Beatitudes: Persecution

Me

My heroes

Dad

Work

Energy

Love

Courtney

Discernment.

Serving others.

Listening and being present

Sister

Mary and Martha

Brother

Teacher and friend

Jesse

Wisdom - Sharp

Spirit of David

A warrior whose after God’s heart

Father In Law

Rock

Leader

Trustworthy and Integrity

Only knock. He is a husky fan.

These are people who have influenced my life and teach me how to live.

I watch

I listen

I learn

How are we supposed to live? (kids ask me)

They don’t have people of influence in there lives.

They are overwhelmed with who they are supposed to be because it’s constantly changing.

That is why I am so passionate about stepping into growth each and every day.

Unleashing hope in my work, energy, and love.

Whoever tells the best story wins the culture.

Letting my story tell his story which makes history.

We

The world (How are we supposed to live)

Love self.

Separate from others.

Live however you want.

The church thinks they are better then us.

The church is a bunch of hypocrites.

The church judges.

Jesus followers (How are we supposed to live)

Love God

Love others

Live like Jesus.

Righteous Living - Living like Jesus

Righteous Living - According to the world

The more you do the more you get

The more never ends.

Buid YOUR brand

Commercial

Guy on phone - doesn’t open door

Guy on phone - walk over mail main who dropped mail

Guy on phone - loud and obnoxious on phone in public

Guy on phone - walks out in front of car at cross walk

How are we supposed to live? (The church)

Fancy lights and programs.

Incredible social media presence and online church

Dress like cool kids

Big stages. (Smoke)

Big rooms.

Big personalities

Controversial and Defiant

The Beatitudes (How are we supposed to live?)

Matthew 5: 1-10

“When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and 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 the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

God

Matthew 5:10-11

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.”

Because of Righteousness

Rewind back to fourth Beatittude.

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Forward thinking.

Zeroes in on on people who are there listening to Jesus

Addressing them in relation to their preparedness to be identified with him at any cost.

Because of being a follower of Jesus.

This was not the case then

Many did not identity as followers of Jesus up until this point in Jesus ministry.

Matthew 4:18-22 (FOLLOW ME) (LIVE LIKE ME)

“As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Live Like Jesus

Free and pure. (Righteous living)

This beatitude is speaking to what could happen when we are fully committed to God’s cause.

Free and pure with a cost.

When we live righteously we are choosing to be set free from our old lives. Our old way of thinking. Our old way of living.

Leaving behind the worlds way.

That was controversial back when Jesus called his disciples and it is still controversial today.

The better path is.

Choosing to not go aside from what is right.

That is righteousness.

Choosing the better path.

Not the worlds.

The Way. The better path.

Is Jesus.

That was what Jesus was saying in these Beatitudes.

That is what Jesus went on to say throughout the entire sermon on the mount.

But this path. Especially in this moment. In Jesus day.

Would lead to persecution.

The world of that day did not see Jesus as the way.

Rome was the way.

Gods were the way.

Law was the way.

Jesus knew that if people chose to live like Jesus. Persecution would follow.

It did then and does now.

Persecution.com (Show photo on screen)

icommittopray.com

Voice of the Martyrs (Follow on social)

India

Pastor Nahtiya, his son and other church members had worshiped together and were walking home through the jungle when they were ambushed by Hindu radicals throwing stones at them. Some were able to break away only to be attacked again by villagers wielding axes, sticks and other tools. Pastor Nahtiya’s 16-year-old son and another believer were struck repeatedly. Police arrived and helped take the severely injured men to the hospital.

Rebecca from Nigeria

Marriage gift: Bible

Started family

Spread amongst village.

Village attacked.

Bible survived.

She continues the mission.

We

This beatitude serves as the ultimate reminder for us.

When we follow the Jesus way.

We have HOPE.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (haa - ba - kuck)

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!”

Post Beatitudes

Jesus challenges us to be Salt and Light to the world.

This can only be done if we are following him.

If we are living in righteousness.

Loving our enemies

You

1 Peter 3:14

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated.”

When we live righteously suffering can happen.

The Jesus Way

When will you get a real job

Friends have gone distant - name called - mocked

Story after story on persuction.com which are real life stories happening everyday.

So what can you do with this beatitude (INVITE THE WORSHIP TEAM UP)

Love God

Love others

Youth Mentorship program

Live like Jesus (Righteous)

Pray that Christians in hostile areas and restricted nations will soon hold their own copies of God’s Word.

Pray that each of us will cherish God’s Word more deeply.

Immerse Reading Bible

immeresebible.com

Breaks the bible into six volumes

Beginnings, Kingdoms, Prophets, Poets, Chronicles, and Messiah

Single Column reading. No chapters or verses numbers. Section headings and foot notes removed.

Pray that our knowledge of the glory of the Lord will result in obeying Scripture at any cost.

Righteousness

Choosing to not go aside from what is right.

Psalm 17: 5

“My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.”

Amen