09.15.2021 | BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN
Beatitudes are the Be Attitudes of the Kingdom of God.
Steps for entering into life in the Kingdom of God:
Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Blessed – Root word is large or long duration, supremely blessed, happy, an element of congratulations
Blessed – A Grace word – Grace is unmerited favor
Blessed – Walking in divine favor
Ephesians 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
Three ways to look at Matthew 5:4:
1. Blessed are those who allow themselves to grieve the losses of life.
When we face loss, we need to allow ourselves to grieve that loss.
What are some of the examples in the Bible of people who grieved loss?
2 Samuel 18:33 – “Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: ‘O my son Absalom – my son Absalom – if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son.’”
John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
What are some of the emotions we face in loss?
We may experience shock, denial, anger, and depression.
The Holy Spirit wants to bring us through these emotions and into a place of peace and acceptance and hope.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, and Counselor.
John 14:16 – “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”
2. Blessed are those who weep over their own sinfulness.
2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world brings death.”
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin which leads us to repentance.
John 16:8 – “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
What are some Biblical pictures of people mourning over their own sin?
Jonah 3:5 – “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.”
Jonah 3:6 – “Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.”
Sackcloth and ashes were symbols of mourning and repentance.
When we repent of sin, the Holy Spirit wants to comfort us with the assurance of forgiveness in Jesus’ Name.
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The enemy wants to keep us living in regret and shame. The Holy Spirit wants to set us free!
3. Blessed are those who weep over the fallen state of cities, nations, and other people.
Who are some Biblical examples of those who wept and prayed over the lost and broken?
Jeremiah 9:1 – “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people.”
Luke 19:41-42 – “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’”
Do we love the lost enough to weep over them?
Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Dick Eastman calls this, “the ministry of tears”.
Charles Spurgeon calls this, “liquid prayer”.
The ministry of intercession that flows through the ministry of tears brings in a great harvest, and great joy and comfort through the Holy Spirit.