A Sermon Summary on 2 Cor 1:1-11
By Pastor Dave Hentschel
As we study 2 Corinthians, we recognize suffering is an unavoidable part of life. No matter how much we try to avoid it—through careful planning, education, financial security, or even technology—trials will come. The Bible doesn’t promise a life free from pain, but it does offer us something far greater: resilience.
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians opens with a profound truth: suffering is a part of the Christian life, but so is the comfort of God. And not only do we receive comfort, but we are also called to pass it on to others. Let’s explore three key truths from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 that teach us how to build resilience in the face of suffering.
- Christ Suffered, So We Will Suffer
In 2 Corinthians 1:5, Paul reminds us, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” The Bible never sugarcoats the reality of suffering. Jesus Himself suffered deeply—born in poverty, rejected, beaten, and crucified. His entire earthly life was marked by hardship. If the perfect Son of God endured suffering, we should expect to experience it as well.
Yet many of us have absorbed an unspoken philosophy: avoid suffering at all costs. In our culture, success is often measured by how much hardship we can prevent—whether through career choices, health plans, or financial security. But when suffering inevitably comes, we’re often left unprepared, wondering why things have gone wrong.
Paul is clear: suffering is not a sign of failure or a lack of faith. It is part of our journey with Christ. And in this suffering, something remarkable happens—we are drawn closer to Him, shaped into His likeness, and given a testimony that can encourage others.
- Christ Was Comforted, So We Will Be Comforted
Paul calls God “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). This means that God sees our pain, He walks with us in it, and He offers real comfort.
But comfort doesn’t always mean an immediate escape from hardship. Sometimes, God delivers us from suffering. Other times, He sustains us through it. Jesus Himself received comfort during His ministry—through angels in the wilderness, through moments of solitude in prayer, and even through the words of the repentant thief on the cross.
As Christians, we have access to this same divine comfort. And this comfort is not just for our benefit—it is meant to be shared. Paul writes that we are comforted “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Cor. 1:4). God’s comfort is not meant to stop with us; it is meant to flow through us to others.
- Christ Comforted Others, So We Must Comfort Others
When we go through suffering, God is shaping us into people who can bring comfort and hope to others. Think about the people who have made the biggest impact in your life. Chances are, they’ve endured trials and come out stronger on the other side. Their suffering gave them a depth of understanding that allows them to minister to others in a unique way.
Consider the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob. Their struggles with alcoholism allowed them to help countless others find freedom. In the same way, the trials we endure can become the very thing God uses to help someone else.
At our church, we’re launching a ministry called GriefShare—a support group for those who have lost loved ones. Why? Because people who have experienced loss are often the best ones to walk alongside those who are grieving. If you’ve gone through suffering, you have a ministry waiting for you—you can be the hands and feet of Christ to someone in need.
Building Resilience: A Practical Guide
So how do we cultivate resilience when suffering comes? Here are six biblical principles to help us stand firm:
- You Rest in God – Take time to be still before the Lord. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Let His presence renew you.
- You Trust His Sovereignty – God does not allow anything in your life without a purpose. Romans 8:28 reminds us that He works all things for good.
- You Ask for Wisdom – James 1:5 promises that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask.
- You Read Scripture – The Bible takes on a new depth when we’re in pain. Turn to the Psalms and see how David poured out his heart to God.
- You Confess and Reflect – Psalm 139:23-24 invites us to ask God to search our hearts and reveal anything that needs to change.
- You Obey – Keep doing what you know is right, even when it’s hard.
- You Wait – Isaiah 40:31 promises that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”
A Final Illustration: Standing Strong Under Pressure
Let me leave you with a visual reminder. Imagine two soda cans. One is full and sealed, the other is empty. If I apply pressure to the empty can, it crushes instantly. But if I apply pressure to the full, sealed can, it holds firm.
The difference? One is filled and sealed.
The same is true in our lives. If we try to endure suffering in our own strength, we’ll collapse under pressure. But if we are filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit, we will stand firm. The pressures of life won’t destroy us—they will refine us.
As we begin this journey through 2 Corinthians, here’s my challenge: don’t just listen—lean in. Ask God to shape you into someone who not only endures suffering but grows through it. Someone who doesn’t just receive comfort but gives it. Someone who doesn’t just survive but stands firm in Christ.
Because in the hands of God, your suffering is never wasted. It is the very thing that will make you resilient.
