3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.  2 Corinthians 1:3-12

A. The Very Nature of God (vv. 3-4a)

1. In Uniqueness

2. In Relationship

3. In Action

B. The Intent of God (vv.4)

1. Comfort Defined

2. Comfort and Competency

C. Sharing with Christ (v.5)

1. In Suffering

2. In Comfort

D. The Conditions and Implications (v.6)

1. Of Afflictions

2. Of Comfort

3. The Community

E. Comfort and Confidence (vv.7-10)

1. Of God’s People

2. From the Pit of Despair

3. To a Higher Calling

4. Past Performance and Future Hope

F. The Application (vv.11-12)

1. Intercessory Prayer

2. Our Testimony