The Beattitudes THE MIND OF CHRIST Blessed are they that mourn Sept 2, 2007 10:30 a.m.

Puzzling? Ecc 7:2-4 Eccl 7:2-4 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. NASU

The Beattitudes THE MIND OF CHRIST Blessed are . . . mourn for they shall be comforted.

Not all mourning is blessed Mourn (Grieve) = Blessing Moan (Complain) = Unblessed

Reversed Beattitude “How unfortunate are those who moan and complain… for they shall be continually frustrated.”

Thesis: Examples of Unblessed mourning The Type that is Blessed How can I experience true mourning?

Unblessed Moaning Cynical and negative moaning Ecc 1:1:8-9 All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. 9 That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. NASU

Unfair Treatment Luke 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, " Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" NASU

Not getting credit or moan over another’s good fortune Luke 15:29-32 "But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' NASU

Moaning over Adversity Num 11:1 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them NASU

Moaning over FOOD Num 21:4-5 5 The people spoke against God and Moses, " Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food." NASU

Kibroth-hattaavah = Graves of lust 4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, " Who will give us meat to eat? 5 " We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna." NASU Num 11:33 While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very severe plague. NASU

What is Blessed Mourning? Why is Moaning so Bad? IT IS ALWAYS SELF-CENTERED! What is Blessed Mourning?

The Blessing of Mourning is very real God-Centered! Gk – Lit. “Grief Stricken.” True Mourning has Therapeutic Value Spankings done right Adults mourning loss Mother nature! The Blessing of Mourning is very real

Blessed Mourning – Sin! Godly sorrow =mourning Blessing No Godly Sorrow = no Hope! 2 Cor 7:10-11 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. NASU Blessing moaning

David was in miserable in sin “As long as I did not confess my sins my bones dried up within me.” Finally to Nathan: “I have sinned.” As long as he refused to mourn, in agony—no comfort!

David blessed in mourning Ps 51:2-4 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. NASU The joy of his salvation is renewed through this catharsis of spirit. (Ps 51: 12)

How Can I Be Brought to Mourning? QUIT MOANING! Direct Confrontation with the word of God. Heb 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing .. able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 . . .all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. NASU

Four Steps to Mental Health Identify our sins Accept Responsibility (Mourn) Bring them to the cross Leave them there!