Blessed Are They That Mourn

1. Read: Matthew 5:3-10

2. About the Text:

1) This passage begins the famous Sermon On The Mount.

2) This sermon speaks concerning the character of those who will be in the kingdom of God.

3) Citizens of God’s kingdom should study and understand the contents of this great sermon.

3. The beatitudes

1) Each beatitude has a particular form. There is in each one…

a. A declaration of blessing.

b. A description of attitude.

c. A disposition of blessing.

2) Each beatitude begins with the declaration of blessing.

a. The word for “blessing” in Greek is MARKARIOS.

b. The word contains idea of blessedness and contentment.

3) There is then the description of the attitude.

a. Here is why these are called the “beatitudes.”

b. They are attitudes that describe who we are to be.

4) Then there is the disposition of blessing.

a. This is the actual blessing itself and the reason for the blessedness.

b. This is also what we can expect will result from having the attitude described.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. What does it mean to mourn?

1) The dictionary defines the word as follows: “To feel or express grief or sorrow.”

2) Grief or sorrow is felt in varying degrees depending upon what we mourn.

2. What do these mourn?

1) These are blessed because they are mournful.

2) The scriptures most often use the word in relationship to the death of a loved one.

a. Abraham mourned for Sarah – Genesis 23:2

b. Jacob mourned for Joseph – Genesis 37:34

c. David mourned for Absalom – 2 Sam.19:1

3) Samuel mourned for Saul’s sin – 1 Samuel 15:35

4) Ezra 10:6 says that Ezra mourned for the transgressions of Israel.

5) Neh.1:4 Nehemiah mourned the desolation and destruction of Jerusalem

6) What do we mourn today?

a. The death of friends and family.

b. Those involved in sin.

c. Calamities that come upon people around the world.

d. Ignorance regarding spiritual matters.

3. Why do these mourn?

1) Because of injustice – Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

2) Because sin is in control of one’s life and he won’t accept correction – Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

3) Because things have been neglected for so long – Nehemiah 8:9 “And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.”

4) Because of personal sin – James 4:8-10 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

4. What blessings are associated with mourning?

1) Sobriety – “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.” (Ecc.7:2)

2) Wisdom – “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecc.7:4).

3) Humility – “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:9, 10)

1. What is comfort?

1) Again the dictionary states, “To soothe in time of affliction or distress.”

2) We may comfort others or we may comfort self.

2. Who gives comfort and how are we comforted?

1) Ultimately God is the source of all comfort –

a. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Cor.1:3, 4).

b. “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thess.2:16, 17).

2) Our fellow Christians are a source of comfort.

a. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” – 1 Thess.5:11

b. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”—1 Thess.5:14

3) God’s words give comfort

a. Rom.15:4 “For whatsoever things were written … comfort of the scriptures….”

b. 1 Thess.4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

4) Being comforted doesn’t mean that we won’t have problems or difficulties.

a. God’s comfort often comes in the form of knowledge.

b. God gives us comfort not to avoid difficulties, but to endure them.

3. What is comforting?

1) Forgivness – Heb.10:17 – “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”).

2) The faithful dead live – 1 Thess.4:13-18

3) God is merciful/longsuffering and gives opportunity for repentance – 2 Peter 3:9

4) Knowing that God will be just to those who are lost – Revelation 15:3 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

4. Those that mourn will be comforted because the cause of their mourning will ultimately be removed.

1. Mourning is a natural part of life and the Bible discusses it as such (Matthew 5:4).

2. We should not look at mourning as something to be necessarily avoided; it is better to mourn than laugh (Ecc.7:4).

3. Sobriety, Wisdom, and Humility are virtues associated with mourning the scriptures.

4. Comfort helps us to endure our mourning, not avoid it (2 Cor.1:5, 6).

5. God is the source of all comfort because ultimately, he has all of the solutions to the reasons for mourning. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev.21:4)

1. We’ve looked at “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We’ve seen . . .

1) The characteristics of mourning.

2) The characteristics of comfort.

3) Some practical applications.

2. Invitation