Americans don’t like to be unhappy. “Grey skies are going to clear up; put on a happy face.” We often live in an illusion denying reality.
Jay Lenno gets paid to make people laugh. Could you imagine Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, or Dan Rather starting the evening news with the band playing, people shouting and laughing to a fifteen minute monolog of bad news? Yet how often does Lenno take the stories from the evening news and add an unexpected twist just to make people laugh?
Dr. Darold Treffert, the director of the Winnebago Mental Health Clinic in Wisconsin says the American fairy tail is that there are no problems. He notes it is un-American to let our children experience boredom frustration, loneliness, or pain. In order to protect ourselves from unwanted pain or difficulty many Americans try to desensitize ourselves, our feelings are numbed to reality (Check Your Character; Knofel Stanton, page 26).
Perhaps the single most common response to the September 11th terrorist attack was shock. Americans were dumbfounded; how could such a thing happen in the USA? It proved difficult to deny the tragic events of September 2001. Even Jay Lenno’s Tonight Show canceled programing for a time because America was in shock with nothing to laugh about.
We come today to the second of Jesus’ paradoxical statements of joy. Jesus says we are most happy when we mourn because it is then we are comforted. Again Jesus’ teaching flies in the face of what we as Americans believe. God’s kingdom is set up differently from the kingdoms of this world; the kingdom of heaven turns our thinking upside down.
Last week we began a series called, “The Beatitudes: Building Blocks To Be Like Jesus.” These are the BE-ATTITUDES, the qualities and characteristics all of us as believers should have as part of who we are. Put simply, the beatitudes say, “Live like this and you will be most happy.”
The first beatitude blessed the poor in spirit. Undoubtedly some of us are still trying to die to self through brokenness, humility and dependance upon God. The Apostle Paul said we are to be crucified with Christ, yet being crucified–dying to self– is never easy. However, dying to self is the first set of building blocks of the life lived like Jesus, a life full of joy. This morning we are going to see how the second beatitudes fits together with the first.
+ Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)
What was Jesus telling those gathered around Him to listen to the Sermon on the Mount? More importantly, what is Jesus saying to us? What does it mean for Jesus to say, “Blessed are those who mourn?”
Let’s start with what it does not mean. Jesus was not telling the multitude, nor is He telling us to be CRYBABIES. We are not to live continually in the doldrums or be gloomy and depressed. Jesus did not say, “I have come to give you a life of misery” or “the world will know you are my disciples by your long solemn faces.” Jesus said, “I’m here to give you life–abundant life!” (See: John 10:10).
Jesus is also not recommending his followers be eternal PESSIMISTS. Is the glass half full, or half empty? Do you believe the world has boarded a giant “Titanic” and we are slowly sinking? Jesus has not told us to find the dark shadow in everything. Yes we may see terrible things happen, but Jesus says, “Look up your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28 NLT). Regardless of what we may see around us, God still has a wonderful plan for our lives; He wants to give us a hope and a future! (See Jeremiah 29:11)
Remember, the beatitudes are building blocks to be like Jesus. Was Jesus a crybaby or a pessimist? No! The life lived like Jesus is a BLESSED LIFE; it is a life filled with lasting joy and real happiness. Throughout the New Testament we find the word joy:
+ John 15:11 I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. (MsgB)
+ Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy. . . (NIV)
+ Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (NIV)
+ James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. (NIV)
+ 1 Peter 1:8 Though you do not see[Jesus], you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (NLT)
“Blessed are those who mourn” is a paradoxical statement of joy. Blessing and mourning sounds like a contradiction, but when we properly understand what Jesus is saying then we are truly blessed.
Before we unpack what Jesus means, we have one more misunderstanding to deal with first (this one may surprise you). Jesus does not mean CRYBABIES, or PESSIMISTS, nor does Jesus mean the SYMPATHETIC. Those who offer sympathy or feel sorrow for others in their time of mourning are not promised a blessing. Even those who express a deeper emotion with Christlike empathy for the sorrow and pain expressed by family or friends are not promised comfort.
Hopefully some of you have the hair standing up on the back of your necks right now. Some of you should be thinking to yourself, “wait a minute pastor, my Bible tells me to share the sorrow of a friend. If I’m going to be like Jesus, then shouldn’t I give comfort to others in their time of need?”
I say, “You’re absolutely right!”
+ Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (NIV)
+ 2 Corinthians 1:4 [God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)
The Bible teaches us to “carry each other’s burdens–their sorrow and pain–fulfilling the law of Christ” (see Galatians 6:2). However, we can’t put biblical square pegs in biblical round wholes! “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” means something else all together.
Now I know someone may still not be convinced. I also once thought the same thing (I’ve even preached it before!); I mean after all the Law of the Harvest tells us “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7 NIV). If we offer comfort to a grieving friend, then we will receive comfort in our hour of sorrow too. Isn’t that what Jesus said? Those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted right? Wrong! A square peg may fit into a round whole (and visa-versa), but it won’t fill the whole!
In the beatitudes Jesus shows us the attitudes, characteristics, and qualities needed in our lives to be like Him. The beatitudes are building blocks which fit together to transform our lives into the image of Jesus. Jesus is not making eight unrelated statements; each beatitude builds upon the others. Each beatitude is connected to the others; you can’t pick and choose the ones you want.
Does it make sense to connect the poor in spirit–those who die to self–with giving comfort to others? Jesus is not talking about our response to others but our approach to God.
Let me show you the gap between the square peg and the round whole one other way, just to be sure we understand Jesus isn’t talking about showing sympathy.
What is the blessing given to the poor in spirit? “The kingdom of God.” What blessing does Jesus offer those who mourn? “Comfort.”
Only God can give “the kingdom of God;” no man can give it in response to another’s lifestyle. However, you and I can comfort one another; you wipe my tears and I’ll offer you my shoulder to cry on. The blessing Jesus promises to those who mourn is not the comfort of man but the comfort of God.
We receive the comfort of God because our hearts are being transformed. Let’ see now how the first two beatitudes fit together and what it really means to mourn.
The first “BE-ATTITUDE” is to be “poor in spirit”–to die to self. As we saw last week we die to self through brokenness, humility and dependance upon God. These are the first building blocks to be like Jesus.
Set upon this foundation is the blessing to those who mourn. Put simply mourning is HEARTBREAK FOR SIN. As we become poor in spirit which our hearts are aligned with God’s When our heart beats with God’s, then we will be hurt by the same things that grieve the heart of God.
Acknowledging our spiritual poverty produces the absolute feeling of sorrow and remorse over sin. The first beatitude gives birth to the second. The first is the intellectual; the second is our emotional response. The poor in spirit say, “I am undone; I can’t help myself.” Those who mourn say, “WOE IS ME! I AM UNDONE! GOD I NEED YOU!”
God responds to the heartbroken cry for help with comfort. What does it mean for you and I to mourn–to have our hearts broken over sin. Jesus promises blessing to those who mourn over [1]personal sin, [2]others’ sin, and [3]society’s sin.
1. HEARTBREAK FOR PERSONAL SIN.
+ Isaiah 59:1-2 1Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated—he can still save. God’s ears are not stopped up—he can still hear. 2There’s nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn’t hear. (MsgB)
God shows us right where the problem lies. Sin is not God’s problem; its our. We are personally responsible.
Let’s be honest; no one wants to own up to their “mistakes” (we don’t even like to call it sin). You and I are quick to blame someone else, pointing fingers and making accusations.
✎ It as been that way right from the start. When Adam and Eve sinned God asked Adam if he had eaten the forbidden fruit. Adam’s response was not, “Yes, Lord I did what You told me not to do;” instead Adam blamed Eve. “It’s her fault God; she was eating and gave me some too.” When Eve saw the spot light shining on her she likewise was quick to cast the blame. “The devil made me do it! Lord, the serpent told me it was good to eat.”
It’s time to let our hearts be broken by our sinful condition. Let’s not play the blame game. David understood that his sin was a personal issue between him and God.
+ Psalm 51:3-4 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. (NIV)
David took personal responsibility for his sin. Yes, his sin had affected other people. David had an affair with a married woman; Bathsheba was pregnant with David’s baby; David tried to cover it up, but Uriah was a man of honor and wouldn’t go to bed with his wife while his fellow soldiers were away at war; therefore, David had Uriah murdered.
David could have blamed Bathsheba for being so beautiful and having the nerve to take a bath in broad daylight. David could have blamed Uriah; “we could have swept this whole thing under the rug if he had just gone to bed with his wife.” Not David, “Lord, You are the one I’ve violated; I have sinned against You.”
David was not just sorry he had gotten caught; David mourned for his sin. God’s heart is broken by our sin; God wants our hearts to be broken too.
+ 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (NIV)
+ 2 Corinthians. 7:10-11 10Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. 11And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart. (MsgB)
Our hearts need to be broken before God with real repentance.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” God will do a work no man can do! Do you want God’s comfort? Do you want His Spirit to transform your life making you “more alive, more concerned, more sensitive?” Let’s have our hearts broken over our personal sin. It will lead us into genuine repentance and keep us from returning to our sin.
2. HEARTBREAK FOR THE SIN OF OTHERS.
When our hearts beat with God’s it isn’t enough to just be heartbroken by our own sin. Our heats will grieve when sin is uncovered in the lives of other believers. The Apostle Paul rebuked the church in Corinth when they ignored sin in the lives of others within the church family.
+ 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 1I also received a report of scandalous sex within your church family, a kind that wouldn’t be tolerated even outside the church: One of your men is sleeping with his stepmother. 2And you’re so above it all that it doesn’t even faze you! Shouldn’t this break your hearts? Shouldn’t it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn’t this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with? (MsgB)
What is the unspoken answer to Paul’s questions? YES! Yes our hearts should be broken; yes we should weep; yes a brother or sisters sin should be confronted.
How often are we tempted to just ignore sin, to look the other way instead of instead of having our hearts broken? How often do we think to ourselves, “I hope they get what they deserve!”
We should be concerned for one another, and be willing to take action to rescue another believer from sin. We should be willing to do spiritually what Abraham did for his nephew Lot. (Recall story from Genesis 14; Lot chose to live in Sodom and was taken captive by enemy kings. Instead of thinking Lot had gotten what he deserved, Abraham risked his life to go rescue his nephew and family.)
+ Galatians 6:1 . . .if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. (NLT)
It’s not enough to just look out for ourselves. We are supposed to look out for each other too. Our hearts should be broken by sin: personal sin, and the sin of other believers.
3. HEARTBREAK FOR THE SIN OF SOCIETY.
People who are well have no need of a doctor; the sick and injured are those who seek out the assistance of a physicians. Only sometimes an individual may be sick and not know it. How often have we heard of a friend who’s life was cut short by a sudden heart attack, or of someone who is diagnosed with cancer and dies before treatment can begin?
Those in the world, those still lost in sin have no idea they are sick. They don’t know God has provided a cure for their fatal disease. Some never find out until it is too late; they die in their sins and are separated from God for all eternity.
We know they are sin sick and need God’s help. Why? We have the same disease and have been cured. The only antidote for the disease of sin is the blood of Jesus.
+ Mark 2:17 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit." (MsgB)
CONCLUSION:
If you want to have your heart aligned with God’s and be heartbroken by your own sin, then let me encourage you to do four things.
FIRST, when you sin go first to God and then to the people you have sinned against and ASK FOR FORGIVENESS. Acknowledge how you hurt them.
SECOND, pay attention to your “INTERNAL WARNING SYSTEM.” God has given each of us an alarm that will sound off whenever we get close to sin; it’s called our conscience. As Jimminy Cricket says, “Let your conscience be your guide.”
We have to be careful to listen to our conscience or it may become insensitive “seared as with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). When the angel pops up on our right shoulder and tells us not to listen to the little devil on our left we need to heed the warning. If we don’t listen to our internal alarm, then before too long it’s warnings grow softer until we don’t hear it at all.
THIRD, sharpen your sensitivity to sin by TUNING INTO GOD AND TURNING OFF THE WORLD. We are not to be squeezed into the mold of this world. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds! (See Romans 12:2). It’s hard for our minds to be renewed if we continually saturate our thinking with the things of this world.
How can our hearts be broken by the sin in our world if we casually accept sinful behavior and language with little or no thought. As a child I learned a simple little song:
Oh be careful little eyes what you see.
Oh be careful little eyes what you see;
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.
FOURTH, keep your conscience–your internal warning system working by BEING TOGETHER WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS. We need each other! Our relationship with each other can help us be aware of the deceitfulness of sin.
Let’s learn to lovingly hold other believers accountable for how we live our lives “spurring one another on to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24).
