August 3, 2008
“The End of Sorrow”
Revelation 21:4
Our text today is only one verse, yet when you consider its subject matter the end of sorrow, death and pain, you realize it is a verse that covers a lot of ground, maybe even too much for just one sermon? So while I will touch on the very large issues of death and pain, I will focus my preaching this morning on the issue of SORROW and its end!
I. Sorrow, death and pain are usually misunderstood by the ungodly world –
1. These all have the same root cause, “sin” yet the world strives to separate the cause from the effect –
A. Death and pain are taught to be just “natural” unavoidable
B. Even activities such as sexual sin, which has definite undeniable consequences: AIDS, STDs, the world tries to deny the root cause is moral.
2. The world often rails against God because of such pains, as if they were not deserved – Revelation 16:9-11; Lamentations 3:37-39
II. Sorrow, death and pain should be UNDERSTOOD by Christians –
1. These are the consequences of sin – Genesis 3:16-19
2. God uses these things to help our repentance – Lamentation 3:37-39
“God whispers in our pleasures but shouts in our pains” C.S. Lewis
3. He disciplines us as a Father – Hebrews 12:3-11
A. Notice too Hebrews 12:1-2 Though Christ was a sinless Son, He endured great pain, sorrow and even death to gain victory over sin for us – Isaiah 53
B. He is even said to “be sin”- 2 Corinthians 5:21
4. God uses our pains and sorrows to refine, perfect us and make us more Christ-like! – Job 23:10; James 1:2-5; Romans 8:28-29
III. Therefore, though it is unknown to the ungodly world there is a blessing connected to mourning, sorrow – Matthew 5:4; Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
1. Sin is our great spiritual disease: pain, sorrow and even death are merely its symptoms – Romans 6:23
A. Sin is hostility toward God – Romans 8:6-8
B. Sin separates us from God – Genesis 3:23-24
C. Sin puts us in league with the Devil – John 8:44; James 4:7-8
2. Satan is the GREAT SPIRITUAL QUACK, he would counsel us not to avoid sin but enjoy it –
A. He promotes its pleasures - Hebrews 11:24-25
B. He tempts us to presume upon God’s mercies – Romans 6:1-2; Genesis 3:1-4
C. He would tempt us to delay true repentance – 2 Corinthians 6:2
D. His goal is to kill and destroy – John 10:10-11
3. Jesus Christ is the true GREAT PHYSICIAN – Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32
A. He is a wonderful counselor – Isaiah 9:6
B. He has accomplished many healings – John 9:1-7; Mark 2:1-12; John 5:1-9; Luke 6:6-11; Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 17:11-19; Mark 7:31-37; Matthew 9:32-33; Luke 22:50-51; John 11
C. Yet, He cures not only symptoms but sin itself – Isaiah 1:18; Mark 2:7-13
D. He spared no expense in the treatment – Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 1:18; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26
4. Therefore, we should follow our Good Doctor’s Orders “Mourn” over sin and you will be comforted – Matthew 5:4
1. Solomon agrees this is a heart healthy thing to do – Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
2. Right now God gathers our tears – Psalm 56:8-9
3. One day God will dry them all – Revelation 21:4
4. Note: three phrases / words describe sorrow in this verse, along with death and pain, all will be gone in the New Heaven and New Earth / this is the ultimate COMFORT promised to those who mourn – Luke 6:21 & 26
