Recalibrating Honor (3)

Recalibrating Honor- Part 3

INTRODUCTION

The persecution found around the world against christians is finding its way to America.

We are finding it hard to live out our faith and keep our businesses or our jobs.

How are we to respond to the oppression being forced upon us?

Matthew 5:9–13 ESV

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

SET-UP

Blessed= fulfilled, inner joy from life of meaning.

8 Characteristics of Those Worthy of Honor (7-8)

7. Peacemakers

"That's my son"-

peacemakers= those who work for shalom- harmony not strife. Other , reconcile others to God.

Rome was built on the back of war.

The Roman empire created peace only by a vastly superior military.

Peace came through might. Crush those who don’t agree.

Will be seen as sons because they are conformed to his likeness.

You cannot divorce peace from purity.

James 3:17 ESV

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Peace- not just absence of conflict- the presence of righteousness.

Purity leads to peace.

Conflict is the result of sin.

ILL- Cold War

A war that existed behind the scenes. Shots were not fired.

This is the way many of our relationships are.

Conflict behind the scenes.

Just living in a temporary cease fire. What is going to happen next for the shots to begin to be fired.

God is a God of reconciliation and calls us to do the same.

Colossians 1:20 ESV

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Seems to speak against the Zealots= the Jewish revolutionaries who hoped to bring the Kingdom of God through violence.

Zealots believed that their militarism proved they were the loyal "sons of God".

Peter cutting off ear

The kingdom Jesus addresses is entirely apart from human effort. This Kingdom belongs to those who live peacably.

Love of one's enemies is taught. Not destruction of one's enemies.

Why are peacemakers called "sons of God"?

Because they carry the identity of their father.

ILL-- I find myself acting like my dad often.

We are the children of God. We are the heirs.

Galatians 4:4–7 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Romans 8:14–17 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

John 1:12–13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

8. Persecuted

This last beatitude is the litmus test on whether you are living the previous 8. If you live with Godly honor you will be persecuted.

What happens when we value the above characteristics? The world will hate us and persecute us.

Don't miss "for righteousness sake"= not due to sin or tactlessness.

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Who are the those living for "righteousness' sake"?= Those who live the above beatitudes.

1 Peter 4:12–15 ESV

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

3 Types of Persecution

A. Physical

persecuted)

Hebrews 11:32–38 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Nero- human torches and beheadings.

Today- ISIS; China; Iran

B. Verbal

(revile)= the tongue

vs 12- Elisha

social outcast- not popular-

Children didn't even respect him. Called him "baldy".

Disrespect came from parents.

C. Personal

(Reputation)

Darkness has to belittle the light- because to leave it alone hurts.

The church is no longer politically correct.

It is going to cost more and more to be a christian in America.

The Reward of Persecution

Promise of the Kingdom

Build a worldly kingdom and get a worldly kingdom.

wealth?-- you can get it.

Popularity?- you can get it.

ILL-- Prodigal son

Got what he wanted

but Father wanted so much more for him.

Are we building God's Kingdom or our own kingdom?

The eternal reward is only found in God's Kingdom.

CONCLUSION

The making of the great Boulder Dam (Became Hoover Dam)

Goal was to turn dust bowl into fertile land.

many died in the making of the dam;

Inscription on monument listing their names.

"These died that the desert might rejoice and blossom as the rose."

Our suffering for Christ makes it easier for the generations that come after us.

Our failure to suffer makes it harder.

Will you stay strong in the midst of trials?

James 5:10–11 ESV

10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 1:2–3 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.