1. Persecuted.Not persecuted.

2. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Matt 5:10

3. “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Tim 3:12

4. Joy and suffering

5. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger are thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “As we follow Christ he transforms our minds, our desires, our wills, our relationships, and our ultimate reason for living.” David Platt, “Follow me”.

6. “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him” John Piper, “Desiring God”...they will be comforted (v4)...they will inherit the earth (v5)...they will be filled (v6)...they will be shown mercy (v7)...they will see God (v8)...they will be called sons of God (v9). What gives us joy? What brings us grief?

7. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger are thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “…unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20

8. Persecution and righteousness. A spiritual emptiness. Poor in spirit. Mourning. Meekness. A spiritual filling up with righteousness. Mercy. Pure of heart. Peace. Not all who are persecuted will be blessed.

9. Persecution and Jesus - Luke 16:14-15. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matt 5:11 The form of persecution: they sneer at Jesus. Luke 16:13 Who were persecuting: those who loved money. Luke 16:14 Why they were persecuting: to justify their love for money. Luke16:15

10. “Ebola survivor’s bizarre speech”. www. news.com.au

11. You are persecuted when… Your family, friends and social group pressurize you, mock you, etc. because you do not want to compromise to live with righteousness. You lose financial opportunities, promotions, status, etc. because you choose purity and integrity first. False accusations are levied at you when you try to share the peace of Christ. Your friends do not want to hang out with you because they know you don’t do some of the things they do. You persevere in having mercy with those who hate you, whether they be from another religion or race.

12. How persecution flows to being salt and light. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

13. Persecution and rejoicing. “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:12

14. Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake. Col 1:24a..if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Cor 1:5 I am greatly encouraged,; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. 2 Cor 7:2-5 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Heb 12:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2 But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:13 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines….yet will I rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

15. Suffering and joy come together. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matt 16:24-25, c.f. Luke 9:23-24, Mark 8:35 “To follow Christ is a call to die and a call to live. It is a call to die in order to really live.” David Platt, “Follow me”.

16. Worthy to be counted with the prophets. “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:12

17. Sadhu Sundar Singh

18. “This is the supreme command. Through the medium of prayer, we go to our enemy. We stand by his side, and we plead to God for him.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. “

19. Watchman Nee

22. Can I lay down my life for Jesus?