SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
(Matthew 5:4) "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
(Isaiah 61:1) "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted."
(John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just (righteous) to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(Psalms 51:10-13) (10) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (11) "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." (12) "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit." (13) "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Dear reader, many of us have grieved more than once over losing a job or a relationship gone sour. Some people have grieved because of a health problem that limited their ability to live an everyday life, which was not only placing stress on their lives but also causing stress upon their loved ones to change their plans to take care of them.
Beloved, did you know that many Christian parents are in grief over the rebellion of unruly teens who seem to know more than they do, especially when the computer can be found in most homes that, left unsupervised, provides an open door for evil people to indoctrinate our youth?
Dear reader, did you know that more and more people are taking their lives today because they have run out of reasons to live?
Beloved, how do you conduct a funeral eulogy in front of parents who have suffered the loss of a young child who, because of being bullied or mistreated by others, ran out of reasons to live and took their own life?
Saints, there are many today who believe that there is no hope for someone who has taken their own life but is beloved; I have to disagree, for the question would be, "Were they in their right mind, and can someone in their right mind, take their own life" knowing that they will be going out into an eternity that they are not prepared for?
Church, God is a merciful God, and all we can do is be there to mourn with the parents. Let me stress that, beloved, we are not there to have the answers but to comfort and mourn with the family for their loss, for our very presence will speak more comfort than any words we can talk, especially in a time such as this,
Beloved Saints, we can look back at the sermon on the mount found in Matthew, the fifth chapter preached by the preacher of all preachers, and get some insight that can bring hope to a world in constant change looking for answers.
Church, the Lord Jesus in this chapter has some good news as he preaches to the masses on this Galilean hillside, and that good news is that "Jesus" came to heal the broken in heart.
WHAT IS GODLY SORROW?
Beloved reader, we just explored the characteristics of a person exploiting worldly sorrow, which shows that they are not sorry for committing a crime but are sad that they got caught while in the act and must pay the penalty associated with that crime, which could be incarceration or in some crimes, it could require the penalty of death.
Dear reader, “The word states in (Proverbs 16:25) “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death.”
Beloved, growing up as a young teen, and like most teenagers, I experimented with drugs and booze, causing me to be in and out of trouble.
Beloved, my dad and mom, being encouraged by our family physician, began making plans to send me to a psychiatrist, but I would have no part of it because I knew people who had been sent to these head shrinks, and they seemed like they were in their little world.
Dear reader, as a young teen, I would not see someone who listened to people’s problems all day because that alone would show it taking a toll on the human mind.
Saints, to have someone reflect on my early childhood would bring back way too many bad memories for me, and from what my friends told me about their visits, it made me feel uncomfortable even to consider that option.
Beloved, I remember asking some of my friends concerning their recent sessions with a psychiatrist if they feel like they are getting the help they need, and I would usually receive different replies. Still, beloved, one reply got to me: one of my friends stated that before they decided to see their psychiatrist, they did not want anyone looking at them or asking them simple questions.
Saints, did you know that this emotional behavior is expected in the day we live in, especially with all the daily pressures of life?
Dear reader, did you know that the human personality is profound and beyond our imagination, and these professionally trained doctors are sometimes needed to help one confront things the patient is running away from but beloved? The real problem is a problem of the heart.
Saints, sometimes what we think is helpful isn’t helpful because it is not dealing with the real issue, and that underlying real problem is sin.
Beloved, because of the fall of Adam, sin entered the world and separated man from his fellowship with his creator. God says there is no good, and man’s heart is deceitful and continually evil. (Jeremiah 17:9)
Dear reader, the law was given by Moses to reveal to man that God is Holy and perfect, thus revealing that man born in sin cannot approach a holy, perfect God in his sinful condition.
Beloved reader, the law diagnoses this sinful state of man and reveals that to be accepted by a perfect Creator, sinful man must have a new heart.
Beloved, under the law, an innocent lamb or dove must give up its life as a sacrifice to abstain from God's judgment on sin; however beloved, this would only prolong God's judgment.
Dear reader, did you know that God's most incredible creation, which is the man to be redeemed from the fall of Adam, required God to sacrifice his only begotten Son to bridge the gap for man to be declared righteous in his presence?
Beloved, God made an Everlasting covenant with his Son when he raised his Son Jesus from the dead and set him over all things to be the head of his church, his body.
Dear reader, God made a way through the death, burial, and resurrection of his Son for man to receive a free pardon for his sin.
Beloved reader, the scriptures declare that Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, and this beloved is called grace, which we could never earn on our own merits. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Beloved, Grace came about through the everlasting covenant God made with his Son, which satisfied his wrath toward sin. Because of this unmerited favor from heaven, man can now accept this free pardon and get a new heart that allows him to communicate with his creator again.
Dear reader, once man receives this pardon and Christ into his heart, he can live a God-centered life.
Beloved reader, Jesus declared in (John 10:10) that he came to give life and that they can have it more abundantly. In other words, he came and gave his life that we may have eternal life, which is a better life than we could ever imagine here and in the world to come, for beloved, Jesus gave this promise as He spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd.
Beloved, it is only as we seek to follow God’s direction that we will bring glory to God and know the abundant life Jesus promised to give, and the happiest people are those who know this abundant life.
Saints, we now have Godly sorrow and mourn because of our sin, and we no longer think of self and its selfish desires because we discovered that God has a plan for our life and is busy in and behind the scenes working to make our life prosper.
Dear reader, the law diagnosed our sin problem but could not give us a new heart. But God's amazing grace made way for us to receive a new heart and introduce us to the one who donated our new heart, and that is our savior.
Beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ not only gives us a new heart but now comes to live in the life of the believer, fulfilling the scripture found in (Galatians 4:6) "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our new heart crying Abba Father."
Beloved reader, this is why a vastly grown man will cry like a baby when they sense the presence of God's wonderful Spirit, for he realizes that they are no longer their own but have made themselves available for the work of God that he may leave his signature through them to future generations.
Beloved, God-centered people read their bible and pray daily, for their mind is upon seeing the kingdom of God flourish, for they are not concerned about satisfying themselves but living a life of holiness and consecration to the Lord.
Dear Saints and fellow peers, people with Godly sorrow refuse to give in to the flesh and its fleshly desires but attempt to crucify the flesh by walking in the spirit with prayer and dedication.
Beloved, God-centered people realize that this world is not their home and that the world’s view of life is different from theirs because of their new heart.
The bottom line is that my heart is compassionate because of Christ in me, the hope of glory. I am not my own; therefore, pride and jealousy have no place in my God-centered life.
Beloved, did you know that a God-centered person has a tender heart full of love and may sometimes show emotion by crying?
Dear reader, this is not a weakness but the outward sign of a tender heart; therefore, beloved, let us not be ruled or controlled by our senses but be thankful for a new tender heart that desires others to enjoy the freedom in Christ that we sometimes take for granted.
(Matthew 12:35) “ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things."
WHAT IS WORLDLY SORROW?
Dear readers, worldly sorrow is self-centered and revolves around the pain sin causes oneself rather than the offense and dishonor it causes to God. Those who experience worldly sorrow are only sorry for getting caught rather than feeling genuine remorse for the harm they have caused to others.
Beloved, did you know that temporary feelings of sadness in the world are often a result of bad behavior? People walking in worldly sorrow are not sorry for their actions or their wrongs to others but tend to act out a short-lived reaction from embarrassment or fear rather than a genuine awareness of wrongdoing, and this worldly version of sorrow tends to fade away before any significant change occurs.
The sorrow that people experience in the world does not stem from a genuine understanding of sin or remorse for having offended God. It does not lead one to repentance or to seek comfort from God. Instead, the sorrow of those who have not been spiritually transformed is caused by temporal losses, which lead to frustration and despair.
These individuals have looked to the world for happiness, but unfortunately, the world has failed to deliver. They have tried to find satisfaction in the world's broken systems, only to be disappointed. Their ambitions have been driven by opposing forces such as pride and selfishness, and their reasons for indulging in them are as varied as the flesh's sinful desires.
Their plans and expectations have been frustrated, leading to bitterness and anger, and instead of bringing them closer to God, it fills them with wrath and hatred towards Him. These individuals walking in worldly sorrow seek comfort in the world and avoid profound reflections by drowning themselves in worldly pleasures.
People who experience worldly sorrow bring public disgrace to themselves and their families. Their way of life leads to poverty and hopelessness. They have no remorse for breaking God's law or for their ways causing others to stumble. These wayward people are often angry because they lack the money or health to continue their immoral ways.
Beloved, did you know that the word of God gives us solemn warning that in the last days, people will become more sensual, focused on their five senses and not on the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
People walking in worldly sorrow are usually self-centered individuals concerned only with their selfish desires and often disregard the well-being of others. They often use and mistreat others to get what they want, disregarding the harm they cause.
These self-centered people often live unhappy lives, as their fleshly desires always prompt them to seek more. Sadly, this selfish behavior can also be found in some churches today.
People walking in worldly sorrow, often lack a disciplined prayer life and will want what others have without trying to earn it. This can lead to an enemy spirit of deception, causing them to make selfish decisions that only satisfy their desires.
Dear readers, it does not bother them to cause division among others or spread gossip and slander, even if it harms the reputation of someone they love. When caught up in something, their tears are often insincere, like prisoners who suddenly become religious, but only because they are sorry that they got caught.
GOD FORGIVES REPENTANT SINNERS
Dear readers, the best example of God forgiving repentant sinners can be found in the life of the Psalmist David when confronted by God’s prophet Nathan concerning his sin with Bathsheba, and he realized that he had sinned against God because he was guilty of adultery and murder.
Beloved, David confessed his sin and had a genuinely repentant heart. He listened to the mourning of his heart as he prayed and asked God not to take his Holy Spirit from him.
Dear readers, listen to Psalms 51:10-13) as he asks God to create a clean heart and a right spirit in him, causing God to declare David to be a man after his own heart.
(Psalms 51:10-13) (10) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (11) "Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me." (12) "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit." (13) "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
Dear reader, I feel moved by the spirit of God as I read this Psalm. Two things stand out to me as I think of King David's mindset when he wrote this beautiful prayer to the God who protected him from wild animals while watching over his father's sheep and later when he faced the mighty giant named Goliath.
Verse seven speaks of the hyssop plant, which Moses used to dip in the blood of a sacrificial lamb and place on the doorposts and lintels of the houses. This was done to protect the firstborn of every family from the Angel of death that would pass through the land. The verse states that when the Angel saw the blood, he would "pass over," and the house with the blood would be spared.
Beloved, the same plant, was used to extend vinegar mixed with gall to the Lord Jesus, who was on the cross paying the sinful debt for all humanity. This moves me to repentance, like David, and to mourn before God, asking him to forgive my sins and transgressions so that I can lead sinners to know his ways and become part of the family of God.
We must realize that sin is hated and despised by a Holy God who is perfect in all his ways. At Mount Sinai, we find this sin-hating God shouting that the soul that sins shall surely die. But later, Jesus said that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
The bottom line of this message is that God loves people, and people are essential to him. Therefore, we can take comfort in knowing that the scriptures teach us that those who mourn will be comforted by our wonderful God, who states in his word that the feeling of our infirmities can touch him because he was tempted in all points like us, but without sin.
(Hebrews 4:15-16) (15) "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
"YOUR PRESENCE IS ENOUGH"
Dear readers and fellow Saints, I am writing to address how to conduct ourselves properly when visiting the home or a funeral gathering called the wake of someone who has just passed away.
Beloved, did you know that your presence there is a comfort to the family of the deceased? It lets them know that you care enough to take time out of your busy schedule to be there for them in their hours of grief.
The best advice I can give you is to express your sympathy for the family and not talk too much. You are not there to have the answers but to comfort the family.
If you start trying to come up with reasons and answers concerning what might have happened, you will make them feel inferior to you and start putting ideas in their mind that you are stronger than they are.
In this situation, you can do more harm than good, which could drastically affect the family and loved ones, especially if you are the officiating minister doing the funeral service.
In conducting a funeral service, it is best to speak well about the deceased and begin sharing some of the conversations and good things they may have told you about some of their family members who may be present.
Remember, you are there to celebrate and remember life, and in doing so, you will psychologically cause the family, friends, and loved ones not to see a corpse in front of them. But someone who has impacted their life and cared for them.
This will help speed up the grieving process, which will bring healing to accept that although the person who impacted their lives may be gone, they are in a better place and are now in the hands of a loving and just God who decided to call them home, but not without leaving us the promise that one day they shall rise and be changed when the Lord comes after his church. As the Apostle Paul said in (1 Thessalonians 4:18), "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
The Lord made the promise of that Judean hillside that "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). Though the death of a loved one is commonly the reason for mourning, this beatitude refers to mourning that lies deep within us, gets us in trouble, and is against everything God stands for.
I am referring to the deep cresses of sin that need to be broken up in a hardened, calloused heart that was passed upon all men through the fall of Adam. The Lord Jesus wants us to mourn over our sins and run to him for forgiveness so that we may be comforted by his amazing grace.
When we meet Jesus and receive His grace and forgiveness, we will begin to understand just how sinful we are and realize how desperately we need Him to forgive us and wash us clean with his precious blood.
Beloved, this revelation, which can only come through and by His Holy Spirit, will cause us to mourn over our sins and into God’s comforting arms of forgiveness.
MY CONCLUSION
In Matthew's fifth chapter, Jesus preaches forgiveness and spiritual comfort for those who are genuinely sorry for their sins. This includes those who mourn their sins with Godly sorrow, leading to repentance and salvation. Such mourning reflects genuine sorrow that affects a person's soul as they realize they have sinned against God and deserve punishment.
When we give in to sin, we violate God and should feel guilty and ashamed. Therefore, like King David, we should mourn over our sins and ask for God's forgiveness so that we may be cleansed. As stated in John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The main point of this message is that we must come to God, acknowledge our sins, and confess them to Him. We should not just confess our sins to others, as God already knows what we have done, including the areas in our lives where we struggle. God's word states that our faith moves Him, and when we mourn before Him, we will be comforted.
Therefore, we can either allow the problems around us to change or be moved by compassion to take them to God and allow Him to change them in our favor. We are His children, made in His likeness. A-Men.
International Evangelist
Dr. Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
