Peace and Persecution

Introduction:

We’ve been on the Blessed series — looking at the Sermon on the Mount — with a heavy focus on the Beatitudes

Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered these Beatitudes, two at a time.

I know that Christmas is still a month away — but today — just like putting a bow on a Christmas gift

We’ll be wrapping up the Beatitudes with the final two in Matthew 5:9-12.

Illustration:

Speaking of Christmas — have you ever had this happen to you? perhaps as a kid

You have this gift waiting for you under the tree — it’s wrapped beautifully with shiny wrapping paper

Your excitement builds as you imagine what’s inside — maybe the latest game console

But when you open it — it’s a sweater or scarf — Not what you expected

From your perspective — this gift is not fun, it’s practical, but not fun

But from your parents perspective, it’s something you need — something chosen with care — And over time, you realize how much you actually appreciate it.

That is how the Beatitudes can feel sometimes — they are wrapped in these shiny wrappers of blessings — but when we open them up — they reveal truths that are — less about immediate fun — and more about shaping our character and identity

Transition to next point:

That is why, before we look at these last two Beatitudes, we have to explore the importance of perspective.

Without the right perspective, these Beatitudes might feel — unexciting or even daunting.

But when we understand them as Jesus meant them, then they come alive with eternal purpose.

1. Perspective

A. Staves of Kingdom Citizenship

When you look closely at the end of the first and last Beatitudes — you will find two identical phrases

Matthew 5:3 “3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:10 “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Think of these 2 phrases as those wooden spindles — on the ends of an ancient scroll

These two phrases frame together — a set declarations — of what it means to be a kingdom citizen

Like the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”

The Beatitudes declare — we hold these values and principles to be true — for all Kingdom citizens

Illustration: Cyprus citizenship

Fun fact about me — I am a citizen of a country called Cyprus — I have never been to this country — my father has never been to this country — It’s actually my grandfather that came from Cyprus

But because of my bloodline — I am today a Cyprus citizen — and because of that, I have all the privileges, the backing and protection of that country & the EU — regardless of where I live

Now, none of us have been to heaven — but what Jesus is saying is that, regardless of who you are or where you are, you can be a citizen of heaven

The Beatitudes reveal to us that being a citizen of Heaven connects us to a greater, eternal reality — this is not our final home

The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians 2:19 “19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,”

And again in Philippians 3:20 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

You see, the Beatitudes are more than just temporary blessings

They represent our spiritual “declaration” as Kingdom citizens.

That is the underlying, foundational, reality of each beatitude

B. Each Promise — Present and Future

It’s embedded in every single Beatitude

Inside each of the Beatitudes you will find the words:

“Blessed are” — indicating a present reality — followed by

“They will” — pointing towards future fulfillment

In Hebrews 11:13,16 it speaks of the heroes of faith that understood this duality

Hebrews 11:13–16 “13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. … 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

— 3 sec Pause —

Look, I want to experience all the blessings of God in this life, just as much as anyone — but if this life is all there is then can we really say we’re blessed?

Too often, we hear “blessed” and think of success here and now

Living our best life on Earth

If we stop there, we miss the true meaning of the Beatitudes.

Quote: John Piper says it like this:

"If we hope in Christ only for this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. True blessing is not found in what we gain here but in the promise of joy forever with God. Without that, our lives and struggles here would be empty."

— 3 sec Pause —

There is a present blessing in the beatitudes that can only be experienced when we understand them in their eternal context.

Transition to next point: Now that we understand the eternal perspective — let’s explore what it means to be a peacemaker.

2. Peace

A. External Peace

In Matthew 5:9 we find the 7th Beatitude, “9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

So again, when we see this Beatitude with an eternal perspective — we understand that the peace Jesus is speaking of isn’t temporary — it’s eternal peace.

And eternal peace can only come from God.

Illustration: Brotherly fights

Growing up, my brother and I would fight all the time.

Our parents would make us ‘make peace,’ — but a few days later, we’d be back at it

That is about how good we are as human at making peace — our peace is temporary, our peace is conditional —

I’ll be at peace with you as long as you don’t cross the line again

There are family members that have “made peace” but they can’t stand each other

There are nations that have peace agreements but yet remain on edge — ready to fight each other at any moment

What the world often calls peace is merely hidden hostility beneath the surface.

For a lot of us, making peace with each other is just a way for us to mask our unresolved conflicts and tensions

“Let’s just squash it” — “Let’s bury the hatchet” — Yes, you may have buried the hatchet, but the hatchet is still there

That is not the peace Jesus is talking about — His peace is grounded in something deeper and eternal

B. Peace Within

Peace is, first and foremost, internal and spiritual — and it can only come from God

Isaiah 26:3 says, “3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Real peace comes from placing our trust in God, not in temporary or worldly solutions.

Let me ask you : Where have you placed your trust, hoping to find peace?

I sure hope it wasn’t the results of the election

Maybe it’s in job security? or relationships? — None of these can give you lasting peace.

Illustration: Longing for peace

I remember 7 years ago, I was in the darkest season of my life

— I looked to drugs to find peace — I looked to alcohol to find peace — I tried to fit in and blend in with the crowd to find peace

— But instead of peace, I fought with everyone

— I had so much shame and guilt and anger inside of me that it spilt over everywhere

Until one day, I just gave up and I begged God to give me peace

— 3 sec Pause —

Maybe some of you are longing for peace, the way I was — or maybe on the outside everything looks okay — but on the inside you’re a mess — we’ve all been there

The word of God assures us in Philippians 4:6 that if we pray, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You may not understand why things are the way they are right now in your life — and that’s okay — you can still have peace

God’s peace isn’t based on our circumstances — it’s rooted in our identity in Christ.

C. Children of God

This is why Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

It’s about identity

John 1:12 says, “12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

Jesus is the supreme peacemaker

Isaiah calls him the Prince of Peace

The Bible tells us that we were all at one point enemies of God in our minds because of our evil behavior

Excluded from citizenship and foreigners to the covenants of the promise

Without hope and without God in the world.

But now we have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

But then, in Ephesians 2:17–18 “17 [Jesus] came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

It’s thanks to Jesus that we get to become children of God, we get to be Kingdom citizens, who embody the values and principles of God’s kingdom and share the same characteristics as God, our Father

It’s not, if you are a peacemaker, you will become children of God

No, it’s peacemakers will be called children of God

It’s not a peacemaker that your’e trying to become —it’s a child of God

Why? Because being a peacemaker is a core characteristic of a child of God — Like Father, like son

Any attempt at peace in our life — has to begin with Jesus!

Any attempt at peace with others — has to begin with Jesus!

There is no peace without Jesus

Quote: Rick Warren says it like this:

"You cannot make peace with others until you make peace within yourself. And you cannot make peace within yourself until you make peace with God."

— 3 sec Pause —

Transition to next point: And this Peace, that surpasses understanding, is crucial for the last Beatitude

3. Persecution

Matthew 5:10 “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

A. Persecution Package

Illustration: The fine print

Whenever you sign up for a service or a subscription package

— they like to place their most favorable features in big letters

— and their less favorable terms & conditions in small print buried in some long document

Jesus, on the other hand, lists persecution as a feature package — starts his sermon with it

Maybe some of you want to opt out of that package — but let’s hear Jesus out

One thing we need to remember about the beatitudes is that — They are the ethos of Kingdom citizens —

They outline the core values, attitudes, and principles that define those that belong to God’s kingdom

They are not necessarily direct commands but rather declarations of truth

If you are a kingdom citizen, then you are blessed, you are meek, you are merciful, you pursue righteousness…

Well, embedded within the kingdom ethos — is Persecution — it is a natural outcome of living according to these radical, countercultural standards

As Christians we should not be surprised when we are ostracized or attacked for our beliefs — Jesus makes that clear

In John 15:18–20 it says, “18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”

Turn to your neighbor and tell them, “it’s part of the package”

B. The Encouraging Part

I know this may be a hard pill to swallow

but maybe that’s why Jesus spends a couple of more verses to encourage us on this

In Matthew 5:11–12 he says, “11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus offers two truths for encouragement:

1. “Great is your reward in heaven”—He reinforces the eternal perspective.

2. “You’re in the company of the prophets who came before you.”

But notice the shift — Jesus moves from speaking to the collective (“Blessed are they”) to addressing each of us personally: “Blessed are you.”

When people feel oppressed — they often stand together in unity for strength.

And in a way, — the fact that the Beatitudes are addressed at a collective — is for that exact reason

Jesus wants us to stand with each other — as united citizens

But even if you find yourself alone — or you feel alone — you are never alone!

All of heaven is standing with you!

— 3 sec Pause —

C. Response to Persecution

So, How will you respond to persecution? When the devil attacks you — or people ostracize you — because of your faith?

Will you lash out in anger? Will you go into resentment?

Will you just give up and say “I didn’t sign up for this”

— 3 sec Pause —

In a way, persecution is a litmus test for the Beatitudes — a testing of our faith

It is when we are challenged that we truly discover whether or not we actually possess the character qualities of the Beatitudes

When you become a child of God — sooner or later — you will face opposition — this is a reality

But even if you fall short of the Beatitudes

If you don’t give up — if you press in

This same opposition, this same persecution will actually strengthen you

James 1:2–3 reminds us of this, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Transition to end:

Conclusion

For those of you who may be facing opposition or isolation because of your faith right now

Maybe it’s from a family member or a friend that won’t accept you

Jesus sees you right where you are — and he wants to give you peace

You are not alone

Application

As we leave here today,

May we embody the Beatitudes in our lives — as true citizens of the Kingdom

Embracing the peace that comes from God

Standing firm in the face of persecution and holding onto our eternal inheritance

Let’s commit to living each day as true children of God.

PRAYER:

Salvation call

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I’m a sinner,

and I ask for your forgiveness.

I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

I believe that You raised him from the dead

From this day forward,

I surrender my life,

I surrender my will

to Jesus Christ

I pray this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time: Text LIVING to 94000