“BE OF GOOD COMFORT”
INTRODUCTION
A. Five days a week, millions of listeners tune their radios to “The Dave Ramsey Show.” Dave gives financial advice to listeners who call in with a particular financial issue. When a listener asks him how he is doing, he answers, “Better than I deserve.” We come to know some people by expressions they frequently use.
a. illustration of Steve Erkel – “Did I do that?”
b. illustration of Joe Brooks’ statement – “Every day above ground is a good day.”
B. If you were asked to select an expression by which we can identify Jesus, what would it be? One such expression would have to be “Be of good cheer.”
C. In this lesson I will focus our attention upon both the expression & what we can learn from it.
I. WE CAN HAVE COMFORT IN THIS LIFE
A. I was criticized once by a dear sister whose criticism was that I made brethren feel comfortable. I didn’t tell her, but her criticism was actually an encouraging compliment. Those who put their faith in Jesus can “be of good cheer.”
a. expression occurs 7 times in the gospels (Jesus spoke it 6 times)
b. meaning – “to have courage/comfort”
c. misunderstanding the gospel, some want to beat up on people
B. On the basis of being perfectly right in understanding & life we know we would be lost. But God comforts us by telling us that our standing with Him does not depend on our perfection. We find peace in the midst of imperfections (Rom.5:1). Faith is far more than believing the facts of the Gospel. We could never have peace through that kind of faith. Our faith is our complete reliance upon Christ, without stopping to hold up a single trait or deed of ourselves. What comfort!!!
II. JESUS GIVES COMFORT
A. Jesus offered comfort to the following:
a. those laden with sins (Mt.9:1-8; Mr.2:1-12; Lu.5:17-26)
b. those who are afraid (Mt.9:20-22; Lu.8:43-48)
c. those facing uncertainties (Mt.14:22-27; Mr.6:45-50; Joh.6:16-21)
d. those with physical limitations (Mt.20:29:34; Mr.10:46-52; Lu.18:35-43)
e. those in the world, but not of the world (Joh.16:33)
C. Jesus can cheer you up. He is God’s comfort to humanity (Lu.2:25; Ac.3:19; 9:31; Phil.2:1; Heb.6:18).
CONCLUSION
Jesus says to all of us, “Be of good cheer.”