisdom.

(Prov 18:4 NIV) The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

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2. The words most helpful are those that come from the counsel of God’s Word.

(1 Pet 4:10-11a NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. {11} If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.

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3. The words most uplifting to those who do not know Christ are those of the gospel that offer eternal life.

(1 Cor 1:17-18 NIV) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. {18} For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

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J. We Must Stand by Those Who Need Comfort.

No one should have to suffer alone.

(Eccl 4:10 NIV) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

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(2 Cor 7:3b NIV) I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

Conclusion

How far are you willing to go to insure that a fellow believer would not have to suffer alone?