DAY 27

Date: 11-24-2024

Sermon on the Mount

Scripture Matthew 5:10-12

Pray

Read scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

(NIV 1984) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

OVERVIEW of All Beatitudes

The Beatitudes show us, sequentially, the true character of a true Christian. 

OVERVIEW of This Beatitude

Growing in Christlikeness results in comfort peace and joy … and will eventually lead to being persecuted.

The MAIN POINT

Being persecuted because of our faith in Christ is not a sign that we are doing something wrong, but, rather, that we are doing something RIGHT!

Today’s verses:

(NIV 1984) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward (mentioned 7x’s in chapter 6!) in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Q:  What do you think the word “persecuted” or “persecuted” means?

Definition of persecute:

1: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict

specifically  : to cause to suffer because of belief

2: to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (such as attacks, pleas, or importunities):   (Merriam-Webster)

to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of theirrace, religion, or political beliefs, or to annoy someone by refusing to leavethem alone: (Cambridge Dictionary)

Definition of Righteousness:

acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin. (Merriam-Webster)

The Got Questions website says, “Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness. … The Greek New Testament word for “righteousness” primarily describes conduct in relation to others, especially with regards to the rights of others in business, in legal matters, and beginning with relationship to God.”

Q: Does this Beatitude, about being persecuted, sound different than the other Beatitudes? Does it sound like we a doing something wrong? Like we are being punished?

A: 

APPLICATION:

See James 1:2-4; 12

(NIV 1984) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

(NIV 1984) 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Before we turn to pg. 60 in our books, let’s look at the perimeters for this Beatitude.

1. There is a sense in which this Beatitude, like all the ones before it, is a promise.  IF we are persecuted BECAUSE of righteousness or because of His name, then we WILL be blessed. Blessing are a promise from God for those who are not ashamed of Christ and who boldly proclaim His name and His truth, bring light into the darkness. Bringing light into darkness WILL, sometimes, have negative reactions for people who love darkness (1 John 3:19-20 – have someone read it)
2. This is conditional in 2 ways.
   1. As a promise (see #1 above)
   2. This particular blessing, for this particular Beatitude, is conditional in that it is not for all persecutions and all sufferings. It is reserved for those Christians who are persecuted for RIGHTEOUSNESS and those who are persecuted because they are unapologetically a Christ follower, because they are a Christian. In other words blessed are those who are persecuted because of His Name. 

———————————————————-

LINK: 

This link is from Colin Smith and the Orchard Church in Arlington Hts. It contains, in the beginning, a good overview of all the Beatidutes, as well as a good illustration of how the Beatitudes work out in our lives at the end of his sermon. 6

———————————————————-

Quotes 

The Beatitudes are the “path” of a Godly life. (Collin Smith)

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

Jesus (Matthew 19:24)

———————————

RELEVANT VERSES

John 15:20

(NIV 1984) 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

2 Tim 3:12

(NIV 1984) 12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”

Acts 22:6-8

(NIV 1984) 6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

8 “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.

1 Peter 4:12-16

(NIV 1984) 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Acts 5 shows the persecution of the Apostles

Acts 8 shows the persecution of the church.

Comfort

2 Cor 4:8-10

(NIV 1984) 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Confidence and Comfort

Read the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3, looking to the 4th man in the furnace.

APPLICATION

What are we to do when we are persecuted?

2 Tim 3:12 says, (NIV) 12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 

Persecution, in my mind, is a form of spiritual warfare, and so, we should become very well aquanted with our spiritual armor found in Eph. 6. We should not be surprised, but prepared. 

1 Peter3:15-16 says, (NIV) 15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

And 1 Cor 4:12 says, (NIV 1984) “when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.”