John Lloyd - The Sermon On The Mount - Mourning
/Seeking God First: A Study on the
Sermon of the Mount
Blessed are Those who Mourn Matthew 5:4
April 22, 2018
Pastor John Lloyd
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expresses His desire for us to live for Him in an upside down world. This greatest sermon ever given, is uplifting, yet challenges us to live a life with Jesus that is far better than any other! It is our prayer that you will be amazed and challenged by studying and applying this great sermon to your life. Small groups are also available throughout the week to further discuss and put into practice the lessons taught from the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4.God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Big Idea: Mourning our losses before God opens our hearts to receive the amazing comfort of God.
The loss of anything that a person counts as valuable will produce mourning, whether it’s one’s financial support, or loved ones, or status in society, or even one’s standing before God. Wilkins
Real losses produce mourning in our ____________.
Matthew 5:4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed – It will go well with
We should not assume that if we are trusting in God we won’t weep, or feel anger, or feel hopeless. Remember Jesus is presented as the suffering servant. Keller, Timothy. (See Isaiah 42 & 53)
Romans 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (2 Corinthians 1:8)
“The renounced in spirit are affected and affected deeply. Having been cleansed by renunciation they are now more sensitive than ever to the world’s pain.” E Stanley Jones
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
The world inflicts blows, losses, and pain upon the godly. It includes every wrong done us, as well as every painful consequence of our own wrongdoing. Lenski
‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.’” (Matt 26:37–38).
Action Steps: Give yourself permission to grieve your losses. Give your heart permission to lament the injustices of this world. Pray the lament psalms to God… Psalm 39, 88.
The surrendered heart is the sensitive heart.
III. Mourning with God expands our souls to _______________ God.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Mourn- the verb denotes a loud mourning such as the lament for the dead or a severe painful loss.
As far as contrition is concerned let us keep in mind the first of Luther’s famous 95 Theses, that our entire life must be a continuous contrition and repentance. God’s people are indeed a mournful lot. Martyn Lloyd Jones
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 51:17)
Some thoughts about pain and mourning:
- God uses our pain to get our attention. (2 Cor.7:9)
2. Sometimes it takes a painful experience to get us to change our ways. (Jonah 2:7)
3. Pain teaches us to depend upon God. (Psalm 119:71)
4. God allows pain to give us a ministry to others. (2 Cor.1:3-4) Isaiah 42:3 a bruised reed he will not break,
God can heal bruised reeds! God can recycle my pain!
God’s _____________ is brought to our souls through our losses.
“It will go well with those who mourn, they will receive the comfort of God.”
Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
Comfort is made up of two words, con, “with,” and fortis, “strength” literally, “strengthened by being with.” Isaiah 66:13
A. Comfort may come through fellow _________________.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. Pr.27:9
Join a Griefshare, Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Care or growth group. It may be helpful for one should also seek counsel of a trained Christian counselor.
B. Comfort comes from _____________________ Jesus and His Word.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The greatest comfort is the absolution pronounced upon every contrite sinner. Because of Jesus we can grieve with hope. I Thess.4:13
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
It will go well with those who mourn, for they shall experience God’s comfort. God can give you strength to face your losses by His grace.
Growth Group Questions for April 22nd
Icebreaker: How would you describe the word “blessed?” Ask each member to write their definition on a piece of paper. Collect and read each definition, letting the group guess who wrote each one. What did you learn from these responses?
1. Read Matthew 5:4. Consider the word blessed as meaning “it will go with the person who.” How can it go well with the person who is mourning? Why is knowing our sins have been paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus a comfort to one who is mourning?
2. Read Isaiah 61:1-4. Why are people mourning in this passage? What promises are made to those who mourn? How does this bring encouragement to heavy hearts?
3. Read Joel 1:13, James 4:9-10. Why are they mourning in these verses? Discuss Martin Luther’s first thesis that followers of Jesus should be a continual state of repentance and contrition over their sins. Why is this helpful or not helpful?
4. Those who mourn feel sorrow not only for their own sin but also for the sin they see around them. What have you heard in the news lately that caused you to mourn?
5. Read Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 66:13, 2 Cor. 1:3-4, 2 Cor.1:8-9. I will not leave you comfortless. How do you think those who mourn will be comforted? How does it help you that Paul despaired for his life? What did this experience do for Paul?
6. Read Isaiah 53:3-4, Hebrews 7:25, Revelation 21:4. What do you notice about Jesus and his life on earth? What do you notice about his ministry in heaven? How does his ministry on earth impact his ministry in heaven?
7. Discuss how we can help each other with the losses impacting our souls. Pray for one another. Pray for those you know who are facing intense trials.
It will go well with those who mourn, for they will be comforted.