My Only Comfort
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 7/14/2013 AM |
Text: | Romans 8:28; Lord's Day 1 |
Psalters: | 269, 21, 163, 203 |
- What it is.
- What comfort is NOT.
- It is not a sentimental mood or feeling (a sense of well-being) which tranquilizes us from life’s anxieties; “It will be alright.”
- Comfort is not determined by things (having or not having them): possessions, pride, power, position, or heath.
- The word “comfort” speaks of a certainty or protection (the German word in the original).
- It calls us to stand again taking on this life in the valley of shadows and not hide behind our coping devises.
- Comfort is essentially faith’s knowledge (not mere knowledge) of the God of the Scriptures toward His people.
- What comfort is NOT.
- What must be known for comfort? That “I belong!”
- What it is NOT.
- First, faith and truth recognize a problem: I am a sinner! (I may not deny it nor excuse it).
- In my sinfulness and sin I have cut myself off from true Help and Friendship, so I am alone.
- And I only increase my problem and misery when treat only the misery without getting at its cause.
- Second, faith seizes on Scripture’s declaration of redemption in Jesus, so I belong to Him and am His responsibility.
- Jesus fully satisfied for all our sins, paying a price beyond what is needed, so the Father is well-pleased.
- And He preserves me as His possession, making all things subservient to my salvation.
- And He assures me of eternal life.
- Third, my faith knows how to show my gratitude to God for saving me: I am willing and ready to live unto Him.
- The Spirit so applies Christ’s redemption to me that I love God and want to obey and please Him.
- I am filled with the desire to render grateful returns of ardent love to Him Who first manifested so great love to me.
- My comfort is experienced.
- Comfort does not take away my misery, but enables me to respond better (properly) to my misery.
- Comfort is only experienced in the way of my constantly confessing that I “am not our own.”
- It is very hard for me to admit that I do not want to be in control of my life.
- God humbles me so I consider it happiness that I are not my own but belong to God in Christ.
- I am meant to live and die in the joy of this comfort!
- This is an “only” comfort, for while all else will disappoint, my God never does.