A Time to Mourn; A Sermon for a Season

There are times and seasons in the life of every individual Christian and in the life of every church. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, 'There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance' (Eccl. 3:1, 4).

Though our scheduled text for today was to be taken from Phil. 4:4 on "Rejoicing!", this is not a time for us to rejoice. To preach this verse under the present circumstances in our church would almost seem to mock the text. Now is not the time to celebrate by donning the robe of the Prodigal. It is a time for wearing a robe of mourning; it is a time for sackcloth and ashes.

Because of the endless grace of God there will be a time for rejoicing, but now is not that time. It is a time for solemn reflection over the destructive nature of sin. This is right for us to do.

Jesus cautions, 'Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep' (Lk. 6:26). Sometimes in the life of the Christian and in the life of the church it is right and appropriate to weep and mourn. Jesus said, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Mt. 5:4). But we would not receive the promised comfort if did not first mourn. I invite you all to join with me in mourning over sin that we might anticipate the comfort of restoration. I look forward one day soon when we will be able to rejoice!