SF448 - Blessed Are Those Who Mourn (Matthew 5 4)
Matthew 5:1-11 Key v. 4
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
Ø Step One = “poor in spirit” - spiritual bankruptcy
Ø Step Two = “mourning” - godly sorrow
Ø This is the emotional counterpart to poverty in spirit.
Guiding principles
Ø All Christians are to be like this.
Ø All Christians are to have all of these characteristics.
Ø These are supernatural in origin.
Ø These show the difference between Christians and non-Christians.
Ø Jesus is more interested in who I am than what I have.
Sermon Background
World’s view
Ø Favorable things = happiness,
Ø Unfavorable = unhappiness
Ø “Change conditions = change character
Jesus’ view
Ø Happy are the sad!
1A. The Reality of Godly Sorrow
“mourn; pentheo” = to grieve, as over a death; the most sever and deepest word for grief in the NT - deep inner agony
1B. It is not simply regret
Being sorry for the fact of sin, which involves the mind
2B. It is not simply remorse
A person who loves his sin but hates the consequences of his sin.
Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:3-5)
3B. It is not simply reformation
Turning over a new leaf.
4B. It is spiritual repentance
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NASB) 10For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Spiritual poverty leads to godly sorrow
Psalm 51:3-4 (NASB) 3For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight…
Godly sorrow focuses on God.
Ø The mark of the mature life is not sinlessness, which is reserved for heaven, but growing awareness of sinfulness. (MacArthur 160.)
Simon Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)
2A. The Roadblocks to Godly Sorrow
1B. The love of sin
“I just can’t give it up.”
Acceptable limits of “crude” in food.
2B. Procrastination
“I have plenty of time...”
Satan’s Strategy
Ø God’s word is not true.
Truth is written on our hearts.
Ø No Hell
Sense of justice
Ø Jesus is not God’s son
Too many have experienced and confessed this truth.
Ø All are true, but you have plenty of time to decide!!!!
That will work!!
3B. Presumption
“I’m ok, you’re ok”
4B. Conceit
“I’m better than...”
5B. Laugh at sin
When we laugh at sin (i.e. divorce, homo, etc.) We are taking poison into our spirits.
3A. The Rewards of Godly Sorrow
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne’er a word said she,
But, oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me. (Robert Browning Hamilton)
1B. Godly sorrow is essential to salvation
Psalm 34:18 (NASB) 18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
2B. Godly sorrow brings strength
“comfort, parakaleo;” to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
Psalm 138:3 (NASB) 3On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
John 14:16 (NASB) 16“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
3B. Godly sorrow brings support
1 John 2:1 (NASB) 1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
Satan is the accuser
The Holy Spirit is our defender!
APPLICATION
We Must Mourn!
How sensitive to sin are you?
Not just what you have done but what you are.
Not just what sin has done to you, but what it has done to God!
We Must Accept God’s Comfort
Being a parent is better than a course on theology. Being a father is teaching me that when I am criticized, injured, or afraid, there is a Father who is ready to comfort me. There is a Father who will
hold me until I’m better,
help me until I can live with the hurt,
and who won’t go to sleep when I’m afraid of waking up and seeing the dark.
Ever.
And that’s enough. (Max Lucado; Applause of Heaven)
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN
Matthew 5:1-12
1A. The ______________________ of Godly Sorrow
1B. It is not simply ___________________________
2B. It is not simply ___________________________
3B. It is not simply reformation
Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:3-5)
4B. It is spiritual _____________________________
2 Corinthians 7:10
Spiritual poverty leads to godly sorrow
Psalm 51:3-4
Godly sorrow focuses on _____________________.
Simon Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)
2A. The ______________________ to Godly Sorrow
1B. The ______________________________ of sin
2B. Procrastination
3B. Presumption
4B. Conceit
5B. _______________________ at sin
3A. The Rewards of Godly Sorrow
1B. Godly sorrow is essential to _________________
Psalm 34:18
2B. Godly sorrow brings _______________________
Psalm 138:3
John 14:16
3B. Godly sorrow brings _______________________
1 John 2:1