THE COMFORT PROMISED TO ALL WHO MOURN
Text: Isaiah 61:1-3
22 April 2007
(I) PROBLEM OF MOURNING
(Reference to mourning)
1. Days of mourning (Isaiah 60:20)
2. All who mourn (Isaiah 61:2, 3)
3. Significance of these references
a) A country that faced utter ruin
b) No suitable comfort found
c) Morning seemed perpetual
(II) PROMISE OF COMFORT
1. Ending of days of mourning
“…the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:20c
2. Era of the Messiah Jesus
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,Because the LORD has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,And the day of vengeance of our God;To comfort all who mourn,To console those who mourn in Zion…” Isaiah 61:1-3
Special Ministry of Comfort to the following:-
a) The poor
b) The broken-hearted
c) The captives
d) The imprisoned
e) The mourning
(III) PERSONAL RESPONSE – EXEMPLIFIED BY ISAIAH
1. Rejoicing in God
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,My soul shall be joyful in my God…” Isaiah 61:10a
2. Rejoicing in the salvation of God
“…He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,And as a bride adorns herself with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10b