Rejoicing Through Life's Trials
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Jesus says that the persecuted are blessed!
The nature of the blessing - persecuted (pursued)
Sometimes trouble seems to hunt us like a prey.
The cause of persecution: Identity with Christ, a life lived in loving obedience to Him.
“The righteous are persecuted because they are different. That was why the Pharisees … hated our Lord. It was not because He was good; it was because He was different. There was something about Him that condemned them. They felt all their righteousness was being made to look very tawdry.” - D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
With this beatitude Jesus gives a command - Rejoice, be exceeding glad (jump for joy!)
Rejoice! You are Identified with Christ!
Rejoice! You are Identified with Christ!
The nature of this persecution or suffering involves the trials we experience because we are walking in obedience to Christ. We don’t seek them out, but a believer will experience gossip, slander, misrepresentation, mocking, and even physical harm for following the Lord.
Persecution and suffering draws the believer closer to Christ.
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.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Paul said that he wanted to know the Lord in the “power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering, being conformed unto his death...”
Suffering makes us long for the Savior and appreciate His sacrifice all the more!
Acts 5:41
“The righteous are persecuted because they are different. That was why the Pharisees … hated our Lord. It was not because He was good; it was because He was different. There was something about Him that condemned them. They felt all their righteousness was being made to look very tawdry.” - D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Rejoice! Your Inheritance is in Heaven!
Rejoice! Your Inheritance is in Heaven!
Suffering in this life should cause us to look forward to heaven.
This life is but a brief moment, it a mist that comes and goes quickly, but the beauty and glory of eternity will never cease!
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rejoice! You are Not Isolated!
Rejoice! You are Not Isolated!
Our tendency in the midst of persecution or suffering is to think we are going through this all alone.
When you are going through a difficult time, seek out the company of godly believers who have
- Elijah was depressed because of persecution from the Lord’s enemies. He was convinced he was all alone.
The truth was that God still had a large remnant. Companionship came from an unlikely place.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.