14/3/2021 [Sunday Message] www.lifechurchmissions.com

Embracing realities with unshakeable comfort <2 Co 1:3-4, 8-11; Php 2:1,5-8; Ro 6:18-20; Rev 7:10, 15-17; Mt 25:21>

1. The way to view life realities - the purposes of life as ordained by God

Read: <2 Co 1:3-4, 8-11>

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 

9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 

10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 

11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

1) The first comfort we can receive through facing pains and deaths is to see that our faith is valid.

2) Our burdens are lightened when we are weaned off from the world.

3) When we learn obedience, we gain confidence in believing God.

2. Becoming slaves to God - the glorious significance of purposeful Christian living, though repugnant to the world

1) Purchased with Christ’s own blood, we are no longer slaves to sin.

Read: <Php 2:1, 5-8; Ro 6:18-20>

Php 2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Ro 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.

2) Consider yourselves slaves to God in practice, for a servant can still serve two masters.

3. Is Heaven finally resting from labor and doing nothing? We will instead be in charge of many more things.

Read: <Rev 7:10,15-17; Mt 25:21>

Rev 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

15 Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Mt 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

1) God redeems us to be with Him and to produce worshippers.

2) We will reign with Christ, have responsibilities that keep us busy, yet not feel weary or have tears.

3) Prepare being ready at all times, and “light your lamps” to serve God.