“succeed one another like links in a golden chain” The Beatitudes “succeed one another like links in a golden chain” Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Two ideas are foreign to human understanding – don’t go together at all Most seek to avoid any “mourning” World’s philosophy “forget trouble & consequences of such trouble.” “Don’t worry, be happy & enjoy.” Pleasure seekers are what most of tend to be. Jesus: “Happy are you if you mourn.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” What It Does Not Mean: 1. Every mourner is always blessed Deliberate Pessimism – always miserable Philippians 4:8 in reverse Negativism will never bring blessedness 2. All who mourn the loss of a “loved one” are comforted. Sorrow should help us turn to God where comfort is to be found

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” What It Does Not Mean: 3. All who mourn over sin are blessed Many “mourn” for the wrong reason No mourning because of a hatred of sin Sorrow only for the consequences of sin in one’s life will not bring comfort. Hell is full of mourners. Luke 16:23,24 We Must Detest the SIN & VIOLATION of God’s Will

What does it mean? What kind of “mourning” ends in comfort? 1st Poor in spirit – spiritual poverty 2nd Mourning is also spiritual Mourning that grows out of realization of SIN in ones life Mourning over destitution of our spiritual state Isaiah 59:2 “iniquities separated you from your God”

What does it mean? Contrast that Paul makes in 2 Corinthians 7:10 “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” “sorrow of the world produces death” Acts 2:37 “they were cut to the heart,” This is a present sense of guilt for sin All who mourn in this fashion will find comfort.

Where is Real Joy Found for the Christian? “I would give anything to have joy.” Fail to realize only found through conviction of sin. Jesus lays down eternal truth that conviction of sin is a prerequisite to conversion, entrance into the Kingdom and happiness. An ongoing process Need to emphasize repentance

Where is Real Joy Found for the Christian? Attitude of mourning in Romans 7:18-20,22-24 WHO delivers? Verse 25 “Jesus” Every Christian should mourn the problems and sins of their lives. Such will cause them to grow out of them. This “mourning” is a mourning not to consequences of sin, but that sin has been committed.

What it promises- “They shall be comforted.” By knowledge sins forgiven, removed, taken away. Mourning over sin moves one to join himself to God, where there is comfort. Tragic when we lose our sensitivity to sin Ephesians 4:19 “past feeling”

We Must Ask Ourselves: Do I commit sins now that I once refused to tolerate? Do sermons effect me still? Am I stirred by the gospel? It is a terrible tragedy to lose such spiritual mourning over sin

What is your attitude toward sins committed? IF you realize your sin & truly desire forgiveness; you need to obey the gospel, confessing faith in Christ, repenting, then being united with Christ in baptism to wash away your sins. This attitude toward sin brings comfort? Matthew 5:4 “blessed are those who mourn”