“Deep Sadness, Eternal Joy”, Obi Abuchi, Thames Valley churches of Christ

05 January 2020

 

Many make new year’s resolutions. What are ours? And are they meaningful?

 

Jesus came to make our lives the fullest they can be, John 10.10

 

It’s all about the kingdom coming (Matt 6.10). How can our resolutions advance the kingdom?

 

The theme verse for today is, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4 NIV11)

 

In what way is it a blessing to mourn? Why did Jesus say this? Living life to the full contains a paradox. A full life, a blessed life includes mourning. The blessing comes only to those who mourn.

 

What kind of mourning? Proper mourning, not self-indulgent moaning! Instead, over our sin, the pain in the world, a soberness about the state of creation. 

 

What struggles have you had recently with pain and suffering? Perhaps that is no bad thing: “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”(Eccl. 7:2 NIV11)

 

If Christians do not mourn, they cannot show compassion to others. 

 

Sorrow over our sin turns us to God: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”(2 Cor. 7:10 NIV11)

 

Godly sorrow comes as we: 

1. See the world as it really is.
2. See ourselves as we really are
3. See God as He really is

 

1. God isn’t in the business of giving us a pain-free life: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) No pain, no growth. 
2. God is in the business of teaching us how to turn our lemons into lemonade: Jesus is our examp[le and inspiration. He makes himself available To help us: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”(Heb. 4:15–16 NIV11); “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”(James 1:2–4 NIV11). “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”(Rom. 8:31–32 NIV11). We need these challenges to experience the fullness of Christ and God. Rom 8.36-37, 38-39; 

 

The Stockdale paradox: not the optimists who survived, but the realists who never gave up hope.

 

The fullest possible life is available, but comes through mourning as much as any other route. 

 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”(2 Cor. 1:3–4 NIV11).

 

3. God is in the business of making all things new. Rev 21.1-3a. 

 

What would the year look like if we mourned - and found the comfort of God available?

 

Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.tvcoc.org. 

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: tvcochrist@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

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