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"How to Comfort One Another in the Family of God”
We live in a time of great STRESS and STRAIN. Our world is immersed in TROUBLES, SORROWS, STRUGGLES, CONFLICTS, PAIN and SUFFERING.
People's lives and families are being TORN APART. All around us, there are individuals, families, churches and even nations that are facing PROBLEMS OF EXTREME MAGNITUDE.
Let us face it! Sunday after Sunday many people who come to the House of God, portray life as if everything is just fine, but deep down on the inside, they are anything but fine. It appears on the outside that there is PEACE and JOY as if everything is OK. But on the inside, there is PAIN. Something has shattered their lives, and more than anything they need to be comforted, and encouraged.
In continuing our studies on “How to treat one another in the family of God,” we come to an area in which the people of God in this church, in your church, need to display care and concern to those all around us who are hurting. In Colossians 2:1-2 we read, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
In verse 1, you will notice Paul's INTENSE DESIRE for the church in Colosse in the words, “that ye knew what great conflict I have for you” The word “CONFLICT” comes from the word "AGONA," from which we get our English word "AGONY." This was a wrestling term in Paul’s day. Paul was agonizing over, or wrestling with, his PRAYERS, PREACHING, COUNSELING and WRITING.
Paul was in agony for the saints, so they would be “WALKING WITH THE LORD AS THEY OUGHT TO WALK.” By the way, this attitude ought to be found in the heart of every pastor and preacher, as they agonize over the messages meant to keep folks walking in the Lord.
The agonizing concerns of Paul for the people of this church at Colosse are spelled out for us in verse 2. “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;” One of these agonizing concerns is found in the word “comforted.” Paul's intense desire was to “COMFORT” the hearts of the believers in Colosse. In our church, one of GOD’S GOALS is for us to comfort one another in the family of God.
The word “comfort” in verse 1 comes from the Greek word "Paraklesis." The word is made up of "para"meaning "besides," and "kaleo" meaning "to call." When we putthese two root words together we have "one who stands by you in need."
If we are to understand the ministry of comforting one another in the Family of God, we need to use all FIVE channels of comfort mentioned in the Word of God.
FIRST: There is the COMFORT of GOD: In II Corinthians 1:3-4 we have a passage that is TIMELESS in its comfort to believers. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercy, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Please notice the phrase at the end of verse 3, "The God of all comfort." "The God of all comfort" is able to relieve the painful pressures so that we are able to bear trials, troubles and tribulations without losing heart.
Our trials, however slight or severe, have God’s attention. David expressed it in Psalm 103:13-14 where we read, "As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." Thank God His comfort is infinite, inexhaustible, andimmutable. Our afflictions are temporary and transient. God's comfort is everlasting; it is available at all times. No Christian is left to face sickness and sorrow alone. God said in Isaiah 66:13, "'As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.''
The best thing to do in comforting others is to focus on God. The Christian who is suffering needs a comfort that only God can give. As our loving Comforter, God stands by our side to minister the soothing balm we need.
We ought to THANK GOD for the trials of life, because as God takes us through them, He is preparing us to help someone else to go through them. It could be that God has taken YOU through or is now taking you through some suffering or adverse situation in life for the purpose of bringing comfort to someone who will face a similar problem on their life.
SECOND: There is the COMFORT of the WORD OF GOD: How often in times of sorrow or problems has the soul been weighed down. Then within the pages of the Word of God we have found comfort; we have found hope. It is in the Word of God where we find great comfort helping us to get on our feet.
In Romans 15:4 we read, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
In Psalms 119:49-50 we read, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. (50) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
THIRD: There is the COMFORT of the HOLY SPIRIT: Turning to John 16:7 On the evening before His crucifixion, Jesus said to His disciples, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you…” Here we find that the Holy Spirit is our "COMFORTER." The Holy Spirit is "one who stands by you in need."
I know this from first-hand experience. There may have been a day when some painful experience came into your life, when you felt pain, as you have never before felt pain in your soul. You felt all alone.
You tried to read your BIBLE, but it didn't make sense.
You tried to PRAY, but to no avail.
You tried to SERVE God in some ministry, but you felt useless.
You tried to look as normal as possible, but deep inside, your soul was in deep pain.
Then, all of a sudden, there came over you a sense of the PRESENCE OF GOD. And in the midst of that TEST or that TRIAL, you felt a sweet PEACE way down deep in your soul. You ask who that was. My friend that was the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit of God, Our COMFORTER PUTTING HIS ARMS UNDER US, AND AROUND US.
FOURTH: There is the COMFORT of the LORD JESUS CHRIST:Perhaps as no other chapter, the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John is a tremendous comfort to those who have a troubled heart. Herein we find a number of precious truths relative to comfort that the Lord Jesus Christ shared with His deeply troubled disciples on the evening before His crucifixion.
A. There is the COMFORT of FAITH in verse 1 where Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me." What a comfort faith is to us. Jesus said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me."
Believe in My power, as "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
Believe in My promises, as "the promises of God are yea and amen."
Believe in My prayer for you, as "He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Believe in My presence, for "Lo, I am with you always."
Believe in My preparations, for "I go to prepare a place for you."
Think of the comfort of faith. Jesus said, "Believe in me." The presence of faith is a mighty power, as well as a mighty comfort to the soul.
B. There is the COMFORT of HOPE in verses 2-6 where Jesus taught His disciples that the temporary separation was to be succeeded by an eternal reunion. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (5) Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The hope Jesus holds out is of an everlasting home that He will take us to upon His return.
Hope sees beyond the cloud, beyond the obstacle, beyond the hardship, beyond the weakness, beyond the failures, beyond the difficulty.
Hope says to us, "Never accept the verdict of your defeat, the verdict of your melancholy, the verdict of your sickness, the verdict of your disaster, or the verdict of your disappointment."
In II Corinthians 5:1 we read, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." While we wait for Christ’s return to be re-united with our loved ones who have preceded us in death, in I Thessalonians 4:18 we read, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Thank God for the comfort of Hope.
C. There is the COMFORT OF LOVE in verse 21 where Jesus said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him…" The hymn writer wrote, and you have sung:
O love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
My richer, fuller be.
O Joy, that seekest me thro' pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow thro' the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
Thank God, His love is not fickle, here today and gone tomorrow. He loves us with an everlasting love that also is a comfort to the soul.
D. There is the COMFORT of PRAYER in John 14:13-14 where Jesus said to His disciples, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” What a promise, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” In whatever situation you find yourself, you need to pray.
We are told in Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
We are encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
We are admonished in Luke 18:1, "That men ought ALWAYS to pray, and not to faint."
Somewhere I read this:
Whenever we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do.
Whenever we depend upon man's work, we get what man's work can do.
Whenever we depend upon money, we get just what money can do.
Whenever we depend upon our preaching, we get just what preaching can do.
Whenever we DEPEND UPON PRAYER, WE GET WHAT GOD CAN DO!
What we need in our homes, in our nation, and our church is WHAT GOD CAN DO! That will only come through prayer. AMEN! and AMEN! Our song should ever be, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care…”
E. There is the COMFORT of PEACE found in John 14:27 where Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace is such a precious jewel that many people would give anything for it. But real peace is ours only through the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is our peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1. Horatio G. Spafford, who had experienced the pain of losing his daughters at sea, wrote the beloved Hymn, It is Well with My Soul:
When PEACE like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well; it is well with my soul."
Thus far we have seen four channels of comfort from the Word of God. There is:
The comfort of God found in II Corinthians 1:3-4,
The comfort of the Word of God found in Romans 15:4,
The comfort of the Holy Spirit found in John 16:7, and
The comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ found in John 14.
FIFTH: There is the COMFORT of the SAINTS:Returning to our primary text found in Colossians 2:1-2 we find that Paul's intense desire was to “COMFORT” the hearts of the believers in Colosse. Apparently Paul succeeded. Why do I say that? Turn to Colossians 4:7-15, and notice the ROLL CALL of the people in that church.
“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: (8) Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; (9) With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. (10) Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (11) And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”
Notice again in verse 11 what Paul said about these men, “These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.” These men had been a “COMFORT” to Paul.
Now the word "COMFORT" in Colossians 4:11 is a different Greek word from the word "COMFORTED" in Colossians 2:2. The word used here is the word "PAREGORIA." From this word we get our ENGLISH word "PAREGORIC" which comes from the word OPIUM. OPIUM is a pain relieving drug. Paul is saying these men in Colossians 4:11 have been like a drug to me, they have relieved me of my discomforts.
Let me remind you that the book of Colossians is one of Paul's prison epistles. When it was written, the Apostle Paul was in prison. However, these dear men in this assembly had not been a burden to Paul. They had not been critical of Paul. They had not forsaken Paul in his time of need.
These men had LESSENED Paul’s PAIN.
These men had TAKEN THE PRESSURE OFF.
These men had GONE OUT OF THEIR WAY to make the Apostle Paul more comfortable while sitting in prison.
What a group of men! Paul said that these men had been a fortifying influence in his life to keep him on his feet. My friend, this is what you and I should be to one another in this church.
Perhaps TODAY someone has a HEARTACHE that you, by the grace of God, are able to lessen.
Perhaps TOMORROW it will be you who has a pain or difficulty, that can be lessened by someone helping to take the pressure off or uplifting you in prayer.
If we are honest, we all have our difficulties and trials. All of us, at one time or another, need each other to help LESSEN THE PAIN.
I wonder if there is even one person who can say, I can't think of one problem I have in life. EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. You have got to be kidding, if you say that. We all come to the House of God with:
PROBLEMS and PRESSURES in our FAMILY,
PROBLEMS and PRESSURES with the CHILDREN.
PROBLEMS and PRESSURES in our FINANCES.
PROBLEMS and PRESSURES on the JOB.
PROBLEMS and PRESSURES in our SOUL.
All around us there are individuals, even within this church, who need a group of us to help lessen the pain in their lives. Here is where you come in, where I challenge you as members of this church to endeavor to be aPAREGORIC to others. When people come to the House of God we should be sensitive to their needs and provide an uplifting influence in their lives, helping to LESSEN THEIR PAIN.
Interestingly our English word "COMFORT" comes from two Latin words, “come fortus” meaning “without strength.” Literally, the word means to "GIVE STRENGTH TO ANOTHER." When we give comfort or encouragement to another, we not only LESSEN THEIR PAIN, we also give STRENGTH TO STAND ONCE AGAIN ON THEIR FEET.
In the Old Testament. Job was certainly a man with many difficulties.
He had lost his WEALTH
He had lost his FARM and all his POSSESSIONS.
He had lost his CHILDREN.
As if that was not enough, he had boils all over his body, and His wife wanted him to curse God and die.
Now in Job 4 we have one of Job's so-called comforting friends call on him. However, notice that even in the midst of all Job's problems, he was still reaching out to others, as we read in verses 3-4, “Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholded him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.” Let me read verse 4 this way. "YOUR WORDS HAVE KEPT ME ON MY FEET." What a statement!
That's what the teaching and the preaching of the Word of God should do.
That’s what the measured words of encouragement you give to others does for them.
The text is telling us that the measured words of the servant of God and the measured words of the people of God, "SHOULD KEEP MEN STANDING FOR CHRIST." You and I should be able to walk up to those who are hurting, and with our arms out-stretched say, "You are hurting, how may I help?” And if there is nothing to be done, then just say, “Let me pray for you; I love you, and I am here for you."
The goal of having God in our lives ought to be to RELIVE THE PAINof others, and in so doing GIVE OTHERS THE STRENGTH TO STAND AND WALK AS GOD DEMANDS.
Returning once again to Colossians 2:2, would you notice the phrase, "Being knit together in love.” My friends, this is the heart of the ministry.
It is a love that goes beyond the usual exchange of "HI, HOW ARE
YOU?" and LYING, you reply “GREAT! HOW ARE YOU?"
While all along, you each have within you some deep heartache.
When someone is hurting in this church there ought to be such a melting together of hearts, that the person can say, “I know you love me in Christ and NO, EVERYTHING IS NOT ALL RIGHT, I NEED YOUR HELP." Then after they share their need with you, in a caring, concerned and compassionate way you reach out to “COMFORT” them.
The theme song of this church should be, "Best be the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above." AMEN!!
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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon, "How to Comfort One Another in the Family of God” right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you. Today, ask God to give you someone to whom you can bring comfort or encouragement.
Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in
Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”
If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.
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In His Amazing Grace,
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