This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word.
Those Who Mourn
The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Series
By Greg Johnson
Matthew 5:4
Jesus said (Matthew 5:4 NIV) "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Mournfulness is one of the eight qualities of character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God that Jesus declares in the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Those that mourn are blessed with comfort both in the present and in the future.
THOSE THAT MOURN
In 1984, Becky and I had been married for two years and were living in Lexington, Kentucky. We got a phone call in the middle of the night that I will never forget. Numbed by sleepiness I answered the phone and the person identified herself as a friend of Becky’s mom calling from the emergency room at St. Marys hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. I knew that the information I was about to receive could not be good. We ser informed Becky’s dad had passed away from a sudden massive heart attack. He was 46 years old. Becky went through an extended grieving process. There would be some days that she would just sit and cry and there was nothing I could do or say to comfort her. Time would be the healer.
Everyone has experienced this type of sorrow associated with losing a loved one to death. By the grace of God, both of my parents are still living, but I have buried all four of my grandparents whom I loved and respected. Even though they were all Christ followers, my heart was sorrowful at each of their departure from earth to go to glory.
This sorrow is real and can be debilitating, but the sorrow of bereavement is not the sorrow that Jesus is referring to in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is referring to the sorrow associated with repentance.
Last week we looked at the poor in spirit and how they realize their spiritual poverty and acknowledge it. This is what separates them from the religionist who is trying to earn citizenship into the Kingdom of God through their own merit. It is one thing to realize ones spiritual poverty and acknowledge it. It’s another thing to mourn and grieve over ones spiritual poverty. This is the quality of character that Jesus is describing here. Citizens of the Kingdom of God mourn and grieve over their sin. They run from their sin to God.
THE BLESSING FOR THOSE THAT MOURN
The blessing for those that mourn over their sin is comfort. They are comforted by Jesus both in the present and in the future.
According to the Old Testament prophets, the Messiah would be one that would bring comfort. Concerning the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote:
(Isaiah 40:1 NIV) "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God."
(Isaiah 61:1 NIV) "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,"
Jesus came into our world to bring comfort to those that will follow Him. Jesus said (John 10:10-11 NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. {11} "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Jesus comforts those that follow Him and they are able to say (Psalms 23 NIV) "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. {5} You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. {6} Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
The climax to the Christ follower’s comfort comes around the throne when their full citizenship in the Kingdom of God is reality. (Revelation 7:17 NIV) "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Beloved, you may have cried yourself to sleep last night, but as citizens of the Kingdom of God, He will wipe away all of your tears. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). He’s the Good Shepherd that has laid His life down so that you can have life. Abundant life now and a tearless life around the throne for all eternity!
Please know that citizenship in God’s Kingdom requires a new birth. Jesus said (John 3:3 NIV) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." If you are not yet a citizenship of the Kingdom of God, fall at the foot of the cross today and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. Recognize and admit your spiritual poverty. Grieve and mourn over your sin as you repent and run away from it into the hands of a Holy God. He will save you completely and bring you much comfort both now and in the future.
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson
Founding Pastor
Loving God Fellowship
www.GAJohnson.org
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship with a revolutionary new church plant in Salem, Oregon, and a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
