The Life of Christ – Lesson 7 April 18, 2018 Matthew Chapters 5-7 Luke 6:20-49 The Life of Christ – Lesson 7 The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are the persecuted …

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Luke 6:22-23, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.”

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” 3 forms of suffering recorded in Matthew 5: Casting insults – reproach, revile. To defame - taunt. (Strong) To mock or ridicule, insult, hold in contempt. Hebrews 11:35-38 Persecution – to make to run or flee, put to flight (Thayer) Acts 26:11. Trouble, harass, or molest. Physical suffering. Saying of all kind of evil falsely. The evil speech is to be false. Verse 11 Acts 26:11; 8:3; 1 Timothy 1:13

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” 4 forms of suffering recorded in Luke 6: Hate you – to detest, active hatred that is malicious and unjustifiable. John 15:18 Ostracize you – set boundaries around you for the purpose of exclusion. John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2 Insult you. Scorn your name as evil. Drag one’s name through the mud. James 2:7 Acts 26:11; 8:3; 1 Timothy 1:13

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” Our response? “Rejoice” - “… cheerful, i.e. calmly happy or well of” (Strong) . “To thrive” (Thayer) “Be glad” - “To jump for joy” (Strong) (Luke 6:23) Examples: Acts 5:40-42; 1 Peter 1:6-9; Philippians 2:17; James 1:2-4

Romans 5:3-5 Tribulations (a pressing together) Exulting in tribulations Tribulations (a pressing together) Perseverance (constancy; brave patience) Proven Character (approvedness) Hope (joyful and confident expectation) Perseverance – James 1:3, 12

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” Our response? Go looking for it? Matthew 10:23; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:11 No, but don’t worry about it! Luke 21:12- 18

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” Why are we “calmly happy” and “leaping for joy” over our persecutions? First, because “… theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Inclusion at the beginning and end indicates all are required for citizens in the kingdom.

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted …” Why are we “calmly happy” and “leaping for joy” over our persecutions? Second, because “Your reward in heaven is great” – Psalms 58:11; 19:9-11; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Isaiah 49:3-4; Hebrews 11:6, 26; 10:35. Our reward is not worthy to be compared … Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18