True Comfort in Sufferings
- Hien Nguyen
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Bible Text: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever…and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).
SERMON OUTLINES
You and I have experienced many kinds of sufferings in our lives — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We suffer physically when we fall and injure ourselves, or when sickness brings headaches, muscle pains, joint pains, or bowel pains. Others endure far greater physical pain through car accidents, violent attacks,
torture, earthquakes, or wars. Many also suffer through surgeries, chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, and other severe treatments. People suffer mentally and emotionally when they are despised, misunderstood, misjudged, or criticised; when they lose their jobs or loved ones; or when they face stress, depression, broken relationships, insults, or betrayal. Many also suffer spiritually under Satan’s temptations, attacks, and deceptions through heathen religions, heresies, sorceries, mediums, necromancy, and occult practices. Christians likewise suffer spiritually through Satan’s accusations, persecutions, and assaults in spiritual warfare, as well as through the chastening and trials from the loving and holy heavenly Father. Sometimes all these sufferings come at once, as in the life of Job, who endured Satan’s accusations, the loss of his wealth, children, health, and respect. Even his three friends came to comfort him, but to Job, they were his miserable comforters (Job 16:2).
Yet no human being has ever suffered as deeply as the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to die for our sins. Because He suffered much more than all, He knows perfectly how to comfort us when we trust in Him and rely on Him. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:16-18). What does it mean? Do you desire to have true comfort from the Triune God in your sufferings?
I. True Comfort from the Triune God, His Word, and His Providence
In our sufferings, we need a comforter. Here, the Lord Jesus is our Comforter, and He prayed to the Father to give us another Comforter of equal quality, even the Holy Spirit. “The noun “comforter,” in Greek, paráklētos, means a legal advisor, pleader, or advocate, one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another.” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary). From God’s Word, the Holy Bible, we can know and experience true comfort from the Triune God, from His Word, His saints, and His sovereign providence.
1. Comfort from God the Father: His love, His election, His forgiveness, salvation, sanctification, His comfort, loving care, and protection, etc. (Matt 6:31-32; Luke 15:18-32; John 3:16; 10:29; 17:17; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Eph 1:3-4).
2. Comfort from the Lord Jesus Christ: His love, His election, His death, resurrection, intercession, forgiveness, salvation, sanctification, deliverance, comfort, protection, and loving care as our Great High Priest, Lord, Saviour, Good Shepherd, our All, etc. (John 10:9, 27-28; 15:16; Rom 7:24-25; 8:34-37; Col 3:11; Heb 4:14-16; 7:25).
3. Comfort from the Holy Spirit: His indwelling, His love, conviction, quickening, regeneration, sanctification, intercession, comfort, teaching, guidance, power, seal, etc.(John 3:5; 6:63; 14:17; 16:7-13, 26; Rom 8:26; Eph 1:13)
4. Comfort from God’s Word: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Ps 119:50).
5. Comfort from God’s godly servants and children (Eph 6:22; Col 4:7-8, 11; 1 Thess 3:2; 5:14).
6. Comfort from God’s sovereignty and providence (Matt 10:30-31; Rom 8:28).
7. Comfort from Christ’s second Coming with the resurrection of the saints & the Rapture (1 Thess 4:16-18).
II. HOW TO ENJOY TRUE COMFORT FROM THE TRIUNE GOD
1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved and born again to be God’s children (John 1:12-13; 3:5).
2. Seek God, His Word, His strength, His comfort, and the communion of His saints (Matt 6:33; 2 Cor 1:3-4).
3. Trust in God, His promises and sovereignty, and commit all things to Him in prayer (Phil 4:6-7; Heb 4:16).
4. Look unto Jesus Christ, who has suffered the most for us, for His comfort & encouragement (Heb 12:2-3).
5. By God’s grace, be a comfort to others (2 Cor 1:4; 1 Thess 4:18; Heb 10:24-25).
III. CONCLUSION
You and I live in a world filled with suffering and sorrow. True comfort does not come from within ourselves or from the world. It comes from the Triune God — from His Word, His salvation, and His gracious providence. May the Lord help us wisely seek Him and His Word first, and may He draw us into communion with His saints, even godly and like-minded brethren with their prayer, so that we may experience His true comfort in our sufferings. And may the Lord make us a blessing and a comfort to others. Amen. HN.
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