Mourning and Comfort: Embracing Sin and Redemption
Summary
### Summary
In Matthew 5:4, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." This Beatitude, like the others, describes the attributes of those who belong to the Kingdom of God. Mourning here is not just about grieving the loss of a loved one but also about lamenting over our sins and the sins of the world. Mourning our sins means recognizing the depth of our rebellion against God and feeling genuine sorrow for it. This mourning is not a call to live in perpetual sadness but to understand the gravity of sin and the grace that Jesus offers through His sacrifice.
Mourning should lead us to repentance, a turning away from sin and turning towards God. It should also compel us to speak against evil and bring it to light. We must change our actions, living transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mourning is not the same as complaining; it is a deep recognition of sin and a desire to find a solution through Christ.
We are called to mourn personal sins, the sins of the church, and the sins of the world. This includes mourning over issues like abortion, abuse, and slavery. These are not just societal problems but spiritual ones that grieve the heart of God. As believers, we should be broken over these sins and seek to address them through action and prayer.
Comfort comes from God, and it is a future promise. While we may experience some comfort now through the peace that Jesus brings, ultimate comfort will come when God makes all things right. This assurance should bring us joy even as we mourn, knowing that God is in control and will bring justice and redemption.
### Key Takeaways
1. Mourning Our Sin: Mourning our sin means recognizing the depth of our rebellion against God. It is not a light matter but a serious acknowledgment of how our actions grieve God. This mourning should lead us to genuine repentance, turning away from sin and turning towards God. [03:37]
2. Difference Between Mourning and Complaining: Mourning is a deep recognition of sin and a desire to find a solution through Christ, whereas complaining is merely expressing dissatisfaction without seeking change. Mourning leads to action and transformation, while complaining leads to stagnation and bitterness. [09:06]
3. Mourning Corporate and Worldly Sin: We are called to mourn not just our personal sins but also the sins of the church and the world. This includes issues like abortion, abuse, and slavery. These sins grieve the heart of God, and as believers, we should be broken over them and seek to address them through action and prayer. [15:05]
4. How to Mourn: Mourning should lead us to repentance, speaking against evil, and changing our actions. It involves recognizing sin, turning to God, and living transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not about feeling guilty but about genuine change and transformation. [30:58]
5. Comfort in Mourning: Comfort comes from God and is a future promise. While we may experience some comfort now through the peace that Jesus brings, ultimate comfort will come when God makes all things right. This assurance should bring us joy even as we mourn, knowing that God is in control and will bring justice and redemption. [37:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Kingdom Attributes
[01:49] - Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
[02:42] - The Weight of Mourning
[03:37] - Mourning Our Sin
[04:25] - Understanding 'Blessed' and 'Mourn'
[06:07] - Active Mourning
[07:14] - Joy in Mourning
[09:06] - Mourning vs. Complaining
[11:01] - What Do We Mourn?
[15:05] - Mourning Corporate Sin
[20:46] - Mourning Worldly Sin
[30:58] - How Do We Mourn?
[37:17] - Comfort in Mourning
[43:18] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 5:4 (ESV): "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
- James 4:8-9 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom."
- 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 5:4, what is the promise given to those who mourn?
2. In James 4:8-9, what actions are associated with mourning and repentance?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 7:10 differentiate between godly grief and worldly grief?
4. What are some specific sins mentioned in the sermon that we are called to mourn over? ([11:01])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to mourn over our sins, and how is this different from merely feeling guilty? ([03:37])
2. How can mourning our sins lead to genuine repentance and transformation in our lives? ([30:58])
3. Why is it important to mourn not only our personal sins but also the sins of the church and the world? ([15:05])
4. How does the promise of future comfort from God provide hope and joy even as we mourn? ([37:17])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you mourned over a personal sin. How did that experience lead you to repentance and change? ([03:37])
2. How can you differentiate between mourning and complaining in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure your mourning leads to action and transformation? ([09:06])
3. Identify a specific sin within the church or the world that grieves your heart. How can you actively address this issue through prayer and action? ([15:05])
4. What practical steps can you take to bring your own sins to light and seek God's forgiveness and transformation? ([30:58])
5. How can the assurance of God's future comfort help you maintain joy and hope even as you mourn over sin? ([37:17])
6. Think of a societal issue like abortion, abuse, or slavery that was mentioned in the sermon. How can you get involved in addressing this issue in a meaningful way? ([20:46])
7. How can you support others in your small group or community who are mourning over their sins or the sins of the world? What specific actions can you take to offer comfort and encouragement? ([39:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Depth of Our Sin
Mourning our sin means recognizing the depth of our rebellion against God. It is not a light matter but a serious acknowledgment of how our actions grieve God. This mourning should lead us to genuine repentance, turning away from sin and turning towards God. When we truly understand the gravity of our sins, we begin to see the immense grace that Jesus offers through His sacrifice. This is not about living in perpetual sadness but about understanding the seriousness of sin and the transformative power of repentance. [03:37]
Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
Reflection: Think of a specific sin in your life that you have not fully acknowledged. How can you bring this sin before God today and seek His forgiveness and transformation?
Day 2: Mourning vs. Complaining
Mourning is a deep recognition of sin and a desire to find a solution through Christ, whereas complaining is merely expressing dissatisfaction without seeking change. Mourning leads to action and transformation, while complaining leads to stagnation and bitterness. When we mourn, we are moved to repent and change our ways, seeking God's help to overcome our sins. Complaining, on the other hand, keeps us stuck in a cycle of negativity without any real desire for change. [09:06]
James 4:9-10 (ESV): "Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you found yourself complaining. How can you turn that complaint into a moment of mourning and seek God's guidance for change?
Day 3: Mourning Corporate and Worldly Sin
We are called to mourn not just our personal sins but also the sins of the church and the world. This includes issues like abortion, abuse, and slavery. These sins grieve the heart of God, and as believers, we should be broken over them and seek to address them through action and prayer. Mourning these sins means recognizing their impact on society and the spiritual realm and being moved to act in ways that bring about justice and healing. [15:05]
Ezekiel 9:4 (ESV): "And the Lord said to him, 'Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.'"
Reflection: Identify a specific societal issue that grieves your heart. How can you take a step today to address this issue through prayer, advocacy, or action?
Day 4: How to Mourn
Mourning should lead us to repentance, speaking against evil, and changing our actions. It involves recognizing sin, turning to God, and living transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is not about feeling guilty but about genuine change and transformation. When we mourn, we are called to take concrete steps to align our lives with God's will, seeking His strength to overcome sin and live righteously. [30:58]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to turn away from a sin in your life and turn towards God? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's help in this transformation?
Day 5: Comfort in Mourning
Comfort comes from God and is a future promise. While we may experience some comfort now through the peace that Jesus brings, ultimate comfort will come when God makes all things right. This assurance should bring us joy even as we mourn, knowing that God is in control and will bring justice and redemption. Our mourning is not in vain; it is a part of the journey towards the ultimate restoration that God has promised. [37:17]
Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's comfort today? How can you hold onto the promise of future comfort and redemption as you navigate through your current struggles?
Quotes
1. "Instead of killing our sin, we are feeding it. Instead of loathing our sin, we are loving it. Instead of destroying our sin, we are desiring it. The result? We belittle the cross and deceive ourselves. Our need becomes less, and the enormity of Jesus' sacrifice fades. The quickest way to lose the wonder of the gospel is to lose sight of the depth of our sin." [02:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Too often in the Christian life, we celebrate, we downplay, or we ignore our sin. We are called to mourn it, not ignore it. We are called to mourn our sin, not celebrate it. We are called to mourn our sin, not celebrate it. We are called to mourn, not hide it. And so, our question this morning is pretty simple. What are we doing with our sin?" [03:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Sometimes there's a paradox that we have to live out in the Christian life. We're to live a life of joy, but we're also to live a life of mourning. And in our mourning, recognize that we're to be happy in the fact that we mourn. Because what he's calling us to mourn today is sin. Rebellion against God, turning away from him." [07:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We mourn our sin and our rebellion against him, but we have joy in the fact that Christ did what we could not do in dying for us and redeeming us to himself. And so we live a paradox. Now, we need to remember, there is a difference between a mourner and a complainer. Big difference between the two. Mourning recognizes sin, it recognizes pride, it recognizes problems, and seeks to find a solution." [08:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We mourn the sin of pride. We mourn the sin of anger, of lust, of control, of self-pity, of bitterness. Are we truly broken over our sin? Do we realize that our sin is rebellion against God? I told you, this is not going to be some peppy sermon this morning. Are we broken over our sin?" [11:57] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Do we realize that in 1 Samuel, God says that rebellion is as the sin of divination, seeking spirits to give you answers about the future to tell you what you're supposed to do. He says, rebellion against Him, turning away from God and doing your own thing. He says, it's just like you're looking for spirits to give you answers about the future, divining the future. He says, that's what rebellion is." [12:38] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We should be appalled, disgusted, shocked, and grieved in the depths of our hearts over our sin. All our sin is treason against God, not just the prideful, lying, stealing, and lusting sins, but sins of the tongue, sins of anxiousness, sins of bitterness, sins of partiality, sins of complacency, sins of jealousy, sins of impatience, sins of arrogance. We should grieve over them all." [14:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We mourn the sin of abuse, both physical, mental, sexual, psychological. Statistically, one in four women and one in seven men have been physically abused by a partner. Statistically, one in five women and one in 59 men have been raped. On a typical day, there are over 20,000 abuse hotlines nationwide." [24:50] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We mourn the sin of slavery. It is estimated that worldwide, there are 40 million people in slavery right now. Forty million. That's almost a seventh of America's population. Slavery is used for the making of clothes. Unbeknownst to many of us in this room right now, you're wearing clothes that were made overseas by slaves. It's reality." [27:04] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We mourn our sin by repentance, by bringing it to light by changing. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. That phrase, shall be comforted, is a future passive word. It does not mean it will happen now. Comforting will come. And the comforting comes from God, not from us and not from our actions. That's why it's passive." [36:41] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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