“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”

I.                   Mourning

“mourning” – an intense sense of loss and helplessness

A.     Mourning for human sorrow – bereavement; facing death or disappointments

B.     Mourning for the sins of the world – sorrow for sin and all its consequences

C.     Mourning for personal sin

-         Sincere sorrow for our own sin

-         Sorrow should make us look for the heart and hand of God and seek His comfort

II.                Comfort

“they shall be comforted” is the announcement of divine intervention.

Comfort is to receive divine encouragement.

A.     Mourning reveals our ultimate lack of control, our sense of helplessness

-         Our only hope lies beyond our own capacities

B.     Mourning drives us to God

C.     Comfort comes as one learns to trust Jesus as the one who paid sin’s ransom

D.     Comfort is aided by the hope of glory