This Week’s Experience – 10/3/2021

Message notes

Don't love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don't have the Father's love in them.

-1 John 2:15

1. Pursuing comfort reveals a spiritual inside me.

Clearly, Christ's love guides us.

-2 Corinthians 5:14a

And Jesus died for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us.

-2 Corinthians 5:15

2. Pursuing comfort eliminates my need to have .

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

-Hebrews 11:6

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

-2 Corinthians 1:5

Eliminating Counterfeit Comfort:

I must discomfort.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

-James 1:2-4

We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to
endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

-Romans 5:3-5

I am sure what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.

-Romans 8:18

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. What specific comfort appeals the most to you? Why?
2. Why do you think many people pursue comfort so much?
3. How have you seen the pursuit of comfort eliminate your
need for faith in your own life?
4. Re-read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. How does God’s comfort differ from the counterfeit comfort Gilbert spoke about?
5. What steps can you take to embrace authentic comfort?
6. What is your next step as a result of this message?