“Blessed are the persecuted” The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12 The 8th Beatitude “Blessed are the persecuted”

The Beatitudes Right With God Right With Man Poor in spirit Mourn Meek Hunger / Thirst Right With God Mercy Pure in Heart Peacemakers Persecuted Right With Man

8. How the righteous is received Who are the Righteous ? Right living Beatitude Introduces humility Repentance Meekness Craving for righteousness Mercy Purity of heart Peaceableness I. WHO ARE THE RIGHTEOUS ? A. Each of the preceding beatitudes introduces a characteristic of the righteous person. Righteous means Right Living or living in harmony with God’s will. These beatitudes tell us how to be in a right relation with God and our fellow man. 1. Beatitude Number one introduces humility. 2. Number two penitence 3. Number three meekness. 4. Number four - a craving for righteousness 5. Number five - mercy 6. Number six - purity of heart 7. Number seven – being peace makers B. This last beatitude does not introduce another characteristic: 1. It tells about how the righteous person is going to be received by the world. 2. Often they are rejected and persecuted. 8. How the righteous is received

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt.5:10-12

“In the world you shall have tribulation” Jn.16:33 Persecuted the best Prosecuted the worst Conflict between good and evil, right and wrong “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake” Matt. 5:10 “In the world you shall have tribulation” Jn.16:33 1. This is the last of the beatitudes and it is similar to the first in the reward “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2. Society has always persecuted its best and prosecuted its worst citizens, for refusing to conform to the middle of the road. There is conflict between good and evil, right and wrong, truth and error. 5. The 8th beatitude reminds us that being a Christian in our sinful world will inevitably cost us and bring tribulation. Jesus said in (John 16:33). “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 6. Let us notice: a. The righteous (as described in the first 7 beatitudes) b. The persecution they receive c. Their behavior in persecution. d. Blessings the righteous will receive

Persecution they receive 2 Tim. 3:12 “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” John 15:20 “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” 1 Pet. 4:16 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” II. THE PERSECUTION THEY RECEIVE A. The Bible teaches that persecution is commonplace for God’s people 1. II Tim. 3:12 “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2. This is a spiritual law that is unchangeable - just like the law of gravity. If we follow what God wants, at times we will be treated unfairly 3. Jn. 15:20 Jesus said: “...If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” 4. I Pet. 4:15-16 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” 5. So the Bible clearly says that if we live righteously, right in the eyes of Almighty God, then some form of persecution will come our way

Persecution they receive Prosecuted - action for one guilty of wrong Persecuted - evil to one not guilty of wrong “Persecuted” Defined – (1) to harass or punish - to injure, grieve, cause to suffer because of belief. (2) To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches - pester B. Notice the phrase in our text tonight, “Persecution for righteousness sake” 1. Jesus used the term persecuted not prosecuted. 2. Prosecuted - means the just action which is taken against one who is guilty of wrong doing. 3. Persecuted - means that evil which has been done to one who is not guilty of wrong doing. 4. Those who suffer for their own wrongs are not blessed. a. If we are haughty, selfish, or evil speaking then we may expect others to retaliate against us. b. We can receive no comfort from this beatitude on account of our misconduct or foolish behavior. 5. The blessed have put the kingdom of God First in their life. They suffer because of their righteous Godly living. 6. The word persecuted is defined as: a. “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief” b. “to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities) : to pester” c. So these are the types of persecutions Jesus is referring to that we will have to endure when we live for God

Persecution they receive Why are the righteous persecuted? 1. They are different The world does not like this John 15:19 “you are not of the world” The world loves sin They dislike the godly C. Why are the righteous persecuted? 1. The righteous are different: a. The world dislikes this - Jn. 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” b. Unbelievers do not know Jesus, they do not have a relationship with Him, and because of that they enjoy sinning. (1) They enjoy partaking in as many sins as possible. (2) Sinning in any way to please their desires is what gives them pleasure. (3) Those of the world dislike the godly

Persecution they receive Why are the righteous persecuted? c. Vultures are interesting animals. They do not like sweet smells. Vultures can smell road kill from miles away. They aren’t smart enough to know when something smells terrible, they don’t have a nose for the sweet smells in life like good smelling flowers. They have a natural dislike for sweet smelling things. Likewise, the wicked people who are of the world have a natural dislike for those who are godly. And Jesus told us that this behavior towards His people would be normal

Persecution they receive Why are the righteous persecuted? 2. Rebuke to the unrighteous Matt. 14 – Herod had John beheaded Sinner is enemy of God Trying to get at God Goes after those who follow God John 3:20 2. Another reason the righteous are persecuted is that the righteous are a constant rebuke to the unrighteous a. Matt. 14:1-12 Herod was angry with John and had him beheaded. Why? John told him that it was unlawful for him to be married to his brother’s wife b. The unrighteous do not like it when their actions are shown to be against the commandments of God c. The sinner is an enemy of God and he is trying to fight back against God. d. Since the sinner cannot get at God, he does the next best thing - he goes after those that follow God, and today that is the Christian, that is you and me. We see this all the time in the news media when someone stands up for what is right according to the Bible, they are attacked by ungodly men and women e. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:20

Persecution they receive Why are the righteous persecuted? 3. For Envy Wicked dislike those who do better Genesis 4 - Cain angry with Abel 3. Sometimes the righteous are persecuted because of envy a. The wicked will dislike any person that outshines themselves b. Gen. 4:1-8 Abel was a keeper of sheep, Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?“ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. c. After Cain had that conversation with God he could have chosen to change some things about his life and pleased God. But instead, he was so envious of his brother and the way Able pleased God that it drove him to kill his own brother

Persecution they receive Why are the righteous persecuted? 4. The Righteous interfere Acts 16:16-24 Opposes the barroom – abortion - homosexuality - gambling 4. The righteous are also persecuted because they interfere with the interests of the unrighteous a. Acts 16:16-24 a slave girl possessed with a spirit of a demon brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. Paul said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and commanded them to be beaten with rods. They threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. So here Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail because they interfered with the interest off an unrighteous man. This man owned this slave girl, and he was profiting from her demon possession. b. Today we may receive persecution by interfering with the unrighteous when we stand up for what is right – opposing things such as abortion, homosexuality, gambling, etc. Jesus tells us tonight, don’t be surprised when you are persecuted for righteous sake

Kind of Persecution 1. Physical Murder – Cain killed Abel - 1 Jn.3:12 - John beheaded - Jesus Crucified - Stephen stoned Sold - Joseph’s brothers sold him Prison – Joseph - for righteousness - Peter and John Paul was persecuted – 2 Cor.11:23-27 D. The Bible even gives us examples of what kind of the persecution the righteous can face: 1. Physical - many are victims of this physical violence. a. Abel was killed by his brother - 1 John 3:12 “not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.” b. Joseph was persecuted by his brothers, and down in Egypt he was cast into prison for righteousness sake. c. Moses was reviled again and again when he stood up and that which was right d. John the Baptist - beheaded e. Jesus was crucified f. Paul had many persecutions that were physical - stonings, beatings with a rod and a whip g. Stephen was stoned to death h. James was beheaded i. Peter and John were cast into prison. Sometimes it is this physical persecution that we receive

Kind of Persecution 2. Verbal Today this is the form we often suffer Matt.5:11 “revile” - “reproach” Defame, chide, taunt Slander Lies Ridicule False accusations 2. But the persecution can also be verbal a. Persecution today is in a much milder form, but it is just as real. b. Sometimes it is in the form of words either written or spoken. c. Matt. 5:11 “Men will reproach you, and persecute you, and will say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (1) Reproach in the KJV and NKJV is translated “revile” (2) Revile is defined as to defame, chide, taunt, cast in teeth d. Slander, lying - Many times the enemy ridicules us. e. The church and Christians are often subjected to false accusations and misrepresentations.

Behavior in Persecution We should not… Whine and complain Indulge in self pity Try to get even - Rom.12:17-21 Give up - Matt. 10:22 “You will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” III. WHAT SHOULD BE OUR BEHAVIOR IN PERSECUTION? A. We should not: 1. Whine and complain 2. Indulge in self pity and feel sorry for ourselves because people do us wrong when we stand up for what is right 3. Try to get even - retaliate and take vengeance - Rom.12 “Repay no one evil for evil” 4. Never give up - Matt. 10:22 “You will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Behavior in Persecution

Behavior in Persecution We should … Rejoice and be exceeding glad v.12 Acts 5:41 “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 16:22-25 - Paul and Silas in prison How then should we respond to persecution? B. Jesus said in our scripture reading tonight : “Rejoice and be exceeding glad:” easy to say, difficult to do, but it can be done 1. Peter and John were persecuted for teaching about Jesus, notice how they responded after they were reprimanded in Acts 5:41 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” 2. Acts 16:22-25 - Paul and Silas in prison singing and praying to God 3. But how can we be (blessed) happy when we are treated poorly? Because persecution drives the persecuted closer to God! And that is why we can be happy

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” 1. Rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer for the kingdom of God. John 15:19-20 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” 2. It is not a great disaster when we are persecuted, it is simply living the Christian life John 15:19-20

Two Reasons to Rejoice The Reward “Great is your reward in heaven” – v.12 Rom. 8:17 – suffer with him Heb. 10:32-34 – endured afflictions Mark 10:29,30 – world to come C. Two reasons why we should rejoice: 1. Their reward: a. “Great is your reward in heaven” Matt. 5:12 b. Paul said that if we suffer with Christ we will also be glorified with Him - Rom. 8:17 “if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ” c. Heb. 10:32-34 -- Some of these people endured afflictions but they knew that “ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” d. Heaven will surely be worth it all. e. Mark 10:29,30 Jesus says that His people shall have a hundred fold here and in the world to come eternal life f. So we can and should rejoice when we are persecuted for Jesus, because heaven is our home

Two Reasons to Rejoice Company is wonderful “For so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” – v.12 Leaders are the chief sufferers God’s best loved people have suffered persecution 2. A 2nd reason we can rejoice during persecution is because our company is wonderful: a. Jesus said in our reading tonight “For so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” b. The leaders - the prophets - are the chief sufferers. c. Men like: Isaiah, Daniel, Stephen, The apostles. d. God's best beloved people have suffered persecution. e. But understand persecution does not mean disfavor with God.

The last resembles the first First – condition of becoming a citizen of the kingdom Poor in spirit = Humble of heart Last – Describes character of one who has become a citizen Persecuted = great is their reward CONCLUSION 1. This last beatitude resembles the first. a. The first beatitude states the condition of becoming a citizen of the kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit = the humble of heart b. The last describes the character of one who has become a citizen. (those willing to go the extra mile and suffer, if need be, for righteous sake) 2. This beatitude sees the disciple at his highest. a. He triumphs by spiritual power over the forces of opposition. b. A Christian who can receive persecution and maintain his integrity and fidelity has his inheritance in the kingdom. c. Persecution may seem harsh, but it is only the “storm before the rainbow”. d. It is a tool which God uses to prepare us for greater things. 3. God's reward cannot be measured, for it consists of salvation in the age to come.

“Blessed are the persecuted” The 8th Beatitude Specific - Righteous persecuted Results - Kingdom of heaven Principle - Endurance Application - Hardships are common 5. Summary of BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED a. Specific - the righteous will be persecuted b. Results - Theirs is the kingdom of heaven c. Principle - Endurance - Gal. 6:9 ‘let us not grow weary while doing good, for we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” d. Application - Hardships are common for the righteous Christian, and it has always been this way 6. The beatitudes are the foundation of Christian character. a. It is no accident that Jesus put them first in the Sermon on the Mount. b. Read them often c. Obey them always

The Beatitudes “Blessed.” Matt. 5:3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 4. The first word in this lesson is “Blessed”. Matt. 5:3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 a. The Lord desires us to be blessed - happy b. These rules will give us the kind of life that makes for a blessing, not a curse.

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12 How to be Happy

Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith (Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) REMISSION OF SINS Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10)