Upside Down: Those Who Mourn
August 16, 2020
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
Our social awareness can weaken sin consciousness
Matthew 5:4
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
I. A Promise Is A Promise
II. I Am So Sorry
Isaiah 61:1–3
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Three reasons I should mourn over sin:
1. Because Sin Works Below The Surface In My Heart
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
2. Because Sin Is Powerful And It Will Destroy My Life
Matthew 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
3. Because Sin Fractures The Church
III. Rest In Peace
The old man is dead in us
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The Comfort From God Should Give Me Confidence to Approach God
Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Next Steps
- I put my trust in Jesus for the first time as my King.
- I repent of a weak sin consciousness
- I commit to walk in the comfort and peace that God promises.
Deep Dive
- How have we grown comfortable around sin and even accepted it as normal?
- Read Matthew 5:4 and discuss why “mourning” is an appropriate word for our attitude toward sin.
- Read Hebrews 4:16 and discuss how my position in Christ can give me confidence regardless of my actions.
Springboard
- If you had to choose a motto for your life what would it be and why?
- Read Proverbs 16:32 and discuss what it means about the attitude we should have.
- Matthew 5:5 promises an inheritance. What do we have to look forward to in eternity as God’s people?
