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Matthew 5:10–12 NKJV

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Righteousness sake!! – not because of our own foolishness, selfish ambition, or preferences

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

John 15:18–20 NKJV

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Psalm 37:12 NKJV

The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

Isaiah 51:7 NKJV

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.

Psalm 69:7 NKJV

Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face.

1 Peter 4:14 NKJV

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

ii. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. (they are attacking HIM)

i. Now! (joy will be easy later in Heaven)

Acts 5:41 NKJV

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

ii.

Hebrew 13:14

1. Hebrew 13:14

Hebrews 13:14 NKJV

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Hebrews 11:10 NKJV

for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

1. You are not the only one that is, has or will go through this.

Acts 7:51–52 NKJV

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

1 Thessalonians 2:14–15 NKJV

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

BE READY

Main Idea: God desires for us to live in such a way that we experience persecution.

Key Question: How do you view persecution?

1. Be ready for negative reactions. (v. 10-11)

a. There will be reactions of hate. (v. 11)

b. There will be reactions of harassment. (v. 11)

c. There will be reactions of false accusations. (v. 11)

2. Be ready with positive responses. (v. 10, 12)

a. Respond with joy. (v. 10. 12)

b. Respond to the encouragement. (v. 10, 12)

i. Be encouraged by the great reward. (v. 10, 12)

ii. Be encourage by the great company. (v. 12)