1. “Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness” Matthew 5:10-12 John 15:17-27

2. Beatitudes Spiritual need Spiritual need: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, & the meek. Fulfillment Fulfillment: those who hunger & thirst after righteousness are filled. Result Result: the merciful, the pure in heart, & the peacemakers. Outcome Outcome: Persecution: to put to flight, drive away, pursue.

3. Righteousness’ sake Not unrighteousness Not unrighteousness (1 Pet 4:15) Pursue righteousness Pursue righteousness (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22) Scripture, training in right’ness Scripture, training in right’ness (2 Tim 3:16) Jesus, our righteousness Jesus, our righteousness (Jer 23:6; 2 Cor 5:21) Persecution follows Persecution follows (John 15:20; 2 Tim 3:12)

4. Jesus’ persecution Government officials Government officials (Herod, Pilate) Religious leaders Religious leaders (Jewish sectarian leaders) Military Military (Executioners) His own nation His own nation (John 8:45-48; 10:17-20) – “BECAUSE OF THE WORD” (Matt 13:21; 1 Cor 4:12-13)

5. Why Blessed? Persecution identifies with Jesus Persecution identifies with Jesus (1 Pet 4:12- 14; 5:9; Matt 5:12) Persecution indicates right direction Persecution indicates right direction (1 Peter 3:14-16; 1:3-6) Persecution comes with a great promise Persecution comes with a great promise (Matt 5:12; Rom 8:18)

6. Promise “For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” “As he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now” (Gal 4:29). “As he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now” (Gal 4:29).