Real, True, Deep Down Comfort (Heidelberg Catechism QA 1-2; Isa 40:1, 51:12; Rom 8:28-35a; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Pet 1:18-19)

Confession: Heidelberg Catechism QA 1-2

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1, 51:12; Romans 8:28-35a; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Preacher: Rev. David Inks

Sermon Outline
Introduction,
I. Comfort
II. Christ
III. Control
IV. Confidence
V. Commitment
Conclusion

Heidelberg Catechism
Q & A 1
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong — body and soul, in life and in death — to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Q & A 2
Q. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
A. Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.

Isaiah 40:1 (ESV)
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Isaiah 51:12 (ESV)
12 “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,

Romans 8:28-35a (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Web Site – http://www.fresnourc.com
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/fresnourc
YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/fresnocurc
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/covenant-urcs/id373736493?mt=2