The Shepherd's Chapel 501-787-6026 Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE. We are yoing to lear the meaning of the Greek word "paramuthia in this lecture. In my opinion this word has nvo basic meanings, "Paramuthia” may mean to encourage, or stimulate one 10 take action, This word may also mean t comfort, oF console Many Christian denominations spend a great deal of time in. judgement of other Christian denominations, Some times they become so wrapped up in judgement of others. they forget the number one incentive that allows Christians to show the world that life is fir better in the Body of Christ than outside of the Body. Motivate ethers to Christianity through the teachings of Christ, couicerning comfort, Christ taught us that we must walk closely with others to be able to comtort them. Fist, Fet's Took at an example of how not to comlort someone: Job means persecuted my the Hebrew lancuawe. He twas an example of how the elect would be persecuted in the end times. if they allow themselves 1 be per secuted by Satan, I want you to think of this example as how not to comfort a family member thar is. perse cuted. Job had recently learned all of bis children had een killed when the following happened JOB_2:7.8 So went Satan forth trom the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his feot unto his crown. > And ne took him a potsherd to scrape himself witha among the ashes. ‘and-he sat down Job was covered from head 10 toe with boils. He tried to use a broken piece of pottery to seratch with and Ive ffom the ashes fo ease the itching. The ashes are also symbolic of mourning. Job's wife then offered her opinion, | 108 29 Then said hs wife unto him, “Dost thow sti Feta thine integnty? curse Goc, and die” | Yes, Job's wite had a Jot to be angry about; how- | ever, this 1s absolutely not the way to comfort someone, We receive hundreds of letters each week from those that have done something, and they are fearful God will not forgive them. We as Christians, have a powerful means OF comforting. such people JOHN 3.18 For God so loveo the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever delleveth in Him snould not persh, but have everlasting fe If you believe im Christ, repent your sins and ask for forgiveness, you lave a clean slate, No one is ‘without sin. You will fall short again after having asked forgiveness. This is what is so powerful about the comfort | God's Tove offers His children, When you fall short, repent and ask forgiveness. Christ taught us to comfort dncentive Newsletter #198 - April 1995 those taken im sin. Many that profess to bbe Christians today do the opposite. For example, liow mary churches today make |) divorcees second-class Christians. They might say, "You that are divorced move to the back of the room’ and don't even think about trying to become an elder of this church." Let's take our example from Christ. JOHN 83.4 And the soribes and Pharisees brought into Him a woman takcn i adultery: and-when they had set her in the midst," They say unto Hi, “Master. this woman was'taken in adultery. in the very act The scribes and Pharisees were the churcl leaders in tins time. ‘They caught this woman in the very act and sat her down right in the center of attention. 1 can not heip but wonder where the man they must have also caught im the very act was at this point. Don't torm opinions based on how some churches woukd handle this situation, Listen 1 how Christ handies this situation VOHN_8S Now Moses in ihe jaw commanded us, that Such Should be stoned’ but what sayest Thou” The "scripture lawyers” were drawin on Deuteronomy 22, Make a side study, sf you wish, of Numbers 5 which nore closely fits the circumstances; however. 1 want you to focus on the fact that the church leaders had already decided she was guilty and should be stoned to death JOHN 86-7 This they said, tempting Him. that they hhave to accuse Hin, But Jesus stooped down, and With His finger wrote on the ground as though He heard them not So when they continued asking Him, He ifted up Himself, and said unto them, “He that is without sin ‘among you, let him first cast 4 stone at her Again, 1 can not help but wonder what Christ had written in the sand as He ignored His tempters. Maybe He did write, "where is the man you also caught in the act.” Or, maybe He was writing a note t0 one of the Pharisee’s. Let's call him Ralph. "Ralph vou were with this woman last week", perhaps Christ. wrote. JOHN 89-9 And again He stooped down, and wrote ‘on the ground" And. tney which heard it, being con: Victed by ther own conscience, went out one by one, beginning atthe eldest’ oven unto the last and” Jesus was ‘eft alone, and the woman standing in the midst Sometimes the truth hurts. 1 think Ralph and the hers uot s yood dose of their own medicine and decided to leave well enough alone JOHN 6:40-11 When Jesus had ited up Himself, and Saw none but the woman He said unto her. "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man. con: Gemmed thee?” She said, "No man, Lord” And Jesus Said unto her, "Neither do’! condemn’ thee: go, and sin‘The woman repented and was forgiven, We should use Christ's example as ar incentive to those taken in | sin, Don't condemn then, as the scribes and. Pharisees would do. Tell them there is a God. that loves His children so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die om the cross for the sins of the world Tell them, to repent and ask forgiveness. Give them incentive 10 follow Christ and be a comfort to others in need. This. | my: friends, isthe most powerful force to draw non: | believers 10 Christianity | There is another occasion when Christians have the |) opportunity: 10 comfort others. The loss of a loved one | causes deep sorrow and grief” Especially, if those wriev | nw believe the Tost one is ina hole in the ground Students ot God's Word know tha to be absent trom this | boy 1s to be: present with the Lord, The instant. we leave the flesh Body. the spirit retuens to the Lord (Eccl 126-7), Christ ta frow 10 comfort the family and ftionis of those which have passed away. Lazarus. was dead. Lets take a look at haw Christ comforted. Mary and Martha JOHN. 11:21:22 @ Then said Martha unto Jesus ‘Lord if Thou fadst been here. my brother had not died But ' know tha! even mow whatsoever Thou wit ask of God God wil give Wt Thee Martha obviously had a great deal of faith; however she did not-undersiand death, JOHN 1123-24 Shall re agare he shal’ sa again sus saith uno her.” Thy brother fartna sath unto Him, °F know that in the resurrection at the last day Many would say, “There you have it. Right there in the Bible it says the dead are in the ground and will rise in the resurrection at the Inst day.” Don't listen t0 ‘what men and women said. Listen to what Christ sai, 2 Jesus said unto her, “I am the res- ‘and the ire ne that Delevein in Me. though he were’ dead, yet shal he ive ® And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? Armed with the comfort of God's Word, you are able to make a real difference at a time when your family an! friends need help the most, You have the ability 10 comfort them and provide the mceative for them to want ‘slat you already have, peace of mind through Chnstian ity, Those you comfort will still grieve their oss, but their griet will be eased through the knowledge that their Toved one ty with the Father, not ina dole in. the ground, What did Paul teach on the subject of comfort? INTHIANS 11.3 PAUL ‘of God and Tims ch of God which Is al Corr all Achaia * Grace be to you and peace in Gog our Father. ana ‘vom the Lord Jesus Christ Biesseo be Goo even the Father of our Lord Jesus the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort an apostle of Jesus hy Our brother. unto wih afl the saints Where does ill comfort onginate? THIANS 34 Who comfortetn us in all our | fbu'aion. thal we’ fay be able fo comfort them which are inary trouble by the comfort wherewith we our- Selves are comforted of God Now, let's see if we have this straight, God comforts us in our troubles so we may comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort we were comforted of Gos in the first place, Boy, this comfort sounds contagoius, Believe me: it is! Once you have been down a road of trouble and God's love pulls you through, you will be anxious to help those going down that same troubled \NS_1'5 For as the sufferings of Christ gpouna mus, Se ur consolation iso aboundeth by ist Do you ever stop and reflect on the suffering Christ endured tor you? You should. CORINTHIANS 16-7 And whether we be 2fficted, Cis for your consolation and salvation, which is. effec: tual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we alse suffer or whether we be comforted, i 1s for your Consolation and. salvation. ? And our hope of you is, Stedfast, Knowing, that as ye are partakers of the suf- fenngs, so shall ye be also of the consolation God dovsn't want a bunch of "Hot house lilies" that wilt at the first sign of trouble. You will suffer for His, namesake, if you serve God, You wiil also be comforted. He will never give you more than you are able 10 handle You are in a unique position to help and comfort others, People are starved tor God's Word and basically ignorant of the Bible. Understanding the scriptures. we have discussed today puts you in an excellent position tw witness to others, Not only will you be able to comfort others in times of trouble, you will give them the incentive to change their lives tor the better In His Service, “> Amold Murray *sIMPORTANT MESSAGE** Please be sure to write he channel number of the felevison station you watch Shepherd's Chapel (SCN) on all correspondence to us. Be sure to write the station channel number. not your local cable companies assigned position number. This will ensure your ‘donationvorder is credited to the correct television sation and lelp keep (SCN) on your local television, atellite dish owners should indicate they receive (SCN) bby Satellite on all correspondence t0 us, Thank you