LOVE Without Hypocrisy (in the book of Romans) 35 Mourning Rejoicewith those who rejoice; mournwith those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV) [Last week.] [This week.] Rejoicewith those who rejoice; mournwith those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV) But not the way the world does it. BECAUSE THE WORLD'S VALUES ARE THE OPPOSITE OF GOD'S VALUES There are types of joy/sorrow that we cannot share in (though the world will). There are types of joy/sorrow that we must have (though the world won't). IT MUST BE DONE IN A WAY THAT HONORS GOD! iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii If we joined them, we would be joining them in sin. > This would contradict the entire concept of "unhypocritical love." (Romans 12:9-21) MOURNING WE CAN MOURN OVER SOME THINGS THE WORLD ALSO MOURNS OVER. = MATTERS THAT AFFECT ONLY THIS PRESENT LIFE Rejoicewith those who rejoice; mournwith those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV) WHAT SHOULD WE MOURN ABOUT? Unfortunate circumstances and events. EXAMPLE: WHEN FRIENDS WILL NOT BE SEEN AGAIN They weptaloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Acts 20:37-38a (NLT) 1
WE CAN MOURN OVER SOME THINGS THE WORLD ALSO MOURNS OVER. = MATTERS THAT AFFECT ONLY THIS PRESENT LIFE Death. EXAMPLE: THE DEATH OF FRIENDS Dorcas always helped people became sick and died. All the widows were crying... Acts 9:36b, 37a, 39b (GW) Jesus wept. John 11:35 (KJV) Our own sin. EXAMPLE: THE TAX COLLECTOR, ABOUT HIS OWN SINS But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast [in sorrow], saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! Luke 8:13 (WEB) EXAMPLE: UNREPENTANT "CHRISTIANS" AT CORINTH I fear that when I come I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced. 2 Cor. 12:21 (HCSB) EXAMPLE: PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT "KINGDOM-FOCUSED" I say it again with tearsin my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. all they think about is this life here on earth. Philip. 3:18b, 19b (NLT) SUMMARY: MOURNING BECAUSE OF Unfortunate circumstances and events. Death. EXAMPLE: FALSE TEACHERS men will arise and distort the truth... So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:30b, 31 (NIV) THE WORLD MAY MOURN ABOUT THESE BUT THESE AFFECT ONLY THIS PRESENT LIFE. WE MUST ALSO MOURN ABOUT THINGS THAT IMPACT ETERNITY. Our own sins. 2
THE WORLD MAY IMITATE OUR SORROW IN MATTERS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE; BUT FAKE SORROW HAS NO LONG TERM VALUE. EXAMPLE: EVEN JUDAS HAD REMORSE OVER WHAT HE DID BUT NOT GENUINE REPENTANCE. I SEE NOTHING THE WORLD MAY IMPORTANT! IGNORE MATTERS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE. THIS ALSO HAS NO LONG TERM VALUE. EXAMPLE: BEING SORRY WHEN THEIR SIN IS DISCOVERED BUT HAVING NO REPENTANCE ABOUT THE SIN ITSELF. [Judas]was filled with remorse. and went out and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3b, 5b (NLT) I'M SORRY EVERY TIME I GET CAUGHT FOR STEALING! WE HAVE GREATER SORROW THAT YOU REFUSE TO REPENT OF YOUR SIN! EVEN WHEN WE MOURN OVER THE SAME THINGS (such as death and bad circumstances) THERE ARE SOME MAJOR DIFFERENCES! [God's people] OUR MOURNING IS NOT THE SAME IS NOT EQUAL [The world] THEIR MOURNING GOD GIVES HIS PEOPLE HOPE! HE MAKES THEIR MOURNING TEMPORARY. AFTER ALL WE KNOW SOMETHING THE WORLD CAN'T KNOW! And we knowthat in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) BECAUSE OF THIS, WE CAN REMAIN JOYFUL EVEN DURING TRIALS! We may discover that we have a mixture of joy and sorrow! This [salvation] brings you great joy, although you may have to sufferfor a short time in various trials. you rejoicewith an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6, 8b-9(NET) WE CAN REJOICE DURING TRIALS as sorrowfulyet always rejoicing,... 2 Cor. 6:10a (NASB) NOT BECAUSE WE LIKE THE TRIALS, BUT BECAUSE 3
A mixture of joy and sorrow! WE LIKE WHAT GOD IS ACCOMPLISHING THROUGH THE TRIALS! THE JOY IS REAL NO NEED FOR A MASK! WHAT YOU SEE Not only so, but we also rejoicein our sufferings,because we know that sufferingproduces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) NOT THIS! WHAT I AM OTHER POSSIBLE REASONS FOR BEING JOYFUL DURING TRIALS #2 Our trials may actually be a voluntary expression of our love! #1 God may send people to encourage us. FOR JESUS The apostles were happyto have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus. Acts 5:41 (GW) But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, [etc.] so that my joywas greater than ever. 2 Cor. 7:6-7 (NIV) FOR OTHER PEOPLE Now I rejoice in my sufferingson behalf of you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictionsof Christ, on behalf of his body which is the church, Col. 1:24 (LEB) #3 ONE LAST REASON We know the LONG TERM SITUATION! OUR TIME OF JOY WILL COME! Our mourning will come to an end but our joywill remain forever. Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joycomes in the morning. Psalm30:5b (NASB) You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joyin your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm16:11 (NIV) 4
IN CONTRAST The joy of the wicked will come to an end; and they will enter an eternity of mourning that can never go away. The wicked triumph only briefly; the joyof the godless is momentary. For where is the hope of the godless when he is eliminated; when God takes away his life? Job 20:5; 27:8 (ISV) [The angels] will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42 (NIV) Time to prepare for this week's MISSION! SCRIPTURE PRESENTS THESE THINGS AS A MAJOR FOCUS OF MOURNING. SCRIPTURE PRESENTS THESE THINGS AS A MAJOR FOCUS OF MOURNING. MATTERS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE Our own sins. MATTERS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE Our own sins. * ONLY THOSE WHO BELONG TO GOD WILL MOURN ABOUT THESE THINGS * Fakes may have fake mourning, with sinful motives, etc. DO YOU? If we do NOT mourn about these things, then: We do NOT value what God values. We are NOT following Jesus. God does NOT have first place in our lives. Credits (1) SCRIPTURE Scriptures marked "NLT" Scripture quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. (www.newlivingtranslation.com)... mournwith those who mourn. Romans 12:15b (NIV) AT THIS PRESENT TIME, THERE WILL BE REASONS WE NEED TO MOURN WITH EACH OTHER! Therefore Let us do so in a way that honors God! Scriptures marked "NIV" - Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. (www.zondervanbibles.com) Scriptures marked "GW" - Scripture is taken from GOD'S WORD. Copyright 1995 God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked "NASB" - Scriptures quoted from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.lockman.org) Scriptures marked "NET" - Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved. Scriptures marked "LEB" Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. (http://www.lexhamenglishbible.com and http://www.logos.com) Scriptures marked "HCSB" - Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Scriptures marked "ISV" - Scripture taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version. Copyright 1996-forever by The ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission. (https://www.isv.org/bible/) Scriptures marked "KJV" King James Version (public domain). Scriptures marked "WEB" Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (Public Domain). (www.ebible.org) 5
Credits (2) PICTURES (original sources; modifications may have been made) Guy with binoculars By johnny_automatic; [Public domain], at openclipart.org; http://openclipart.org/detail/26611/man-using-binocularsby-johnny_automatic Judas [Public domain]; via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:folio_147v_-_judas_hangs_himself.jpg; cropped Monkey By John Snape (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:see_no_evil,_hear_no_evil,_speak_no_evil.jpg; cropped Theatre masks By Anula Grzesiak (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:zwierciad%c5%82a.jpg Larger clock By gustavorezende; [Public domain]; at openclipart.org; https://openclipart.org/detail/182053/old-alarm-clock Small clocks with bells ringing By Agilight (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:%22%d0%a2%d1%8b%d0%b2%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%bf_%d1%87%d1%83%d 0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B6%D1%8B%D1%8B%D0%BB%D1%8B%D2%A3%D0%B0%D1%80%22._%D0%A 7%D1%83%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BA_15.jpg; cropped Presentation Dennis Hinks 2017. DISCLAIMER: The use of a picture does not imply that the author of that picture agrees with the views of this presentation. Some might agree; some might not. 6
C The people of the world may rejoice now; but in the end, they will have eternal sorrow: Luke 6:25; James 5:1; Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28. MOURNING AND REJOICING; MOURNING BY CHOICE "... mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:14b Yes, there will be times we must mourn. ISSUE C We will mourn for many of the same reasons that the world may mourn (though with a God-honoring perspective). C We will also mourn for things of eternal significance, which the world chooses to ignore. THINGS THAT THE WORLD MAY ALSO MOURN ABOUT (EXAMPLES) C Unpleasant circumstances: friends going away - Acts 20:37-38 (possible reason for 2 Timothy 1:4); persecution - Acts 21:13; a lost blessing (an inheritance forfeited) - Hebrews 12:16-17. C Death: of friends - John 11:35; Acts 9:39; of family - Matthew 2:18; Mark 5:35-39; Luke 7:12-13; 8:49-52; John 11:31, 33. THINGS THAT THE WORLD CHOOSES TO IGNORE (EXAMPLES) C One's own sin: Luke 7:37-38, 44; James 5:1; Matthew 26:75. C The sins of others: 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 12:21; Luke 19:41-44. C False teachers: Philippians 3:18; Acts 20:30-31. THE ISSUE OF "NOW" VS. "LATER" C God's people may mourn now; but in the end, they will have eternal joy: Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:21; Revelation 7:17; 21:4. C God's people have good reasons for joy during times of sorrow: James 1:2-4; Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23; Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 4:13. C We can choose to suffer out of love for Jesus and love for other people: Acts 5:41; 20:19; Colossians 1:24; Hebrews 5:7 (Jesus' example - tears, as he prepared for his death for us). There will be times we must mourn! C But the nature of our mourning will be different from the world's. C The world's mourning will sometimes be short-sighted or even sinful. C Our mourning will be tempered by our long-term and kingdom focus. C Just as with any other aspect of this present life, mourning is not to become the controlling force of our life - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS RELATED TO MOURNING C An example of temporary sorrow (at Jesus' death): John 16:20 (the world had temporary joy); 20:11, 13, 15; Mark 16:10. C There are times when joy should be turned to sorrow, such as when we need to repent of sin: James 4:9. C When God judges sin, the world mourns, but God's people rejoice: (example - God's judgment of the world's evil system) Revelation 18:7-9, 11, 14-15; compared to 18:20. Dennis Hinks 2017; Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. (www.zondervanbibles.com)