Blessed are the persecuted Matt. 5:10-12

Introduction

Persecution isn’t a new concept to the church, in our studies in the book of Acts we saw lots of persecution of the Church and of believers. That persecution has continued and will continue until we are in eternity with Christ.

The statement “blessed or happy are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake” is contrary to our thinking of persecution. Most of us when we get a little persecuted we start feeling sorry for ourselves, but here Jesus tells those gathered on the mountain side that they can rejoice in the persecution, because there is a great reward in heaven for them.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

The cause of persecution

Notice that Jesus clarifies the cause of persecution is righteous living

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:11–12 “11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

To live for Christ is to live in opposition to Satan in his world and in his system.

One writer put it this way “Christlikeness in us will produce the same results as Christlikeness did in the apostles, in the rest of the early church, and in believers throughout history. Christ living in His people today produces the same reaction from the world that Christ Himself produced when He lived on earth as a man”

Righteousness is confrontational, not in the sense that the pharisees confronted others with their own self righteousness, but rather when you live a life following after Christ people notice, and it brings them face to face with their own unrighteousness, causing them to lash out against the Christian.

Abel didn’t have to preach righteousness to Cain, Abel lived it out through the acceptable sacrifice he offered up, while Cain offered up an unacceptable sacrifice. In rage Cain slew his brother.

Think about Moses, who had it really good in Egypt, but gave all that up because as the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:25–26 “25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Thomas Watson, a Puritan, wrote this “ Though they be never so meek, merciful, pure in heart, their piety will not shield them for sufferings. They must hang up their harp on the willows and take the cross. The way to heaven is by thorns and blood… Set it down in maxim, if you will follow Christ you must see sword and staves.”

Persecution is normal in the Christian life

Romans 8:16–17 “16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

I believe it is safe to say that true Christianity is revealed in the way we react to persecution

Matthew 13:20–21 “20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”

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Righteous living brings about persecution. When we live out the previous seven beatitudes we can expect persecution in our lives

Types of persecution

You’ll notice that verse 11 shows us the different ways we might be persecuted

The first is physical persecution

We think back to the early church, we are reminded of Stephen the first Christian martyred for preaching Christ. Because of the message he preached he was stoned to death.

As we continue through the book of Acts, we see early believers beaten, thrown in jail and all kinds of persecution happened to them.

The Second is through insults “When men shall revile you”

Remember afterJesus was arrested in the Garden, they took him to the sanhedrin and spat on him, beat him, and taunted him with words

Matthew 26:67–68 “67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?”

Mark 15:19–20 “19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”

Faithfulness to Christ may even cause our friends and family to mock us, and the cause of Christ.

I think about those who have lost family and friends because of their faith in Christ, and have become the center of their jokes and mocking.

We can rejoice when we are mocked for righteousness sake

The third way we are persecuted is by false accusations

Jesus’ critics called Him “gluttonous, and a winebibber(one who drinks much wine), a friend of publicans and sinners in Matthew 11.

The devil will use false accusations to discourage and distract us from the work of God, but we can rejoice because there is a reward for us in heaven when we endure persecution here on earth.

The central theme of the Beatitudes is righteousness

The first two have to do with recognizing our own unrighteousness

the next five have to do with our seeking and reflecting righteousness

The last beatitude has to do with our suffering for the sake of righteousness

Notice the last three words of verse 11

“for my sake”

Jesus is not speaking of every hardship, problem, or conflict believers may face, but those that the world brings on us because of our faithfulness to the Lord.

1 Peter 3:13–18 “13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The beatitudes begin and end with the promise of the kingdom of heaven.

The major promise of the beatitudes is that in Christ we become kingdom citizens now and forever. No matter what the world does to us it cannot affect our possession of Christs kingdom.

Rejoice!

John Chrysostom, a leader in the 4th century church, preached so strongly against sin that he offended Empress Eudoxia as well as many church officials. When he was summoned before Emperor Arcadius, Chrysostom was threatened with banishment if he did not stop his uncompromising preaching to which he replied “Sire, you cannot banish me for the world is my Father’s house.” “Then I will slay you,” Arcadius said. “Nay but you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God” came the answer. “Your treasure will be confiscated” was the next threat to which John replied “Sire, that cannot be either. My treasure is in heaven, where none can break through and steal.” Then I will drive you from man where you will have no friends left, was the final threat to which John replied “That you cannot do either, for I have a friend in heaven who has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”

Chrysostom was banished to Armenia and then to Pityus where he never made it because he died in route.

Neither banishement nor his death disproved or diminished his claims. The things that he valued most highly not even an emperor could take away from him.

Conclusion

no matter the persecution we face for righteousness sake, we have the promise of heaven.

No matter how bad it gets we have the promise that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us

Matthew 5:10–12 “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.”