Sermon VIII - How mourners should order their mourning - Matthew 5:4
SERMON VIII
OR How mourners should order their mourning "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." -
MATTHEW 5:4
When you find yourself in a state of mourning, be careful not to envy those who are not in the same sad condition as you. Even though you may lack many desired comforts, bless God for others who have them. It is a sign of a good disposition and a positive preparation for comfort when you can sincerely thank God for the comforts others enjoy. However, it is common for hearts troubled with sorrow to become envious, especially if they are in a lowly and afflicted state.
But beware of such a mindset, as it will intensify your sorrow and make it more bitter for you.
Lastly, in accordance with your mourning condition, engage in much prayer. Be sure to couple abundant prayer with abundant sorrow.
Never allow your heart to indulge in excessive sorrow that cannot coexist with ample prayer. Whatever your state may be, even if you claim that it forces you to mourn, remember this timeless rule for those who wish to mourn in a Christian manner: there must be a proportion of prayer to sorrow. If there is little prayer, there should be little sorrow; if there is much sorrow, there should be much prayer. I have found in Scripture that mourning and praying are often linked. As the Apostle James says, "If any man be afflicted, let him pray." In Hosea 12, it is written concerning Jacob that "he wept and made supplication," connecting weeping and supplication. The
same connection is made between affliction and praying. In the book of Judges, it is mentioned that the people of God mourned and wept to such an extent that the place was named Bochim, and they sacrificed there to the Lord. Sacrifice is mentioned alongside mourning. If one's mourning renders them unfit for sacrifice, it also makes them unfit for prayer. Surely, such mourning is not a godly sorrow. If it hinders you from praying, if you cannot pour out your soul freely before God as you do in other times, beware of such mourning. In Ezra 9, there is a remarkable passage where the holy man Ezra, in great affliction and sorrow, sat in astonishment.
However, in verse 5, he says, "At the evening sacrifice I arose from my heaviness." When the time came for him to offer sacrifice, he rose from his heaviness. His mourning did not hinder him from fulfilling his duty. When your heart is constricted in mourning, regardless of the reasons you give for your mourning, whether it be your unworthiness or sinfulness or any other excuse, if it restricts your heart in prayer, it is not a godly sorrow. Add much prayer to much mourning. When someone approaches you and you constantly complain about your afflictions, and you mourn more than your neighbors, do you pray more than your neighbors? Do you pray as much as you complain? Is there a proportion between your praying and complaining? If there is no proportion between your praying and complaining, then be silent, complain no further, but pray more.
Many other rules could be provided, but we will leave them and proceed to the more spiritual sense of the text.
Blessed are those who mourn.
I have discussed those who find themselves in a state of mourning and conduct themselves graciously within that condition. I have explained how they are blessed and how they shall be comforted.
However, there is a more spiritual aspect to the text. If those in any
mourning condition behave graciously, they are blessed and will be comforted. Therefore, I will focus on those who mourn for sin, making it the object of their mourning— their own sins, the sins of others, and the afflictions of the Church. Those who mourn for these reasons are truly blessed, and they shall be comforted.
Regarding these individuals, I do not intend to extensively delve into the topic or discourse on godly sorrow. Instead, I will provide some insight into spiritual mourners who grieve over their sins and the sins of others. First, I will explain what true mourning for sin entails.
Firstly, true mourning for sin occurs when a soul mourns because it is against God. As David proclaims in Psalm 51:4, "Against thee, thee only have I sinned." While David had sinned against Uriah, his kingdom, and his own soul, he acknowledged that above all, he had sinned against God. This truth deeply affected him. David reiterates,
"thee, thee only have I sinned," as if to say, "O Lord, I am not primarily concerned about the negative consequences of my sin, but what truly troubles me is that I have sinned against such a blessed
God as you are. I have gone against your blessed will, and that pierces my heart." This is godly sorrow—mourning not so much because the sin is against oneself, but because it is against the beloved God whom the soul adores.
Secondly, true mourning for sin involves grieving over it as the greatest evil. As written in Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am!
Who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Paul never bemoans his sufferings, despise or losses in the world. Instead, he cries out concerning his sin. His greatest sorrow is for sin.
Thirdly, true mourning for sin also involves approving of the Law that forbids that sin. The afflicted heart acknowledges the Law of God as holy, just, and good, even in the midst of the affliction caused
by sin. As stated in Romans 7:12, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Though the soul recognizes its wretchedness and vileness, it approves of the Law. Many individuals are troubled by their sin, yet their spirits are against the holiness of the Law that forbids that sin. They may wish that such a Law did not exist or that it did not reveal God's threats against their sin. However, a truly mourning heart, sensitive to the evils caused by sin through the Law, says, "I would not wish for the absence of such a Law. I bless God that I have come to know the Law, and I not only recognize it as a righteous Law but also as a good Law." This is the third aspect of true mourning for sin.
The fourth aspect is that true mourning for sin leads the heart to Jesus Christ. If you are troubled by sin, mourn, and believe that your mourning alone can satisfy God, your mourning is only carnal and natural. Many individuals, when troubled by their sin, mistakenly think that God will be satisfied solely by their mourning. However, no matter how much you mourn, even if you mourn your heart out for thousands of years, it could never satisfy God's justice. Your mourning will amount to nothing unless it drives you to Jesus Christ for satisfaction to God's justice. Mourning for sin that leads the soul to Christ—that is the blessed mourning. Conversely, if anyone finds satisfaction solely in their mourning, thinking that God will accept them without their hearts being drawn to Christ, their mourning will fade away and come to nothing.
Fifthly, true mourning for sin entails the heart's rejection of sin. It is not mourning for sin while continuing to live in sin, but rather, genuine and gracious mourning for sin leads to an eternal separation between the soul and sin. Every individual naturally has a connection between their soul and sin. However, when God afflicts the soul for sin, causing it to mourn in a godly manner, the soul becomes so
aware of the evil of sin that it permanently severs the bond between sin and the soul. If sin has become so bitter to me through God's grace, then farewell to it forever. Although I may fall due to weakness, I will renounce sin. It sets the soul against sin for all time.
Sixthly, true gracious mourning for sin is a voluntary work within the soul. It is not imposed upon the soul, but rather, in a gracious manner, the soul willingly and freely applies Scriptures that make sin burdensome. It does not turn away from those Scriptures or truths.
Instead, when it hears any truth or reads any Scripture that highlights the weight of sin, it willingly and gladly applies them. It rejoices in coming across any truth of God that reveals the evil of its own sin. This is a genuine and free form of mourning. Conversely, some individuals mourn desperately, compelled to do so against their will. However, when the heart can freely embrace the Word and genuinely thank God for opening its eyes to understand the evil of sin, and for applying those truths that have made sin burdensome, that is true and gracious mourning. Many individuals are troubled by sin despite their hearts rebelling and trying to rid themselves of God's truths. They seek solace in worldly company, engaging in activities such as playing or drinking, in an attempt to push away those truths. However, a gracious man or woman, when confronted with a truth that troubles them for their committed sins, goes alone and blesses God for that truth. They say, "Blessed be the time when the Lord revealed the evil of sin to my soul. May the Lord continue to impress these truths upon me." They consider it a great mercy. This is the sixth aspect of true mourning.
Seventhly, and finally, a gracious mourner for sin cannot be satisfied with anything other than the removal of the guilt and defilement of sin. A person who mourns for sin in a natural or forced manner may be satisfied if God grants them peace or removes the anguish and
fears from their conscience. However, a gracious mourner for sin seeks satisfaction only in the cleansing of sin's guilt through the blood of Christ and the sanctification of the soul by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. This is the sole source of comfort for their heart.
In summary, I have briefly outlined what constitutes gracious mourning for sin. Although a more extensive exploration of these seven aspects could have been undertaken, I have only provided a glimpse. Now, those who mourn in this manner for sin are blessed for several reasons.
Firstly, they greatly honour God. The sovereignty, holiness, and justice of God are honoured when a lowly creature, who has offended the sovereign, holy, and righteous God, mourns for its committed sins. In such a state of mourning, God perceives Himself as honoured. In contrast, when a sinner obstinately persists in prideful and stubborn sinning, they defy the Almighty God and deny Him the honour He deserves. Yet, when the Word of God breaks down such a sinner, afflicting them for their committed sins, and the sinner humbly prostrates themselves before the Lord, mourning and lamenting over their sins, the name of the great, holy, and just God is exalted. Blessed are those who exalt the name of God in this manner.
You should have honoured God through obedience, but you failed and dishonoured Him through disobedience. If your heart is now willing to honour God through mourning, there is blessedness.
Secondly, mourning for sin is a blessed thing because it is an evangelical grace. It is what is promised in the Gospel. When Christ says, "I will send the Comforter," you might wonder, "What is the purpose of this Comforter? To comfort us by convicting us of sin?"
Indeed, the role of the Comforter is to convict the world of sin.
Although it may seem paradoxical, it is the Comforter's way.
Therefore, mourning for sin is blessed. There is nothing more evangelical than faith and repentance. Mourning for sin, as I have described it, is not a legalistic act or a work of the Law. The Law does not take notice of mourning for sin. Rather, it is a work of the Spirit of God, the comforting Spirit, to convict the world of sin. By the way, when you hear preaching that penetrates your heart and convicts you of sin, do not be vexed or troubled by it. This is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, performing His first work—convicting the souls that will be saved of their sin. Therefore, embrace it and bless God for it. Now the Holy Spirit comes to pave the way for comfort in my soul. In Zechariah 12, it is written, "I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child." This mourning is a fruit of the spirit of grace and supplication promised to be poured out in the Gospel era. The first sermon we hear of Christ preaching is, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He instructs His disciples to preach in the same manner. Preaching that elicits mourning for sin is an evangelical preaching. It is a fruit of the spirit of grace promised in the Gospel era. A congregation upon whom the Lord pours out this spirit of grace, causing them to look upon Christ whom they have pierced with their sins and mourn over Him, is blessed. The abundant fruit of the Gospel is manifested within them.
Thirdly, those who mourn for sin are in a blessed condition because they have acquired proper judgement. Their understanding is enlightened to discern what is truly good and evil, and their spirits are in the right disposition. Previously, they were blind and ignorant, unaware of God, themselves, and matters pertaining to their eternal well-being. But now they comprehend the essence of good and evil.
Formerly, their hearts were hardened, rendering them impervious to the impact of divine truths. However, their hearts have softened
graciously and are now in the right disposition. Therefore, they are blessed.
Fourthly, mourning for sin assists in alleviating other sorrows. While we reside in this world, we will encounter numerous sources of sorrow. We must grieve over something. The sorrow for sin diminishes the impact of other sorrows. Those who are deeply affected by the wrongfulness of their sins are not greatly perturbed by other afflictions. The awareness of sin overshadows the pain of other sorrows.
Fifthly, it is a means to prevent eternal sorrows. Surely, every soul must come to understand the meaning of sin at some point in their lives. No sinner on Earth can evade this experience. Sorrow for sin is inevitable. It is determined in Heaven that all individuals must die, just as it is predetermined that all must experience sorrow. If repentance is necessary, sorrow becomes an essential component.
Therefore, it is far better to grieve for sin while there is a chance of pardon than to mourn for sin when there is no hope of remedy. If you spend your days here in frivolity and merriment, never experiencing the weight of sin on your spirit, you are destined to endure eternal sorrows and bear the burden of your sin for all eternity. However, blessed are those who mourn now, who comprehend the burden of their sins. By experiencing the weight of sin now, they feel it at a time when there is hope of deliverance from this evil for all eternity. Thus, they are undoubtedly blessed.
Consider how many thousands of men and women have lived carefree lives, proceeding through their existence with hardened hearts, never becoming aware of their sins. Yet, on their sickbeds or at the point of death, they cry out in anguish over their sins, only to find that the Lord has withdrawn from them. Now, I would ask such individuals, would you have considered it a blessed thing if you had
carried the weight of sin on your soul before, during your healthy and strong years? On their sickbeds and at the point of death, they exclaim, "Oh, how fortunate it would have been if I had known the evil of sin earlier! How blessed it would have been if, during the times I spent in revelry, mirth, and taverns with certain companions,
I had devoted those moments to mourning for my sin. How blessed it would have been if I had been alone with God, lamenting for my sin!
How happy it would have been for me! I would now have comfort and peace in my sickbed." Yet, I was led astray by my senses and my flesh, seeking to gratify the desires of the flesh. I thought, "Let me live joyfully and extravagantly for a while." And now, the weight of sin descends upon me. I feel its burden, and I cry out for the Lord's mercy. The sins of my merry gatherings come to mind—my oaths and violations of the Sabbath, my indulgence in drunkenness and immorality, my lies, and my neglect of God and His worship. It would have been better for me to have been a mourner earlier.
Therefore, blessed are those who mourn.
Lastly, it is a disposition that prepares one for the grace of God. None taste the sweetness of God's grace in Christ more than those who mourn for sin. A single drop of mercy is incredibly sweet. It is worth more than countless worlds. The application of a single drop of Jesus
Christ's blood to the soul is profoundly sweet. Such a disposition is blessed. We preach Jesus Christ and the glorious mysteries of grace and salvation to you time and again. However, many thousands regard these precious truths with little importance. You hear them and depart, your hearts unaffected. Yet, if you were among those who mourn, you would treasure even the crumbs that fall from the table.
Those truths that are currently disregarded would be highly esteemed. They would be worth more than thousands upon thousands of worlds to you. Therefore, blessed are those who mourn, for they possess the disposition to value Jesus Christ, the great work
He has accomplished in the world, and the supreme purpose of God the Father. This purpose has been His chief work and His great design throughout eternity—to magnify Himself. Blessed are those who possess such a disposition, valuing the glory of God in Jesus
Christ.
Seventhly, there is another reason why those who mourn are blessed: the abundance of promises made to them. This is one comprehensive promise, although there are numerous others throughout Scripture that offer comfort to those who mourn. Simply reading Psalm 34:18 and Isaiah 57:15 would be enough to bring comfort to the mourners.
They are in a blessed condition because they shall be comforted.
Firstly, they will be absolved of the sins for which they mourn. Yes, you are absolved, and one day you will come to know that you are freed from those sins. The sins that weigh on your heart will never be held against your soul. This is a blessed assurance, be certain of it.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit has not yet come upon you to seal this in your soul, but you are one upon whom the Holy Spirit will descend, making it clear and certain to your soul. Your pardon is already sealed in Heaven, and it will be sealed in your conscience. Just as I can regard a condemned criminal as a blessed man if I know that his pardon has been sealed, even if he himself is not yet aware of his blessedness, those who understand the Word of God and comprehend His revealed will in the Scriptures know that you are a blessed individual, and you will come to know it one day.
Secondly, not only will you be assured of your absolution, but your mourning for sin will cause God to have compassion on you in your afflictions. The Lord will bring sweetness to your afflictions. The reason why our afflictions are so bitter is because sin is not bitter
enough. However, for those who bear their sin as a burden, they will experience the Lord's compassion in all their afflictions.
Thirdly, you will find comfort in the fact that your very mourning for sin will be a blessing to help you overcome the very sin for which you mourn. This is certain: either a person's sin will put an end to their mourning, or their mourning will put an end to their sin. If one continues in sin, they will cease to mourn. However, if they do not cease to mourn, they will cease to sin. Mourning for sin possesses a special efficacy that aids in overcoming the sin for which you mourn.
The bitterness you now experience acts as a specific means to combat the lingering worms within your soul.
Lastly, above all, you are blessed if you mourn for sin because one day you will be completely freed from sin. You will no longer sin against God. Won't that be a blessed time? Won't it bring you comfort? Certainly, such a time exists. To delve into these specific points with supporting Scriptures would require a significant amount of time, which I am not willing to do here. Instead, let us continue exploring Christ's sermon.
Now, by way of application, let's address some important points.
Firstly, what will happen to those who rejoice in sin? Those who find pleasure and delight in sin, who sin and laugh in their wickedness, who make sin their source of entertainment and ultimate joy in the world? There are many individuals whose greatest delight lies in indulging their sinful desires and lusts. Oh, what a dreadful condition they are in! The wickedness of their souls is truly terrifying. Is there nothing else that brings joy to their hearts apart from that which opposes the blessed God Himself? Nothing else that caused Jesus Christ to suffer to the point of death, sweating drops of blood, and crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?" Beware, for such individuals are reserved for eternal sorrows. If Jesus Christ pronounces those who mourn for sin as blessed, then surely those who rejoice in sin are cursed.
Furthermore, mourning for sin is not synonymous with melancholy.
To mourn and be troubled by one's sin is not to become heavyhearted and melancholic. The weight of sin laid upon the soul is the work of the Spirit of God, who intends to bless this soul for all eternity. Therefore, do not view it as foolish for people to be troubled by their sin. Allow me to provide two examples: one against melancholy and one against folly. Let's begin with melancholy. Who, according to Scripture, had more sorrow for sin than David? Read his Penitential Psalms: Psalm 38, Psalm 51, and Psalm 6. David experienced the burdensome weight of sin and mourned over it. Yet, the text states that David had a ruddy complexion and an active spirit. Now, for folly, consider Psalm 88. I have not come across any psalm that demonstrates the sorrow and affliction of a godly individual more than Psalm 88, penned by Heman. In 1 Kings 4:31,
Heman is depicted by the Holy Spirit as one of the wisest men on earth. Yet, in Psalm 88, we witness him engulfed in sorrow and affliction, particularly due to sin. Therefore, mourning for sin is not folly but blessedness. It is the work of the Spirit of Christ. However, the main focus is to address those who are mourners.
Firstly, let me share with you the comforts that are found in Scripture, providing comfort to your soul. Comfort is available in various ways. Firstly, know that you are dealing with a God of infinite grace and mercy. While you may perceive God as filled with wrath and justice, you are actually engaging with a God of boundless mercy, who delights in showing mercy. You are dealing with a God whose mercy is His greatest glory. His grandest purpose is to magnify His free grace. Therefore, take solace in your mourning for sin. Consider
this: if a child has a loving and merciful father and mother, and the child privately enters a room, wringing their hands, mourning and lamenting over their inability to please their parents, grieving over any actions that may cause them sorrow, it would deeply affect your hearts to witness this display of genuine sorrow and mourning from your child. The compassion you feel towards your child stems from the compassion that the Lord, who is an infinite ocean of mercy, has poured out upon you. Even if you were to gather all the compassion of all the parents in the world, it would be nothing more than a drop compared to the infinite ocean of God's mercy. Therefore, the Lord regards your mourning and your inability to do more to please Him, acknowledging that your actions cause Him grief. He sees your mourning, holds His bottle, and every tear shed in your mourning for sin is collected in God's bottle.
Secondly, know that you are dealing with God in a covenant of grace.
If you were to approach God solely as the Creator and yourself as a creature, in the context of the covenant of works, you would be undone, and all your mourning would be in vain. Even if you were to wail for your sin throughout your days, God would pay no heed.
However, you are dealing with God in the covenant of grace, which He has established with poor sinners through Jesus Christ. In this covenant, your mourning for sin is accepted. When you come into the presence of God, burdened by the guilt of your sin and considering His holiness and righteousness, little comfort may be found. However, when you approach God through the mediation of His Son, and in the context of the covenant of grace, you will grasp the true meaning of this covenant. The Lord has set apart a people for Himself, not dealing with them based on their own merits but sending His Son to make satisfaction on their behalf. All God's dealings with them are through His Son, and their approach to God is accepted only through His Son. Understanding this brings great