A sermon based on Matthew 5:4-5 by PJ Wenzel, preached on April 30, 2017 at Veritas Tri-Village as part of the "Blessed" series.
1. REVIEW: In the Beatitudes, we’re learning about what it means to be “blessed”. What is the typical way in which the world thinks of blessing? How does scripture speak of blessing? (Leaders: To be blessed is to be the recipient of divine approval and intimacy - not just temporary emotional happiness.)
2. The idea of “mourning” is a powerful one. Jesus knows that we have all experienced this emotion, but how does He redirect this idea? In other words, when He speaks of mourning here, what is He wanting us to mourn over? (Leaders: the context of this passage indicates that mourning over our sin is in view)
3. Despite our mourning, what are some of the ways in which we are comforted right now, and in the future?
4. Can you think of a time, and perhaps share with us, when you were comforted in your own mourning over a loved one? (Leaders: the idea here is to allow some interaction and opening up of past times of difficulty; seeing how ingrained the idea of mourning is to us - we have all mourned. Then to show how seriously we must take our sin, and to approach brokenness with the same care and comfort that Christ has for us - remind them of Hebrews 4:15-16 and what Samuel Rutherford says, “Christ chargeth me to believe his daylight at midnight.”).
5. In verse 5, Jesus says the “meek” will inherit the earth. Meekness is an odd word that we don’t use everyday…so what does it mean? (Leaders: meekness variously defined as “power under control” or “having a right view of oneself” or even closely associated with the biblical idea of spiritual weakness and neediness. It would be a great idea to read 2 Corinthians 12 together and be reminded of God’s power perfecting us in our weakness. Share times of weakness together, and how God’s power has been manifested in and through them. Also, John Newton’s hymn stanzas are below for encouragement).
6. How was meekness displayed in the life of our Lord? Read Philippians 2:7-11 discuss what Christ gave up, how He modeled meekness for us, and how we can follow His example. Similarly, can you think of a time in the life of Jesus when He modeled spiritual mourning? (Leaders: think of how Jesus wept over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41-44, and over the death of Lazarus, John 11:35. Sin had brought about unbelief and death. Discuss how serious this is, and how strongly Jesus felt about what he saw).
John Newton’s two stanzas were used to end the preaching time this week:
Now I despond and mourn no more,
I welcome all I fear'd before
Though weak, I'm strong; though troubled, blessed
For Christ's own pow'r shall on me rest.
My grace would soon exhausted be,
But his is boundless as the sea;
Then let me boast with holy Paul,
That I am nothing, Christ is all.
