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The Beatitudes Lesson 05
Introduction:
1. We are presently studying "the Beatitudes" that Jesus presented at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12). 2. In the Beatitudes,: a. Jesus showed how people in different categories will be "blessed" [spiritually happy] b. Jesus gave His requirements for receiving these blessings. 3. This lesson is the first of a 2-part study of the 2nd Beatitude -- "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). a. In the first part of our study we are concentrating on the meaning of "mourning." b. The second lesson will emphasize the blessing that Jesus promised: "comfort." Discussion: I. WE OCCASIONALLY MOURN IN A GENERAL SENSE A. Mourn: to experience sadness and grief when we lose someone or something special to us. B. According to Ecclesiastes 3:4, there is "a time to mourn." C. Bible characters who mourned over their losses include: 1. Abraham (Genesis 23:1-2) 2. Job (Job 2:11-13) 3. Jesus (John 11:35-36) 4. the widows who knew Dorcas (Acts 9:39). D. Thankfully, comfort is available when we mourn in this sense (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). II. IN THIS BEATITUDE JESUS DEALT WITH "MOURNING OVER SIN" A. Those who mourn over their own sins will be blessed. 1. The 1st Beatitude has to do with being "poor in spirit." 2. A person who is "poor in spirit" is aware of his condition when he sins. 3. His humility leads him to "mourn" over his condition. 4. Bible characters who mourned over their sins include: a. David (Psalm 51:7-12) b. Peter (Luke 22:61-62). 5. A person who mourns over his sins will seek forgiveness from the Lord and is therefore comforted and blessed. 6. To receive this comfort, we must: a. understand what sin is (1 John 3:4; 5:17; James 4:17) b. understand what sin does -- it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) c. allow godly sorrow to lead us to repent (2 Corinthians 7:10) d. seek forgiveness from God (James 4:8-10). B. Those who mourn over the sins of others will be blessed. 1. The Lord wants us to be concerned about how sin affects other people. 2. Bible characters who mourned over the sins of others include: a. Ezra (Ezra 9:1-3; 10:1) b. Jesus (Luke 19:41-44). Conclusion: 1. Sin ought to cause us to "mourn" (our sins as well as the sins of others). 2. Those who "mourn" will receive a great blessing: "they shall be comforted." | ||