Overflowing Grace: Overflowing Comfort Through Suffering
Sunday Worship Service: FEBRuary 22, 2026
Overflowing Grace: Overflowing Comfort Through Suffering
Rev. Jason Noh
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
Opening: As we go through life, we cannot avoid suffering.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia.” (v.1)
Interpreting suffering.
‘Just do it’ culture
“If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” (v.6)
Thlipsis (Affliction, Tribulation)
The Great Tribulation & The General Tribulation
Learning proper postures for facing suffering.
“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raised the dead.” (v.9)
Old nature vs. New nature
The 1st Adam vs. The 2nd Adam
Good Suffering vs. Wasted Suffering
“He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (v.10-11)
Suffering is transformed into overflowing comfort in Christ.
“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” (v.5)
paraklesis
Comfort, Encouragement – 10 times in 1:3-7
“Jesus was patient under even greater suffering for us, so we can be patient under lesser suffering for him. And heaven will make amends for everything.” (Tim Keller)
“God is both a sovereign and a suffering God.”
“Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” (v.7)
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3b-4)
Closing: Hope is the end of suffering for those who are in Christ.
