Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Matthew 5:4 (NLT) — 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“There is _______________ even in ________________________ because we will experience the ______________, ___________ and __________ of God.”
1. We think __________________ shouldn’t happen to ______ _________________.
Hebrews 11:35–40 (NLT) — 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
2 Timothy 4:18 (NLT) — 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
2. We think ___________ always means ______________ ___ __________________.
James 1:2–4 (NLT) — 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
1 Peter 1:6–7 (NLT) — 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day *when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
3. We think what’s ____________.
Isaiah 55:8–9 (The Living Bible) — 8 This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.
Isaiah 57:1 (NLT) — 1 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) — 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
2 Corinthians 1:8–11 (NLT) — 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
1. _____________ on what’s happening __________, not _______________.
2 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT) — 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
“My pain is either a ________that ___________ me or a __________ that ___________ me.”
2. , God always .
2 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) — 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.
The best predictor of God’s present help is His past faithfulness.
Revelation 21:3–4 (NLT) — 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
3. Rely on _________ ____________________.
2 Corinthians 1:11 (NLT) — 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.