INTRODUCTION

1. New series of Pulpit Messages

2. Main text:              2 Corinthians 1-2

3. Subject: Tribulation

4. Relevance

In the context of Covid-19

 

THE WORD “TRIBULATION”

1. Synonyms

a) Trouble

b) Distress

c) Woe

d) Sorrow

e) Persecution

f) Suffering

g) Affliction

h) Anguish

2. Antonyms

a) Joy

b) Gladness

c) Happiness

 

WARNING OF POSSIBLE TRIBULATION

(By the Lord Jesus Christ)

1. 8^th Beatitude Matthew 5:10-12

a) Blessing promised

b) Context of persecution

i) Being reviled

ii) Being persecuted

iii) All kinds of evil

2. The Narrow Gate           Matthew 7:13-14

a) Narrow is the gate

b) Difficult is the way          Matthew 7:14

The word “difficult” is the word “tribulation” in           2 Corinthians 1:4

 

THE TRIBULATION OF COVID-19

1. Economy affected

2. Loss of Jobs

3. Pay Cuts

4. Lock Down

5. Sickness

6. Loss of lives

(Huge loss- world-wide)

 

A STRONG BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

1. A Positive Perspective adopted

a) Grace and peace          2 Corinthians 1:2

i) From God the Father

ii) From the Lord Jesus Christ

b) Blessing of God’s name         2 Corinthians 1:3

i) As the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

ii) As the Father of mercies

iii) As the God of all comfort

2. The reality of God amidst our tribulation

a) He comforts us in all our tribulation          2 Corinthians 1:4a

b) That we may be able to comfort others          2 Corinthians 1:4b

c) With the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God            2 Corinthians 1:4c

 

THE WORD “COMFORT”

1. It is the same word the Lord Jesus used when He described the Holy Spirit             John 14:16

a) Helper

b) Comforter

2. The Practical relevance

a) God comes alongside

b) He offers help

c) We draw comfort

 

APPLYING THE WORD OF GOD

1. Faith to believe

2. Eyes to see

3. Heart to feel the comfort of God

4. Comforting others

a) Sharing our faith

b) Sharing our experience

c) Sharing about how God has helped us