Psalm 34: 1, 2									Rev. S. de Marie
Psalm 34: 3, 5, 6
Psalm 94: 2, 3, 5, 7					Reading:		John 15: 18 - 16: 4
Psalm 28: 4, 5									Col. 1: 24 - 2: 7
Psalm 146: 2, 4						Text:		2 Cor. 1: 3-11

Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Bible writes about struggle and suffering because of your faith and because of the church. How do you deal with that? Do not struggle and suffering form a great obstacle?
For how do you still propagate God's Word when people turn up their noses to it? How do you still convey the richness of the gospel when the church is portrayed as a group of extremists who are a danger to society?
What appeal does the church still have if we are seen as radicalists or as a bunch of trouble-makers? How does this fit with being the church of Christ? How do we as a church go to our Lord in trouble and suffering?

I may proclaim God's Word to you from 2 Corinthians 1 under the theme:
The God of all comfort comforts His church when she shares in the sufferings of Christ
1. the content of this suffering
2. the meaning of this suffering
3. where this suffering is going to end

1. Congregation, Paul begins here with a word of praise. Even the highest praise:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comforts. 
God is not a God who only watches over our suffering. No. He deserves the highest praise because He comforts us in all our affliction. In verse 5, Paul speaks of the sufferings of Christ that abounded upon him and Timothy. What suffering does Paul mean here? The suffering on earth is not all the same. We know suffering in physical or psychological diseases, limitations and deterioration. As a curse over guilt of sins. But, Christ bore this curse of the guilt of sins on the cross, for believers. For all who believe, God's curse on life has thus turned into a blessing. However, there is still the suffering as a result of sin for the believers. That suffering ends in the death of your body. But God's blessing makes this death a doorway for you us to eternal glory. Even now in a cursed world you may be united with Christ by faith, and nothing and no one can separate you from His love. That is God's glorious blessing on your faith. Even with physical suffering.
In addition, as part of the curse, we also know suffering from violent and malicious oppression, crime, terrorism. That suffering also affects not only unbelievers but also believers. Sickness and violence can also mean a severe test for the believer. Think of Job. But the comfort then is that we are Christ's property in life and death.
But Congregation, this suffering of sickness and violence that we share with unbelievers is not meant in our text. Verse 5 mentions "the suffering of Christ." That is suffering for Christ's sake. Suffering because you belong to Christ, suffering because you follow Christ and serve and honour Him. Believers experience that suffering, but unbelievers do not. As an apostle of Christ, Paul experienced that suffering, but the congregation of Christ will also experience this.
In what situation does Paul bring this up? There were sinful practices in the congregation. That is what his first letter was about. Then he wrote a second which has been lost. A tearful letter. After that, the situation in Corinth improved somewhat, but Paul still has to admonish the Corinthians about important wrongs, including that people turn against him as an apostle. But above all he wants to encourage and teach them. He therefore shows that his and the church's suffering should be viewed positively. Yes, that encouragement comes from it.
But why can suffering be called positive? Does not rebellion against Paul argue against his apostleship? Didn't Paul fail? Does general contempt of the church not testify against the church? Does the church not stand a chance if it doesn't get recognition? Is the church still attractive when there is internal strife? Is not everything doomed to failure?
But Paul contradicts this. You should not look to the people, but to the Lord. Find out what the Lord thinks of it. Those afflictions themselves are no proof of disapproval on the part of the Lord. They happened to Paul precisely because of his faithfulness to the Lord as an apostle. He experienced trouble and suffering in his official work, as suffering for Christ's sake, precisely because he is a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ! Paul does not work for himself, he is in the service of Christ. As an ambassador He preaches the Christ, and that is precisely what provokes protest and resistance. They don't want to listen to that. Thus one also opposes Christ Himself. That is precisely why Paul experiences tribulation and was persecuted to the death.
The Lord Jesus foretold this just before His death, in John. 15: 20:
Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do to you for My name's sake.
Congregation, Paul experienced this firsthand.
Of all the apostles, He was the most troubled, in captivity, in blows, in perils of death. He mentions it extensively in Chapter 11.
They are troubles from the outside and from the inside, as it says in chapter 11:28
...besides the other things, what comes upon me daily; my deep concern for all the churches.
How much Paul did suffer from hostile opposition, terrible hatred and envy from without, but also misunderstanding, resistance and rebellion from within the congregations?
In Acts 20:31 he says to the brethren from Ephesus:
Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
In the verses 8 and 9 of our text, Paul cites examples of particularly severe tribulation where his life was at stake. It was abounding suffering, says verse 5, Paul is engulfed by it. But, that is not proof that God is against me or that Christ rejects me. No, it is precisely all 'suffering for Christ's sake'. “Suffering of Christ”
Brothers and sisters, Paul also addresses you as a congregation in verse 6. As a body of Christ you will encounter the same suffering as Paul and the other apostles. As "suffering of Christ". For the anti-church world is dominated by the great adversary, who hates Christ and who therefore hates his church. He goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour.
We read In Revelation that after the Ascension the devil makes war against the rest of the woman's offspring. That is why as a church you experience hatred, struggle, suffering, horror and sadness. But if you follow the Lord, you may know to your comfort: this happens to us because of Christ, this too belonged to Christ's journey to the final victory.
Hatred, mockery, scorn, violence, it came down all at once to the Lord Jesus Christ. Precisely from His own people who rejected Him, as part of the wrath of God, which He suffered for us for our redemption. That was for his one-time atoning suffering, unique, complete, unrepeatable.
But now that Christ has suffered all suffering for the purpose of his atonement, and now He directs and governs his church from heaven, there still remains suffering from the side of the devil and of men. As expressions of the final battle of the seed of the serpent against the seed of the woman. As a token of the war of the kingdom of Satan against the kingdom of Christ.
This suffering includes the blood of the apostles and martyrs. With that suffering include afflictions of the church. That suffering takes place in external and internal struggle, the struggle for truth and the struggle for true peace.
That suffering will be over one day, with the return of Christ. It is that suffering for Christ's sake, of which Paul in Col. 1:24 says:
I now rejoice in my suffering for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
Brothers and sisters, The suffering of Christ may be very different for the Church, but it always stems from the struggle against Christ and His Church, whether from within or without. If you experience that suffering, for the sake of Christ and his church, because of your obedience to the Lord, realize that in that very suffering you are connected with your Lord, as your Head and Saviour. He will take you through that suffering to your glorification.
If the Church completely lacks that suffering of Christ, you must ask yourself whether you have not adapted yourself to the world, whether you are really proclaiming the Christ and Him crucified as the wisdom of God, which is a folly and stumbling block to many.
But when you do encounter suffering as a church, you will also have to consider whether this suffering is for Christ's sake, or whether this suffering is due to your own wrong and sinful behaviour. As a Christian and as a church you are not allowed to suffer as a wrongdoer, as 1 Pet. 3 indicates.
Christ requires faithfulness from us. Faithful, in teaching and living, inwardly and outwardly. Serving the truth and unity. If you live as a church in this way and therefore experience tribulation and troubles for the sake of Christ, there may also be joy in the connection with Christ in that tribulation. Then you can expect all help and assistance from Him in your troubles and suffering.

2. The God of all comfort comforts His church when she shares in the sufferings of Christ. We have paid attention to the content of this suffering. We now consider, as a second point, the meaning of this suffering.
No form of suffering is outside of God. 
He is not the author, nor cause of evil, but God does ordain and direct everything. He can and will even use evil for good, for all who love Him. In all forms of suffering the believer will then be allowed to look up and know that nothing happens beyond the Lord God. He looks after his children and will help them through it. Thus for believers there is comfort in all forms of suffering. The only comfort in life and death.
The subject of our text is then about comfort in the suffering of Christ. This form of suffering is extra difficult to accept. Why? Because this suffering does not happen to unbelievers. But congregation, God, also in this suffering for Christ's sake, is not a passive spectator. He also disposes of this suffering. This too is in all things according to His counsel.
That was true of the atoning suffering of Christ. The Lord had to undergo this suffering. That also applies to this suffering that His church has to undergo. This suffering therefore has meaning, it has a purpose. God Himself gives it that meaning and purpose.
He is the Father of mercies, says Paul in verse 3. He looks with compassion on you, as His people, in the midst of suffering, to help you as His people and to save you through it. God is not unmoved by what happens to you. He just won't let it happen. On the contrary! You are the apple of His eye as a church! You have been bought and paid for by Christ as His people. A people belonging to God. You are the people of God's good pleasure, are you not?
God shows His mercies to those who love Him. The church may know that, yes, the church will experience that when she is oppressed. For God will comfort her then. As the God of all comfort... The God, who in His omnipotence is able to comfort you in all circumstances. Who has the power to always do that. He is the Father of mercies the God of all comfort.  He gives you, as His church, His grace and peace in all the situations that you have to go through, provided that you continue to follow the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully. Even in those troubles and tribulations.
Just when it storms, just when the faithful church has a hard time with struggle from without or from within, just then can she experience that God is the Father of mercies, as Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Father of the Redeemer of our lives, our Surety, our Advocate at His right hand. Thus God encourages, teaches and comforts us as His adopted children just when we need it so much.
God is here then not a passively compassionate God but the God and Father who through His Son rules the world and leads the church. He comforts in all situations where it is needed. He leaves nothing uncomforted toward His church. He shall and can and will provide a complete solution when needed.
But what is that “comfort and consolation”? Those words are mentioned ten times in our text! The Greek word is related to the work of a Paraclete, a Comforter. To comfort is literally “called to give help”. That doesn't just indicate helping to cope with difficulties. But is really being with us, assisting us, giving us firmness with His divine hand, supporting us, encouraging us, urging us. God's help as our Comforter can be through education, exhortation and encouragement. So that there is again insight and perspective, so that there are opportunities for life again.
Congregation, the Lord Jesus is our great Comforter at the right hand of God the Father. He is with us, as believers, every day until His return. The Holy Spirit has also been given to us as the second Comforter. Thus here it is also said of God the Father: God of all comfort..  Thus the triune God comes to us with His whole Word, as Word for preservation, for comfort.
The Lord Jesus is thereby the Good Shepherd. He comforts his sheep with rod and staff, think of Psalm 23. What comfort it gives when you believe in Him!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness. For his name's sake, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and his staff, they comfort me!
The Lord does this with His rod and staff of instruction, correction and admonishment, but above all encouragement and reinforcement. In this way you receive from Him a view, certainty, stability, rest and peace. The work of his ambassadors, the apostles, and later the elders, is also there for you as a congregation to comfort you on behalf of Christ, the chief shepherd. They do this by teaching, exhorting, encouraging you with God's Word to live rightly with God and Christ for your salvation. And to be strengthened to go on in trouble, especially in the suffering of Christ.
In his sufferings of Christ Paul invoked God's help and assistance. He received comfort from God in his trouble. He never did this in vain. Thus Paul is constantly encouraged and strengthened and saved. Thus Paul was comforted to continue in the service of the Lord.
This is how Paul was able to continually experience:
My God is as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all comfort.
Paul was spared nothing of misery, which is why he received so much comfort. That comfort gave him the strength to bear the suffering, to endure it, even if he almost succumbed to it.
In our text we read that through his rich consolation and strengthening Paul in turn can now also comfort and encourage the church in Corinth with God's Word. Paul has been so tried and refined by the Lord that he can now pass on God's comfort through his preaching and letters, even to the church of all ages.
Congregation, not only does suffering come to you because of Christ, but also the consolation of it comes from Him, says Paul in verse 5. If the sufferings of Christ abound, the consolation through him abounds too. You thus get strength to bear the cross.
Paul's suffering is not so useless, there is tremendous use in it. It leads to his perseverance and salvation, but also to the perseverance and salvation of the church then, and even of us.
Congregation by suffering you learn from Whom your strength comes. Through suffering you learn to renounce your own strength. To expect your help and assistance and strength from the Lord alone. In this way He will continually comfort and strengthen you.
In chapters 12 and 13 Paul discusses this further. That the power of Christ is made perfect in weakness. That the power of Christ becomes visible precisely when you suffer tribulation and yet are allowed to persevere, when you are a challenged church and yet spread the gospel. God's power thus shows itself fully in our own weakness. Paul says in 12:10:
when I am weak then I am strong.
The church at Corinth and we too must go that way. Let us continue to see that the communion with Christ makes you undergo suffering and affliction, but that at the same time the communion with Christ makes you strong to endure all this and to persevere in the faith.
In the power that God works through Christ, we too can endure our suffering. Then your foot will not slip, you will not become discouraged and you will not give up the fight.
Paul gives us another special example in verses 8-10 of excruciating suffering from which he was saved. For encouragement and stimulation. There he tells of a situation in which there was no longer any possibility to keep it up; death seemed inevitable. We are not sure what event Paul is thinking of. Perhaps at the riot of Demetrius in Acts 19, perhaps the shipwreck of 2 Cor. 11:25.
In any case, Paul lost all courage, the overbearing forces seemed too strong. As an apostle it seemed impossible to him to continue his mission of preaching the gospel. But how else could the gospel be spread all over the world? While Paul is near death, he still clings to the promise and command of God. He then considers, just like Abraham did when he had to slay Isaac, that God is able to even raise him from the dead!
God has wrought such great faith in Paul: to give up all self-reliance and expect everything alone from God and his unwavering promises. No, Paul is not so much afraid of death at that moment, but he fears that he cannot continue his ministry. But he must also leave that to the Lord. The Lord will provide for that too! In the same way as God provided a sacrifice for Abraham.
Paul too must live entirely out of God's hand. And thereby accept that God's ways are so much higher and different from our ways.
Paul says more here. He has also become stronger. He now knows that the Lord will deliver him again in the future to be able to finish his work, come what may. Verse 10:
...in whom we trust that He still will deliver us.
Well congregation, this is now the meaning of suffering, in order to be able to live comforted in the strength of the Lord. To expect everything from Him alone, for now and the future. What an important message for us as a church at this time!.
We also have setbacks. No, they cannot be compared to what Paul experienced. But setbacks that indicate the suffering of Christ.
Thus the Lord will teach us to be obedient and to keep our hopes in Him, and to seek our help and assistance in Him alone, come what may. Likewise, God is the Father of mercies to us today. And the God of all comfort. Let us then, as a congregation, continue to expect it from Him alone.
God has promised this, that He will not leave His faithful church, the church that follows Christ wherever He goes. He has promised that the church that builds upon Him and His Word will not be overwhelmed by the gates of Hades. We may test ourselves on this, we may plead for it. That gives us comfort.

3. The God of all comfort comforts His church when she shares in the sufferings of Christ. 1st. the content of this suffering, 2nd. the meaning of this suffering. Finally, we now see the third point where it is going to end.
The suffering of Christ, and the thereby consolation of God through Christ, may have a tremendous effect on the church. It makes her a living community again, which relies on God. As a church that knows itself completely dependent on its Lord every moment. The church will thus want to live closer to God, for she expects all her help from Him.
We will listen more attentively to the words of comfort in the proclamation of the Gospel. We're really going to drink that in. We will also consider that. We also want to live out of that. That will also have an effect on our prayer life, It will become more intensive. That is, we will put everything before Him in our prayer.
God's comfort in times of pressure becomes for God's church the strengthening of her whole life of faith. She no longer lives from trust in herself, but more and more from trust in the Lord, building on His promises. We may realize more and more clearly that we are children and property of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So also now you receive strength from God's Word and upon your prayer, so you can endure suffering and tribulation, reproach and ridicule, endure it, and persevere in it. That is the effect of suffering and comfort. Paul also mentions intercession in verse 11. That intercession is a mighty weapon in battle, a mighty means of persevering in suffering.
Paul mentions this here especially in view of his work as an apostle. For his apostleship was challenged in Corinth by some haughty mock apostles. That too caused a lot of suffering for Paul. It made the progress and openness of his work as an apostle into the congregation more difficult. Paul here mentions the intercession of the congregation as a means of helping him, and thus cooperating with him. Much prayer is needed for the comfort and strengthening of the apostle Paul's ministry.
Paul often refers to this in his letters. Also, for example, in Eph. 6:18 and 19. The armour of God to endure in battle requires prayer and intercession. For yourself, but also for the ministers and office bearers.
For, this is the way that the Lord wants us to pray to Him. He wants to be asked for the progress and coming of his kingdom. He wants to hear prayer for the Spirit as a comforter to his church, So that the Word of comfort may continue to resound and the work of comfort may be carried out.
Congregation, let us also always intercede for the consistory and office bearers, that they may stand firm in the faith. May they remain faithful to their Lord. That they are examples for the congregation and that they can handle their heavy work and not give way.
Let us also always intercede for each other as brothers and sisters, to hold fast to what we have been given, and to bear witness in a wicked world and continue to profess the name of Christ. To maintain unity in Christ. The comfort we receive in our prayers and the deliverance we experience time and again may be an additional incentive to do so.
Finally Paul mentions here again the ultimate goal, to which everything must lead: our collective praise to the Lord. Paul closes with expressing thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for his comfort. Verse 11:
....that thanksgiving may be given for us by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
All are now comforted. The apostle, Paul's co-workers and the congregation. Thankful to God, who made the congregation pray, who has answered these prayers, and has given comfort and salvation.
And we? Can we remain behind? Yes, there are troubles and worries enough, but we know it comes from the hand of the Lord. And that He does not make us faint. He give strengthen and comfort in those troubles, He carries us through suffering. Well, then all praise will come to Him.
Even if the difficulties are not gone and the worries pile up. The Lord leads us on. His name must receive eternal glory. Hallelujah,

Amen.