The Beatitudes: Those Who Mourn

Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV) 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. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed — “supremely blessed, fortunate, and happy.” 

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

1.  Mourn over loss

Mourn — “an inner sorrow that is outwardly demonstrated.” 

Comfort [Parakletos] — “coming alongside to help, to comfort, to give consolation and encouragement.” 

Psalm 34:18 (NLT) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 56:8 (NLT) You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.  You have recorded each one in Your book.  

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Romans 12:15 (AMP) Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

A.  Our mourning never goes unnoticed.

B.  God can handle our pain and our questions. 

C.  There’s a piece of God’s character that can only be experienced through mourning.

D.  Our mourning creates compassion and empathy for others. 

Have we properly mourned the losses in our lives?

Matthew 5:4 (AMP) Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].

2.  Mourn over sin

James 4:7-9 (NLT) So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart], and God will come close to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done.  Let there be sorrow and deep grief [mourn and weep over your sin].  Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 (NLT) For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response.  I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence.  And I will be grieved [mourn] because many of you have not given up your old sins.  You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

Mourn — “an inner sorrow that is outwardly demonstrated.” 

A.  Show us mercy through forgiveness.

B.  Lift the conviction of sin from us and give us peace.

C.  Help us overcome the sin.

Psalm 32:3-5 (NLT) When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”  And You forgave me!  All my guilt is gone. 

Do we still mourn over our sins?