I.         Greetings and Blessings

            A.        Paul, an apostle, one who is sent out

            B.        Timothy, who joined Paul on his                                second missionary journey

            C.        To the church, "the called out ones"

            D.        Saints, “the holy ones”

            E.        Grace and Peace

    F.         "From God our Father and the Lord             Jesus Christ."

 

II.        The Divine Purposes of Sufferings

            A. God allows suffering in our lives

            B. God comforts us through our suffering

    C. God makes us able to comfort others in the same way

            D. Suffering is real, but God uses it for the benefit and hope of us and others

            E. Paul experienced it himself, to the point of death itself

            F. Prayers of fellow believers sustain us through our suffering