Pastor James will post his Sermon Study Questions every Tuesday with the previous Sunday’s sermon. Our hope is for these study questions to promote deeper personal study and further edify our church body.
Sermon Study Questions – September 1, 2024
1. Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
2. Why was the city of Corinth such an important place for Paul to visit in his missionary journeys?
3. Describe the context in which Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. Also, describe the events that took place between the writing of First and Second Corinthians.
4. Paul opens this letter by praising God as “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” Why was Paul so overwhelmed by the comfort of God?
5. We can’t know all the reasons why God allows His people to suffer, but here we do find one reason. What is it?
6. How does suffering equip us to comfort others?
7. Are you still qualified to minister to others even if you haven’t suffered in the way another has? What can you do to bring comfort to those who are hurting?
8. How has Christ sympathized with you? How does He continue to sympathize with you and comfort you in all your affliction?
9. What practical application can you make from this text/sermon?
10. Pray!
Reading of Law: 1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
Prayer of Confession:
Our Father in heaven, you are the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. As your people we too are called to be merciful ambassadors of comfort to those who are hurting. You call us to be sympathetic and tender-hearted towards others as you have been sympathetic and tender-hearted towards us, yet we confess our hearts are often hard. We do not rush to the aid of those who are hurting, but too often we close our hearts to them and keep our distance from them. We confess we lack humility in these situations, as humility leads to gratefully serving others in need. Please forgive us Father. And please help us to give to others the mercy you have given to us, and to comfort them with the comfort you have given to us in Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
WLC: 143
Q. 143. Which the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
OT Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” 10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.