Sessions 2 & 3 Notes Download

Mourning can be understood in various ways. It encompasses the grief and sadness felt from the loss of someone or something deeply cherished. Additionally, it may encompass the sorrow we feel due to the sins of others, our community, and especially our own sins.

1 Thessalonians 4 acknowledges the mourning we endure with the loss of a loved one and states that “you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” Jesus is coming back with the Kingdom of God! God promises us in Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” Our hope provides great comfort, especially in the most difficult times.

Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41-44, and was aware of its sinfulness and impending destruction. He wept over Jerusalem. Paul reproved the Corinthians for not mourning over the sexual immorality that was known and accepted in the church – 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. He warned the Philippians to be aware of those among them that were sinners and did so “weeping”, Philippians 3:18-19. Like the godly men of old, we too should weep more over the evil present in the world. “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law” (Psalm 119:136 ESV).

The context of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 strongly suggests that the mourning primarily pertains to the penitent sinner. The book of James, a similar writing to the Sermon on the Mount, succinctly tells the correct attitude we should have regarding sin and mourning.

James 4:8-10. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable [experience hardship] and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Psalm 32:1-11; 31:10 Sin should burden us to the point of repentance and confession. One of the many great promises written about the Messiah deals with the comfort Jesus brings whenever we mourn properly.

Isaiah 61:1-3. The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of Yahweh and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

1 John 1:6-10 Mourning precedes confession, which leads to forgiveness and then cleansing. If sin does not cause regret, if it does not bother us, dangerous is our situation, and the possibility of change is dismal.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Highlights that worldly sorrow, characterized by sin-consciousness, guilt, and condemnation, does not lead to freedom but rather to deeper darkness. In contrast, genuine mourning brings about a transformation away from sin and into a restored, joyful relationship with God. Godly sorrow leads to the following actions.

2 Corinthians 7:11. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Earnestness is diligence, intense effort, serious attention to our thoughts, words, and actions plus renewing the mind and living for God. Walking in darkness, we become lazy, careless, not considering our thoughts, words, or actions. We grow indifferent and thoughtless toward God and the things of God. Indifference to sin is lethal.

Vindication or Clearing entails fully embracing the responsibility of the sin with a strong determination to rectify the harm caused by it. This clearing may include making amends with others whenever possible. Walking in darkness, we rationalize our sin by blaming others, circumstances, or situations plus dismiss it as not being that significant — “no big deal.” We live with sin and do not care enough to change. Indignation is a righteous anger directed at our own sinful behavior, not at God, the devil, or others. When we walk in darkness, we become passive and accepting of sin.

Fear of God When God is at the forefront of our minds, honoring and worshipping Him becomes natural. We also become mindful of His thoughts about us. Walking in darkness, our focus shifts to ourselves and worldly matters, causing our thoughts of God to fade. As a result, our attitude of reverence and worship diminishes because we forget Him.

Longing or Vehement Desire is a powerful, relentless force that is deeply felt, an urgent, passionate hunger for God and the things of God. Walking in darkness fosters a hunger for and involvement in worldly matters. Lust, selfishness, and worldly desires then replace the longing for God.

Zeal is to be hot, fervent, on fire for God. It is to have enthusiasm, fervor, passion, ardent and active interest. Walking in darkness, life becomes humdrum, complacent. Time and life slip away with no urgency pertaining to godly living. We have no fire for godly living.

Avenging of Wrong is to make right or just what was wronged while sinning. Walking in darkness, we do not care that evil has its way of ruining our lives and ill-affecting those who love us.

If you have difficulty relating to the above, ask God for help as David did in Psalm 25:4-9 and 51:1-12.

Psalm 103:8-12 God’s forgiveness extends infinitely. He removes our sins from us completely, putting them at an eternal distance. It’s not a temporary relocation; our wrongdoings are gone forever. 2 Samuel 12:13; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:19

David (2 Samuel 24:10), Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12-13), Peter (Acts 4:8-13) and Paul (1 Timothy 1:12-17) are examples of our merciful, gracious, and forgiving God. Judas (John 20:19-27; Acts 1:18) could not accept forgiveness.

Romans 6:15 and 16, 20 and 21 God’s forgiveness is readily available; however, forgiveness should never be used as a license to sin. How foolish! What is the fruit of sin? Why would we who are free want back into the bondage of sin? The life with God is so far superior to a life of sin!