HOW MOURNING CAN BE A GOOD THING
Matthew 5:4

Introduction:      The Lord Jesus is telling us that there is a type of mourning that is good.  This is a mourning caused by sorrow over sin. This is a mourning that brings comfort.    Most people do not like to even admit to sin, let alone sorrow over it. However the person who admits to sin and sorrows over it Biblically is the one who is going to experience the comfort of God's forgiveness. Let’s consider mourning in three ways.

I.          MOURNING OVER SELF

            A.        The Discomfort Of Conviction

Mourning is often involved in the salvation experience. When a person is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit for salvation, it is a natural response to mourn before God because of your sinfulness.

            B.         The Delight Of Comfort

The comfort for that kind of mourning comes when a person discovers that Christ has died for their sin, and that by claiming Him as Savior, there is forgiveness. Christian, you and I are the ones who should know something about mourning over sin. Because Jesus had to suffer a horrific death so that we can have forgiveness and salvation, we should be grieved when we are convicted of anything that causes Him pain. The classic case of sin and mourning over it is the story of "David and Bathsheba". When David was convicted over the sin, he mourned. Psalm 51:1-4 David was totally honest with God about his sin.

·         He gave no excuse.

·         He blamed nobody else.

·         He took full responsibility.

When we mourn over sin, we will do the same.

·         We will be totally honest. 

·         We will name the specific sin or sins.

·         We will blame nobody else.

·         We will take full responsibility.

·         We will be sorry for the sin, not just for being caught.

·         We will strive to forsake that sin.

With confession comes the comfort of forgiveness. (1 John 1:9, Psa 32:1-2) "...Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. {2} Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."

How should we handle mourning over sin as Christians?

1. First we should confess any known sin to God that we have not dealt with before.
2. We should have a set time each day to examine our lives for sin, perhaps, first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night.
3. If we need help knowing what God considers sin, we can refer to the Scripture (Colossians 3:5-10)

As Christians, let's look to the cross and remind ourselves how Jesus has suffered for us.  That should be motivation for us to quit what we are doing for His sake. Isaiah 53:3-6

II.         MOURNING OVER SAINTS
There is a difference between being critical of the saints, and mourning over the sins of the saints.

A.                 The Danger Of Criticism

·         When a person is critical, he or she, is not concerned about the spiritual well-being of the person involved.

·         When a person is critical, he is not sorrowed over the sin.

·         When a person is critical, he is making himself feel good by pointing out what's wrong in another person.

·         When a person is critical, he thinks of himself as better than the other person.

How is mourning over the sins of the saints different from criticism of the saints?

            B.         The Difference Is Concern

·         You’re seriously concerned about the holiness of God, and don't want to see anyone sin against Him.

·         You are concerned about the spiritual well being of the person.

·         You want to see the person restored to God.

·         You talk to God in concerned prayer about the person.

·         You ask God to deliver the person from their sin.

·         You talk to the person involved about their sin instead of talking to others.

(Illus: The Corinthians instead of grieving over sin and seeking to restore the brother to righteousness instead congratulated themselves on their open-mindedness. They were "tolerating" the man's sin. 1 Corinthians 5:1-2)

We should mourn over the laxness and outright sin we see in the church and in ourselves.  I believe America is in moral trouble today because Christians have failed to live righteously and to take a stand for what is right. But there is hope.  2 Chronicles 7:1-14

III.       MOURNING OVER SINNERS

The sinners I refer to now are the sinners without the Savior. We should mourn for those we know without Christ. The great passage that reminds us to mourn over those who do not know Christ as Savior is found in the Old Testament. (Psalm 126:5-6) “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

A.                 The Opportunity Of Going

B.                 The Outlook Of Sowing

C.                 The Outcome Of Reaping

Conclusion:       When we sorrow before God over the people we know without Christ and pray for them in mourning we can expect to see some of them come to Christ as Savior. God has promised great comfort from this good mourning. And if we need motivation to mourn for those without Christ consider just one more verse of Scripture. (Rev 20:15) "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."