They that Mourn

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-6

 

I.         Some statements in the Bible present a paradox – seemingly conflicting ideas that are both true.

            A.        Such is present in Matthew 5:4

                        1.         To be blessed is to be given cause to be happy.

                        2.         To mourn is to be sad

II.        Jesus was not talking about every person who is sad

            A.        Some sorrowed when they realized too late that they did wrong - Luke 23:47-48

            B.        Some sorrow is due to worldly living - II Corinthians 7:10

            C.        Some sorrow is due to unbelief - I Thessalonians 4:13

            D.        Some sorrow because they are losing their profit - Revelation 18:9-11

III.       There is a godly way to sorrow over our own sin

            A.        It is a recognition of our true position compared to where we should be - Luke 18:13

            B.        It causes a person to work to change - II Corinthians 7:8-10

            C.        The woman who wiped Jesus’ feet - Luke 7:36-50

                        1.         Her sorrow caused her to approach the one who give her forgiveness

                        2.         It caused her to express her love for the Son of God

                        3.         Simon serves as a contrast. He stood in judgment of others, not seeing himself accurately, and not truly seeing who was in his house

            D.        God wants true sorrow and not just a show of sorrow - Joel 2:12-13

                        1.         Some want to appear religious by their apparent sorrow - Matthew 6:16-18

IV.      There should also be sorrow over the condition of the world

            A.        Some in Israel properly sorrowed over their brethren’s sin - Ezekiel 9:4

            B.        God will bring them gladness - Isaiah 61:1-3; 66:10-13

            C.        When Jesus came into this world

                        1.         He found people without guidance - Matthew 9:35-38

                        2.         The place of worship turned into a money making event - John 2:13-17

                        3.         Leaders only concerned about keeping their place - John 11:47-48

                        4.         Hypocrisy abounded - Matthew 23:13-33

                        5.         And he wept over what must happen - Luke 19:41-44

            D.        Paul wept as well

                        1.         Over the need to scold those in sin - II Corinthians 2:4

                        2.         About those who became enemies of Christ - Philippians 3:18-19

            E.        We enter the kingdom through tribulation - Acts 14:21-22

V.        But the sadness doesn’t last - Psalms 126:5-6

            A.        The Christian age is one that moves us beyond the sadness - Isaiah 65:17-19

            B.        Jesus offers forgiveness of sin - Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38

                        1.         There is a solution to be gained!

            C.        This world will pass away - II Peter 3:10-13

                        1.         The problems of the world will come to an end

            D.        Justice will be served - Revelation 20:15; 21:8

            E.        And God’s people will enter a land without tears - Revelation 21:3-4

            F.        Jesus told us the truth, the mourners will be blessed!

            G.        Will you be among them?