Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

February 9, 2014


Pain and suffering can be seen in almost every aspect of our lives- from birth to death there is no escaping it. We come into this world through the pain of our mothers and we leave through the pain of our bodies with the weeping of our loved ones. We cry as babies from the pain of hunger and loneliness. And we feel intense sorrow when someone else’s will overpowers ours. We all grow up with rejection, loss, and heartache- but for some their childhood is worse than others. As many adults can now attest, the young soul is sadly capable of experiencing unimaginable pain.

On one hand, oddly enough many of our greatest victories in life come from our deepest pains and sufferings. For example, the freedom of countries is fought through wars with parents losing their sons and daughters and horrific sorrow and pain on the battlefield. As a result, many of our greatest accomplishments were birthed through intense suffering and pain. For humanity, pain and sorrow can often times be our greatest motivation.

On the other hand; sickness, disease, tragedy, loss, and despair can come within a moment and leave us feeling its sting until the day we die. The greatest thief among us is sorrow itself because no one can see it coming nor find the peace and joy it has stolen. The person who has met deep sorrow wonders how they ever lived without knowing it because now everything is stained with sorrow’s unending grief. From rich to poor, young and old, and everyone in between- sorrow truly has an appointment with all the race of Adam. And if you haven’t been visited by sorrow in the way described here- just wait patiently for your time is coming- but have no doubt about it, sorrow will come and you will not be ready.

The successful business man today cannot predict his company closing tomorrow, the loving son doesn’t know that the last words he spoke to his Father will be his last, and no one knows how deep their pain will go until they face the loss of the very thing they treasure the most. My mother could have never imagined the pain she would face when she had to bury her daughter because of drinking and driving. The daughter cannot fathom the pain she will feel when she goes to call her Mom but is struck with the reality of her passing. Therefore, many try to cope with pain with denial, anger, and suppression.

However, for others they react to the pain and do things they would have never imagined before knowing intense sorrow. The suicide victim didn’t picture their life ending that way when they were free of their pain, the addict never woke up on a good day and planned their life of addiction, and the abuser never thought they would be the cause of someone else’s demise when they were the victim. The cutter, the anxious, the depressed, the angry, and the lonely all wished for a better day. Whether we can understand someone’s reaction to pain isn’t the real issue- the heart of the matter is, “It is horrifying what people can do because of pain.”

This message is for the broken, those who mourn, and have felt pain- be encouraged you are not alone there is someone who not only understands everything you feel but can can also bring you comfort. His name is Jesus and He is waiting for you.

SERIES TEXT

Matthew 5:1-10, “1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

TERMS

  1. Disciples: Committed learners and students of Jesus Christ.
  2. Sermon on the Mount: The longest portion of Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 5-7 which serve as the foundation of Christian morality and spiritual practice.
  3. Beatitudes: The blissful, happy, and blessed sayings of Jesus.
  4. Blessed: To be spiritually happy and successful because of God’s favor upon one’s life. Also, the term “blessed” has to do with God’s divine approval of one’s life resulting in His favor.
  5. Kingdom of Heaven: The active rule and reign of Jesus in one’s life and upon the earth with kingdom blessings, v. 3 & v. 10. Notice that Jesus teaches the kingdom of heaven is currently given to the disciple, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” not, “for they will have the kingdom of heaven.”

SERMON TEXT

Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

THOSE WHO MOURN

  1. Mourning is sadness expressed in tears, groans, and emotional distress.
  2. Five Things that Make Us Mourn: (1) Emotional Hurts: Rejection, broken relationships, harsh words, broken promises, mistreatment, and betrayal, Psalm 4:1. (2) Physical Hurts: Sickness, injury, and abuse, Exodus 3:7. (3) Compassion: Watching loved ones suffer and losing someone you care about, John 11:33-36. (4) Stress: Worries about money, cares of this life, and inability to change’s one’s circumstances, 2 Corinthians 1:8. (5) Sin: Past failures, mistakes, regrets, and acts against God’s commands, 2 Corinthians 7:10.
  3. What Not to Do When Mourning: (1) Compare your pain to others, (2) Blame God, (3) Become hopeless, (4) Suppress your sadness, or (5) Hide from God and His people.

WILL BE COMFORTED

  1. There is a time to mourn and a time heal, Ecclesiastes 3:4. If mourning never stops it can lead to despair, depression, and hopelessness.
  2. Jesus’ work on the cross accomplished, (1) Identification with your sorrows and (2) Freedom from your sorrows, Isaiah 53:4-5.
  3. Five Ways to Receive Jesus’ Comfort, (1) Worship God: His presence brings joy, Psalm 16:11. (2) Daily Give Your Burdens to Jesus in Prayer (Repent if Sin is Involved): Don’t let worry and sorrow take over your life, Matthew 11:28-30. (3) Speak the Word of God Over Your Life: Remind yourself of God’s love and promises, Psalm 77:11-14. (4) Live a Life of Faith & Trust in Jesus: Believe that all things are working together for your good, Romans 8:28. (5) Follow God’s Plan of Healing & Restoration: Follow the Good Shepherd, Psalm 23.
  4. As long as there is pain in this life, Jesus will be here to heal us. Plus, one day Jesus will totally remove all sorrow and pain from our lives forever. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

ENCOURAGING VERSES

  1. Psalm 34:18-19, “18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
  2. Psalm 73:24-26, “24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
  3. Psalm 147:3-6, “3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
  4. Isaiah 61:1-3, “1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

 

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Posted in Beatitudes Series