Happy Are the Sad B

You are looking for rest and leisure heavily unless you feel your sin elicits bending your back and weighing you down and then you come and you find rest, carrying on my back. The standards of God's commandments are using for her to. Ship or as autumn follows summer. In other words, morning is a predictable normal part of life. Thankfully, God's word seems to speak even more powerfully in times of loss, so when the Bible says blessed are those who mourn, is that what is talking about an affirmation that God's going to comfort you and bless you when something really bad happens to you, consider that now, as John MacArthur looks again at the blessed are statements or the Beatitudes found in the sermon on the mount with the study simply called the Beatitudes. Here's John. Matthew chapter 5 in verse four says blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Happy are the sad we never thought that was true, comforted the mourners. That's contrary to everything we know the whole structure of our life. The pleasure madness. The amusement park mentality, the entertainment media. The constant thrillseeking the money and the energy in the time and the enthusiasm expended in living it up are an expression of the world's desire to avoid the morning and to avoid the sorrow and to avoid the pain. But Jesus said happy are the sad, happy are those that mourn you say will John what in the world is this me. First of all, what is it mean blessed or happy Makati us are those that mourn just what kind of morning is Jesus talking about what is he mean when he says blessed are they that mourn is not talking about the sorrow of the world, whether licit or illicit. It is not all it is talking about a godly sorrow that is very different godly sorrow is linked to repentance and repentance is linked to sin. The verb here is the present tense, confusing tests, continuous action, the ones who are continually morning are the ones continually being comforted Luther in his 95 thesis said that our entire life is a continuous act of repentance and contrition. David cried out. Psalm 38 for my iniquities are gone over my head like a heavy burden. They are too heavy for me. It was a way of life. He just faced a sin is a reality all through his life. You know something in all of the New Testament we find so much about Jesus. But one thing we never see Jesus doing the whole New Testament account is laugh never left. Why don't know if he did laugh or not, but it isn't record hard for me to imagine that he had much to laugh about.

He was hungry was angry was thirsty but never says he laughed and that such a part of human emotion but does say he went.

He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. I think we left. We have been sucked into an entertainment thrillseeking pleasure man silly world of fools and jesters and comedians. Some of them even trying to ply their trade in the church. That's what it means. You understand I don't see what it means to more over your sin was a result of the second question, say so what's a guy get me on mourn around move around. Sorry for my sin when I get comfort, comfort, mourners are not blessed because they mourn more as a best fit blessed because the comfort you know morning don't get comfort you just try to hide your guilt and it eats away there's no happiness in the sorrow of the world because it can't be comforted by the way they use the emphatic pronoun Altoid here, which means blessed are they who continue to mourn for they alone shall be comforted is only the mourners who know the comfort of God's mourn for sin to know what it is that other tears drive by the loving hand of Jesus Christ. They shall be comforted to allow for what you get, the Paraclete, the one called alongside to help one that Jesus referred to the comforter.

By the way the Bible tells us God is comforter Psalm 30, verse five Psalm 50 verse 15 Isaiah 55, six and seven Micah 718 to 20, and on and on and on. Talks about the comfort that God gives us he helps us he hears our cries. He meets our need is always there beseeching and admonishing a consoling and sympathizing and encouraging and strengthening and forgiving and restoring and that adds up the comfort as our morning rises to the throne of God. His unsurpassed and matchless comfort descendents from him by Christ to us. God is a God of all comfort. The Bible six and did you know who the comforter was the first comforter was Jesus because he said when I go away. I'll send another what comforter he was the first God, the God of all comfort. Christ, the first Paraclete called alongside to help in the Holy Spirit, followed up on the work God is a God of comfort.

Christ is a Christ of comfort. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of comfort. The spirit is the comforter.

When Christ was on the earth. He was the comforter. By the way, the word of God is a comforter. Did you know that the Bible is a comforter set Romans chapter 15 of verse four, whatever things were written in earlier times were written for our learning, that we through patience and listen to this phrase and comfort of the Scripture.

Why was it written to comfort us because it tells us about God's love and it tells us about his forgiveness and it tells us about his help and it tells us about his encouragement and his presence in all of those things.

So we would say that the subjective work of the Holy Spirit comforts us in the Scripture comforts us in all types of males we comfort each other no, I love to hear the apostle Paul when he says I was comforted in the coming of so-and-so as we deal with our sin. God comforts by the inside work in the spirit by the work of the word by the Ministry of other believers and when we are comforted, then we are happy and beloved, I don't believe this is the future tense thing completely. I don't believe just saying well gutted out folks because in the kingdom you get comfort. That's what he said. I think the connection here and you can do some studying that in the verse itself in detail. In the Greek and the implication here is that comfort runs alongside of morning. As long as you will continue to mourn. You will continue to be comfort is the now concept, or there's a final aspect sure the final aspect will go into the eternal kingdom. Revelation 21 forces and God shall wipe away what all tears from their and there shall be no more sorrow or crying, either shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away.

But that's future as a present tense happiness comes to sad people, not because they're sad, but because their sadness leads to comfort, I love what Jesus said in Matthew 1128 coming to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I give you risk you know something you not to come looking for rest unless you know you got a load right. Unless you are heavy laden, unless you feel your sin unless it's bending your back and weighing it down and then you come and you find were asked. He takes away your heavy load, and gives you his yoke which is easy in his burden, which is light was carrying on my back.

The standards of God and the commandments of Christ is an easy burden compared to carrying the weight of my sinfulness.

Comfort comfort for as long as we mourn as long as we confess sin, love, it comes down to that lesson as you confess your sin day after day after day before the Lord he gives you comfort.

He gives you comfort and in that comfort comes to happiness and then you can smile and then you can laugh and then you can rejoin say what I now know what it is. It's to mourn over sin. I know the result will be comforted and in the comfort comes. Happiness amassed 1/3 question how can I become a mourner. How can you become a more of this is our closing two questions I want you to think how can you become a Mormon first eliminate the hindrances eliminate the hindrances say John what you mean. I mean that most of us have hindrances to really realizing sin single. These are the things that make our heart heart. These are the things that make us past feeling. These are the things that make us resist the spirit that make us insensible a stony heart just doesn't mourn its void of grace up the plow of God can't break it up. It just treasures up wrath against the day of wrath. Get rid of the guy get rid of that stony civil what are those things that make the heart stony me give you a strictly peer of the hindrances to morning. These are the things that make the heart stony one love of sin was if you love your sin, you will freeze your heart into in penitence, you will petrified your heart.

If he loves. Second, despair. Despair.

Despair says God can forgive this it undervalues God's power. It minimizes the blood of Christ.

It devalues God's grace. It is drawing God down from the reality of Jeremiah 1812 they said there is no and so we will walk after our own devices and we will everyone do the imagination of his heart.

In other words, God can't do anything about us anyway will be on. So let's go with that is the language of despair and despair hides mercy behind ignorance. It hides grace behind doubt listen, I don't care how bad it is. I don't care how you will you are God's graces able to reach change the hindrances to morning's love of sin and the other is despair that wants to hide God's mercy behind a cloud of death. Third conceit. Another hindrance to morning is conceit and that says well I'm not that bad you don't know me if you think I should get sad about what I am I more fact I'm pretty good. This is a foolish doctor treating a deadly disease if it was a cold person of Jesus Christ had to shed his blood and died across for your sin, your bad, your real bad so my by the way, if you think you're not bad. You're worse than everybody else because that's the worst sin of all.

So, love of sin, despair and conceited hindrances so as presumption number four. Your presumption is a cheap grace while I one time that I want Jesus in my heart.

I went through the deal with down the aisle. I got baptized will I do worry about I just go ahead and do whatever I want into the right I don't need to confess my sin on get upset about things like just take Jesus in your cleaned up Isaiah 50 5/7 is what the wicked for sake his way and returned to the Lord and he will have mercy on him and he will abundantly pardon and if the wicked does not, for sake his way there is reason to believe that he has got any part don't you ever presume there is no such thing as cheap grace. No license so love of sin. Despair can see presumption number five.

Another thing that hinders being a mourner's procrastination.

Well I would have to get around to doing these days and had to get a good look at my sin and really get my act together they were know some might be too late. James 414 says don't you know that your life is a vapor that appears for a little time and vanishes away before you start talking about tomorrow.

You better realize it will be a tomorrow. Don't be a fool. Listen, the sooner the disease is dealt with. The sooner the comfort comes in with it the blessedness and if you never deal with it in time to spend eternity without God will put it off well. What are the hindrances love of sin. Despair can see presumption procrastination will add one more laughter. Laughter sweeping by that I mean that there are some people who just don't want to deal realistically with life. They just want to laugh all the time. It's just one big party and as long as they can keep the party going on never have to face the issue.

Listen to this Amos 65 he talks about these unrighteous people. He says it's really a wool wool to them the chance to the sound of the heart and invent to themselves to instruments of music like David the drink wine in bowls.

In other words, a compass and enough think I have a bowl of it and the anoint themselves with the chief appointments but they are not received for the affliction of Joseph. They shall go captive with the first the go Fools that laugh when there's no cause for laughter is no place for left the reason for this should be in sorrow in Job 30 and 31. Again, this hindrances indicated. My harp is turned to morning and my flute into the voice of them that we in other words, you know, I will is is mad about parties and use it. You know, one of the first things God is going to do when the whole thing comes down the tribulation is is shut off all music. Did you know that Revelation 18 all musics going to stop stand around facing reality. Turn off the radio once in a while help you realize what's really going on inside of you will love of sin. Despair can see, presumption, procrastination, laughter, these are hindrances disabled John how to get rid of the hindrance.

Well, one way is to look at the cross.

If you're playing around with all these ditties and you don't understand the significance of the cross you understand what Christ did, Christina Rossetti wrote this milestone and not a sheep that I can stand oh Christ beneath.

I crossed a number drop by drop by blood slow loss and yet not we not so those women love do with exceeding grief lamented the not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly. Not so the thief was moved. Not so the sun and moon which their faces in a starless sky of horror of great darkness and brought noon. I only I yet give not or would seek thy sheep true shepherd of the flock greater than Moses turn and once more and see my rock. Listen if you got hindrances in the way.

Take a look at the cross a good look see how much you need Jesus Christ how much you need to face your sin. Look what it cost so first remove the hindrances second study sin in the Scripture study. David said my sin is ever before me study David study. Isaiah said all woe is me from an unclean man I'd well miss the people of unclean lips study. Jeremiah wept over sin study Peter who said the part for me. I'm a sinful man study Paulison on the chief of sinners and listen to them talk about their sinfulness and then when you compared yourself with the greatest of men who ever lived party convince yourself you're not a sinner.

Sin tramples on God's laws since lights is love agrees to spirits Burns is blessedness. Sin affects us drastically. It makes us naked. It makes us impure. It robs our robe in our crown. It spoils our glorious leases and filthy rags and filthy garments made in God's image, we become like beasts that perish eliminate the Hendrickson study. See third. Pray for a contrite heart after all. Only God can do that and he will not turn down one who really asks so what is it mean it means to mourn for sin were the results comfort and happiness, how can I be a mourner remove the hindrances study the Scripture and pray. In conclusion, how can I know if I mourner. How can I know when I get there very simple right ask yourself if you're sensitive to sin. I how he reacts to laugh at dealer passed by.

You take pleasure in some of your doing some of your living all kinds. You never deal with it maybe. Maybe it's the sin of it in an immoral or maybe it's a sin in your business was dishonesty. Maybe it's failure.

Pray it's fair to think good thoughts for you to be loving. Maybe it's who knows what.

How do you react to it. Do you mourn over your sin we go further. I believe if your true morning will not only mourn over your sin but you want over the sins of the world, you know, I see Jeremiah. Jeremiah cried and he said oh my head were a fountain of waters like we believe you see Jeremiah, we want product to cry about these people. These people are sinful people in their these people to be charged. Did you feel that way about other people sin.

Jesus sits atop Mount looks down on Jerusalem and says he went so Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I would gather the as a hen gathers her brood. But you would not. It wasn't weeping over himself is weeping over them. You see, Ezekiel and in you must sees EQ weeping in chapter 9 the whole of nine and 10. You can look at the 94 Lord set on him go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst of you go find the mourners you will find the people cry for their brothers and sister and saw that great 119 that long Psalm in verse 136 rivers of water run down mine eyes because they keep not thy loss is the sum you weep like that is your heart literally broken when God's heart you say with David in Psalm 69 zeal for God houses eat me up the reproaches of fallen you were falling on me. I cry when you cry. Lamentations 116 Jeremiah says for these things I we mine. I mine I see the people of God turning from. I mean do you really weep over your sin of the sins of things around if you're a mourner you do. I'm not talking about some outward disfiguring of your face like the phony Pharisees in Matthew six. Fixed up the outside midmorning the inside. I'm not talking about the phony morning of Saul in first Samuel 15 says and then he whispers to Sam about Ari before the people so I don't mess up my are you sensitive to sin, and the second way to know if you're mourners you have a sense of God's forgiveness. You know joy in your life, you know, real peace real happiness real comfort comes to a forgiven, cleansed and purified life. I hope your mourner because I want you to be comforted. I want you to be happy. So is God.

Let's pray father we just thank you so much for great time. How rich, how deep, fulfilling these great truths bless every life here. Lord help me to be a mourner. I want to be the kind of person you want me to be. I want to hurt when you hurt I want to be sensitive to my own sin and oh God, I want to have your heart for the sins around the world sins among the brother sins of those who don't name your name even may I ever be grieved was never let me get cold there. Let me get callous so that I'm not sensitive help me to fight for your honor with great zeal to defend your righteousness and when I break it or anyone else breaks my heart be in English then and then alone will I know the great happiness you want to give meet every need father wherever we might whatever place in relationship to you. Bring us to that place where you pricing your listening to John MacArthur here on grace to you. John is Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary. Today's lesson showed you that finding enduring peace and joy means first understanding what it means to mourn over your sin. John calls our current study, the Beatitudes well. Still thinking about the focus of today's lesson the blessing that comes when we mourn over our sin. We received a letter recently.

That is a great illustration of that. John, you have a letter in front of you share it with our listeners. Yeah, thank you Phil. This letter comes from a man named Brian, and it's self-explanatory. He writes I feel the need to write to you and tell you how much your ministry has meant to me and how God has used it in my life I amateur motor coach driver.

I spent many hours on the road some months ago, God laid it on my heart to return to church. I started having my devotions by using resources from and listening to Ligon near ministries. One day I heard you preaching at the legionnaire conference. Ever since that day I have listened to you because the nature of my job. I'm able to listen to four or five of your sermons a day on one of those days when I was driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas you were with me the whole trip you were preaching and the Holy Spirit was convicting me of sin. Therefore, I was driving with 45 people behind me and tears of conviction streaming down my face. I'm sure it was nerve-racking for my clients. When we stopped for lunch.

I stayed behind and prayed for forgiveness.

I want you and all those involved with your ministry to know that God is use grace to you to transform my life since I began listening to Grace to you have been committed to my local church. My wife and I plan on becoming members if were not for the combination of your careful exposition of God's word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I would not of found my home church now my life is consumed by worshiping God in a way that he finds acceptable.

I'm eternally indebted to your ministry.

Thank you for your obedience to God and your faithfulness to his word.

Signed Bryan's a great letter. Thank you so much Brian for sharing that with us and we believe that we proclaim the truth and the Lord takes it to the hearts of those that he he desires to touch and you were one of those in there to give us the. The insight and what the Lord is doing in your life and say thanks means the world to us. We share that note with the rest of you radio listeners because when you support grace to you. You are reaching out to people like Brian, you are reaching countless people tens of thousands of people who need the truth, you need the gospel believers even who need spiritual nourishment and you strengthen them as they minister to their their parents, their children, their friends and serve the body of Christ. So join us and not only in listening to Grace to you, but in praying that God's truth will have free course as the apostle Paul put it, and pray as well that that it will find its way into the hearts of many people who will be transformed by its power, right, and we are not pretending when we say your prayers are really the most important thing you can give us. If you like Brian have benefited from John's teaching. We'd love to hear your story as well. When you have time to jettison note and send it our way. You can email your feedback to letters@tty.org that's letters@GT Y.Ward or drop a note in the mail to Grace to you. Box 4000 panorama city, CA 91412 and be sure to visit TTY.org where you'll find numerous ways to take in John MacArthur's verse by verse teaching you can listen to radio broadcasts that you may have missed. You can watch grace to you on television and you can search John's entire sermon archive ID book of the Bible or by topic.

That's 3500 sermon from 51 years of John's pulpit ministry, all free to download or you can read them in transcript format as well. You can also purchase a variety Bible study tools, including the MacArthur study Bible, MacArthur New Testament commentary series or John's new book. Only Jesus all of that and more is available at TTY.Ward. That's our website one more time. TTY.org now for John MacArthur and the entire staff on Phil Johnson with a question for you.

How can you know genuine unshakable happiness even in life's toughest times.

John answers that question tomorrow when he continues his study of the Beatitudes here for the next half hour of unleashing God's truth one verse at a time recently