GrowthDepthStrength When all there’s left is – hope

GrowthDepthStrength Matthew 5: 4 (NIVUK) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Biblical hope is  Not wishful thinking  Certainty that God’s in control  Colossian s 1:27 “Christ in YOU the HOPE of glory”

GrowthDepthStrength Haiti   149 th of 182 countries in the UN Human Development Index   9.8million population – 50% under 20   Richest 1% own nearly half the wealth 80% live on $2 or less per day!   53% illiteracy   Country is virtually bankrupt

GrowthDepthStrength Understanding mourning “You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” (The Message)

GrowthDepthStrength Understanding mourning   Bereavement   Suffering humiliation ”They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:3-4 NIVUK)

GrowthDepthStrength Understanding mourning   Bereavement   Suffering humiliation   Relationship breakdown   Sin prevents relationship with God “Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God….he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles” Ezra 10:6 (NIVUK)

GrowthDepthStrength How do we react if someone   Doesn’t respond to God’s offer of forgiveness   Turns away, reverts to their old way of life   Attacks God’s integrity   Finds faith difficult   Under persecution

GrowthDepthStrength

GrowthDepthStrength The Process  We mourn  We receive comfort

GrowthDepthStrength How?  We’re in this together – with God  We’re in this together – with each other

GrowthDepthStrength Jesus’ mandate “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

GrowthDepthStrength Jesus’ mandate “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

GrowthDepthStrength Together – with God “I hurt with the hurt of my people. I mourn and am overcome with grief” Jeremiah 8:21 (NLT) “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:30 (NIVUK)

GrowthDepthStrength Together – with God “The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” Job 5: 11(NIVUK) “May Your unfailing love be my comfort…” Psalm 119:76a (NIVUK)

GrowthDepthStrength Together – with each other “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” 2Corinthians 1: 3-5 (NIVUK)

GrowthDepthStrength The Challenge   Who am I prepared to allow to get close to me so I’m not isolated?   What am I as an individual doing to help others grow closer to Jesus?   What experiences do I have that can be helpful?   Where can I receive training to help me grow in this area   How can we as a church reach out and serve our community in these areas?

GrowthDepthStrength Psalm 119: (NIVUK) “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight”