1. Matthew 5:1-12 The Eighth Beatitude

2. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you

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

4. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake” Persecuted the best Prosecuted the worst Conflict between good and evil, right and wrong “In the world ye shall have tribulation” Jn.16:33

5. Right living 1.Introduces humility 2.Repentance 3.Meekness 4.Craving for righteousness 5.Mercy 6.Purity of heart 7.Peaceableness

6. 2 Tim. 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” John 15:20 “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” 1 Pet. 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

7. Prosecuted - action for one guilty of wrong Persecuted - evil to one not guilty of wrong Defined – to harass or punish - to injure, grieve, cause to suffer because of belief To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches - pester

8. Why are the righteous persecuted ? ? They are different The world does not like this John 15:19 ye are not of the world The world loves sin They dislike the godly

9. Why are the righteous persecuted ? ? 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

10. Why are the righteous persecuted ? ? For Envy Wicked dislike those who do better Genesis 4 - Cain angry with Abel

11. Why are the righteous persecuted ? ? The Righteous interfere Interferes with the unrighteous Acts 16:16-24 Opposes the barroom – abortion - homosexuality - gambling

12. 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 – 2Cor.11:23-27

13. Verbal Today this is the form we often suffer Matt.5:11 “revile” - “reproach” Defame, chide, taunt Slander Lies Ridicule False accusations

14. We should not… Whine and complain Indulge in self pity Try to get even - Rom.12:17-21 Give up - Matt. 10:22

15. 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

16. 19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. “ Blessed.” Matt. 5:3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

21. Specific - Righteous persecuted Results - Kingdom of heaven Principle - Endurance Application - Hardships are common The Eighth Beatitude

22. Matthew 5:1-12

23. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning Sept. 12, 2010