The Mighty Mourners

Mighty Mourners

Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Intro:

• Jesus doesn’t say blessed are those who HAVE certain things, but blessed are those who ARE certain things—“Blessed are they that mourn.” The word, “mourn,” is the deepest word for sorrow. It’s a strong word, a word for lament. Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Jesus is talking about those who mourn over sin—theirs and the sin of humanity.

I. The Guilt:

a. Guilt causes us to mourn. What is it that convicts us? There’s sin’s deceptiveness (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28). Sin also corrupts (Matthew 5:29). Then, sin destroys (Matthew 5:30). But when the Holy Spirit touches your heart, and you realize it was your sin that nailed Jesus Christ to the cross, when you see that sin is an affront to a righteous and a holy God; when you see that sin deceives, it corrupts, it destroys; then you’ll understand why Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn.”

II. The Grief:

a. This is the missing piece in the modern church. Many people in our churches have never been broken over their sin (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow is not regret or remorse. Regret and remorse look at the consequences of sin and feels condemned. Repentance looks beyond the sin to Calvary and feels convicted. Someone with regret/remorse still loves their sin but hates themselves. A repentant person hates their sin because they love their Savior. That’s the difference. That was Judas!

III. The Grace:

a. “They shall be comforted.” Once you see the guilt, and feel the grief, then you know the grace. What does it mean to be comforted? It does not mean sympathy, but strength: com-, meaning “with,” and -fort means “strength”—“with strength.” (Psalms 18:2; 138:3; John 14:16-17). Have you ever known that comfort? The Holy Spirit is the One to those with a broken heart, those who confess their sin, He comes with strength to save. You’re forgiven. You’re clean. You’re pure. You’re righteous.

b. And if you mess it up, the Bible says in 1 John 2:1, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” We have “An advocate.” That’s the exact same word Jesus used in John 14 when He said, “I’ll send you another Comforter.” The words comforter and advocate are the same. That’s the strength God gives!

c. Blessed are they that mourn; for they SHALL be comforted!” It all begins when you see yourself as poor in spirit and say, “O God, it is not just what I have done; it is what I am; not just what sin has done to me, but what it has done to You; and with a broken heart, ‘I repent,’” Jesus says, “I cleanse,” the Father says, “I forgive,” and the Comforter, says, “I strengthen.” MIGHTY is the GOD of those who MOURN!