What does Jesus think about mourning?

Matthew 5:4 “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

If you didn’t know Jesus said this, what would be your reaction that this statement?

There are two mistaken views about the Christian life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 “There is a time for everything...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

What person in their right mind enjoys mourning?

Psalm 55:6-8 “I said, ‘If only I had wings like a dove-- I would fly away and find rest. Indeed, I would run far away. I would

stay in the desert. I would hurry to find shelter from the raging wind and storm.’”

Since we know that Jesus speaks only the truth, how are we to understand this?

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For sorrow according to the will of God produces repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Jesus is not referring to all sorrow, but is referring to a certain type of sorrow in this verse-a sorrow over sin.

Last week we talked about the spiritual foundation of our faith is when we understand that we are spiritually bankrupt.

We can’t but Jesus can.

Our second step is when we grieve over our sins.

Psalm 32:3-4 “When I kept silent about my sins, my bones began to weaken because of my groaning all day long. Day

and night your hand lay heavily on me. My strength shriveled in the summer heat.”

Definition of repentance

Repentance is to turn away from sin and turn to God.

It is a change of mind that results in a change of life.

Psalm 119:59-60 “I have thought about my life, and I have directed my feet back to your written instructions. Without any

hesitation I hurry to obey your commandments.”

Repentance must be combined with faith to produce salvation.

How does this consuming mourning bring joy?

Psalm 32:1-2; 5 “Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. Blessed is the

person whom the LORD no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts. I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt.

I decided to confess them to you, O LORD. Then you forgave all my sins.”

Many times we think of words like repentance as things that are dreadful, but in reality repentance is one of the best words ever!

Repentance leads to: Forgiveness leads to: Overwhelming joy

How do your sins affect you?

So when it comes to your sin you have a choice.

Wrong ways to handle sin in your life:

Some deny their sin.

Some harden their hearts against the conviction of the Spirit.

Some admit their spiritual bankruptcy but then try to change it themselves.

Some admit their sins and don’t see any way out of them.

Others listen to the Bible and admit their sin, grieve over them and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.

After hearing Jesus’ teaching which of these do you think leads to joy?

Become a mourner for sin in your life:

Look to the cross.

Study scriptures about sin in the Bible.

Compare yourself to Jesus not to other people.

Pray for a humble and repentant heart.

REJOICE!