My Only Comfort

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Romans 8:28; Lord's Day 1
Psalters: 269, 21, 163, 203
  1. What it is.
    1. What comfort is NOT.
      1. It is not a sentimental mood or feeling (a sense of well-being) which tranquilizes us from life’s anxieties; “It will be alright.”
      2. Comfort is not determined by things (having or not having them): possessions, pride, power, position, or heath.
    2. The word “comfort” speaks of a certainty or protection (the German word in the original).
      1. It calls us to stand again taking on this life in the valley of shadows and not hide behind our coping devises.
      2. Comfort is essentially faith’s knowledge (not mere knowledge) of the God of the Scriptures toward His people.
  2. What must be known for comfort? That “I belong!”
    1. What it is NOT.
    2. First, faith and truth recognize a problem: I am a sinner! (I may not deny it nor excuse it).
      1. In my sinfulness and sin I have cut myself off from true Help and Friendship, so I am alone.
      2. And I only increase my problem and misery when treat only the misery without getting at its cause.
    3. Second, faith seizes on Scripture’s declaration of redemption in Jesus, so I belong to Him and am His responsibility.
      1. Jesus fully satisfied for all our sins, paying a price beyond what is needed, so the Father is well-pleased.
      2. And He preserves me as His possession, making all things subservient to my salvation.
      3. And He assures me of eternal life.
    4. Third, my faith knows how to show my gratitude to God for saving me: I am willing and ready to live unto Him.
      1. The Spirit so applies Christ’s redemption to me that I love God and want to obey and please Him.
      2. I am filled with the desire to render grateful returns of ardent love to Him Who first manifested so great love to me.
  3. My comfort is experienced.
    1. Comfort does not take away my misery, but enables me to respond better (properly) to my misery.
    2. Comfort is only experienced in the way of my constantly confessing that I “am not our own.”
      1. It is very hard for me to admit that I do not want to be in control of my life.
      2. God humbles me so I consider it happiness that I are not my own but belong to God in Christ.
      3. I am meant to live and die in the joy of this comfort!
    3. This is an “only” comfort, for while all else will disappoint, my God never does.