December 27 “Comfort” 11 Corinthians 1:3-4
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation; that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Many years ago, my family played host to a missionary that spent most of his time in Africa. This man was amazing! He related a story, on the first sermon that he preached at our church. He told us that he prepared well-crafted, intellectual sermons, and yet, his missionary church remained empty. As his story goes, there was a young boy that was missing and his family was frantic as they searched for him. This missionary put together a search party and after, what seemed like days, they found the boy. His lifeless body had been mauled by a lion. This missionary, overcome with grief, picked the little boy up and took him to the empty church. He placed the boy on the altar and, at that point, broke down in tears. Slowly, the people of the village gathered inside of the sanctuary. The missionary rose to leave and he saw that the sanctuary was full. Why? What has happened? One of the village leaders came up to the missionary and spoke these words that made a lifelong difference for this bewildered and sad missionary, “We have seen your tears. Now we can worship your God!” So often, I have found myself in the position of this missionary. I have been afraid to expose the chink in my armor or a chip in my protective facade that reveals that I, often, fall short of the message of the Gospel! Through experiences like the missionary revealed, and from gentle prodding from my bride and from others that are praying for me, I have learned that sharing the painful parts of my life, and opening my hurts and shortcomings to others, provides humanity to my message and that others will understand that I am just a man, with flaws and struggles and shortcomings, and that I am dependent on God for His mercy and direction. We all hurt! We all fall short of the Glory of God! We all need His Healing! I am truly grateful for God’s Love, Comfort and Saving Grace through Jesus Christ! Please be comforted in the knowledge that God Loved Us Enough To Send Jesus To Take Away Our Sins! Recognize that all of us are human and we have flaws! Claim His Love, Live His Grace and Keep Serving God in the Beauty of HIS Holiness! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…The Best is Yet to Be!