THE MEANING OF MOURNING (2 OF 8)
Scripture: MATTHEW 5:4, MATTHEW 23:37, LUKE 15:11-32
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The Meaning of Mourning (2 of 8)
Series: THE "BEATTITUDES"
Dennis Marquardt
Matthew 5:4; 23:37; Luke 6:21b, 25b; 15:11-32
INTRO:
Again Jesus issues a "blessing" on a strange kind of thing ... "mourning." The term translated here for "blessing" literally means "happy." What could possibly be happy about mourning? Jesus is not so much saying mourning is a blessing, but the results that come from mourning can be.
How? Mourning is a sign of great emotion and it is often great emotions that motivate us to do great things. Here is the secret to this second beatitude. Those who mourn tend to be those who find happiness because the anguish leads to action, it can end in positive ways that make us stronger.
We are fast approaching a time when we as a people are becoming passionless. We are so bombarded with stuff to stir our emotions that we have become dull to experiencing them anymore.
The whole nature of sin should be repulsive to us. Our own sins as well as those of the world, sin does not stir us up anymore. Where is the anger over sin, the sorrow over sin, whether it is ours or someone else's sin? People can not be saved unless they are convicted of their sins and experience sorrow over them.
We are called upon to "mourn" over sin and sin's hold over us and mankind. The emotions that will be stirred in us will yield the fruit of repentance, which brings a great joy.
ILLUS:
THE GREAT SAINT CHRYSOSTOM WAS ARRESTED BY THE ROMAN EMPEROR WHO WANTED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF HIM TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY FROM CHRIST. HE DISCUSSED WITH HIS ADVISORS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO THIS CHRISTIAN. THEY ADVISED THE EMPEROR AGAINST PUTTING HIM IN A DUNGEON. THEY TOLD THE RULER THAT HE WOULD ONLY BE TOO GLAD TO BE IMPRISONED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE. THEY SAID IN PRISON HE WOULD HAVE TIME TO MEDITATE AND CALL ON GOD IN PEACE. THIS WOULD NOT WORK! THE EMPEROR SAID, "WELL, THEN WE SHOULD EXECUTE HIM." BUT AGAIN THEY TALKED HIM OUT OF THIS. THEY SAID HE WOULD ONLY BE TOO GLAD ...
Series: THE "BEATTITUDES"
Dennis Marquardt
Matthew 5:4; 23:37; Luke 6:21b, 25b; 15:11-32
INTRO:
Again Jesus issues a "blessing" on a strange kind of thing ... "mourning." The term translated here for "blessing" literally means "happy." What could possibly be happy about mourning? Jesus is not so much saying mourning is a blessing, but the results that come from mourning can be.
How? Mourning is a sign of great emotion and it is often great emotions that motivate us to do great things. Here is the secret to this second beatitude. Those who mourn tend to be those who find happiness because the anguish leads to action, it can end in positive ways that make us stronger.
We are fast approaching a time when we as a people are becoming passionless. We are so bombarded with stuff to stir our emotions that we have become dull to experiencing them anymore.
The whole nature of sin should be repulsive to us. Our own sins as well as those of the world, sin does not stir us up anymore. Where is the anger over sin, the sorrow over sin, whether it is ours or someone else's sin? People can not be saved unless they are convicted of their sins and experience sorrow over them.
We are called upon to "mourn" over sin and sin's hold over us and mankind. The emotions that will be stirred in us will yield the fruit of repentance, which brings a great joy.
ILLUS:
THE GREAT SAINT CHRYSOSTOM WAS ARRESTED BY THE ROMAN EMPEROR WHO WANTED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF HIM TO SCARE PEOPLE AWAY FROM CHRIST. HE DISCUSSED WITH HIS ADVISORS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO THIS CHRISTIAN. THEY ADVISED THE EMPEROR AGAINST PUTTING HIM IN A DUNGEON. THEY TOLD THE RULER THAT HE WOULD ONLY BE TOO GLAD TO BE IMPRISONED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE. THEY SAID IN PRISON HE WOULD HAVE TIME TO MEDITATE AND CALL ON GOD IN PEACE. THIS WOULD NOT WORK! THE EMPEROR SAID, "WELL, THEN WE SHOULD EXECUTE HIM." BUT AGAIN THEY TALKED HIM OUT OF THIS. THEY SAID HE WOULD ONLY BE TOO GLAD ...
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