The Persecuted Christian

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

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.

DT: Christians who endure persecution are blessed

Christians who endure persecution are blessed

AIM: We will face adversity in our lives faithfully

We will face adversity in our lives faithfully

Introduction:

The word persecution means, in simple terms, to be treated badly. A more technical definition of this term is, to systematically organize a program to oppress and harass people. Often those who persecute others really do not need any specific reason to oppress and harass others. Jesus is very intentional in our text today to express that there will be some who will be persecuted because of righteousness. I really believe that this might help somebody today, who has been questioning whether it is worth it to keep doing what is right when people keep hurting you and pushing you and kicking you. I stopped here to tell you that, it is well worth it. Others may not see you struggle or know your pain but God does. This passage should both encourage us and strengthen us by knowing that God rewards the Christian who endures the persecution which comes.

This verb means to systematically organize a program to oppress and harass people

David Abernathy, An Exegetical Summary of , Exegetical Summaries (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2013), 108.

Transition: Yes we will suffer even as Christians. This is not a reason to give up. What do we do, then? We consider the Promise to the Persecuted.

The Promise to the Persecuted Christian (V.10)

The Promise to the Persecuted

From the onset of this verse we are advised of the promises which the Christian can be confident. First that there is the possibility of persecution and secondly that the Christian will be blessed for enduring persecution.

The Promise to the Persecuted

Jesus states that the Kingdom of Heaven is rewarded to those whom are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Plainly, Jesus is saying that those who have made a determination to live according to the Will of God and are persecuted for their choice of doing what is right do not have to be concerned with what may not be gained materially in this life; but, can be confident that God has prepared His Kingdom which is in heaven for them.

Jesus states that the Kingdom of Heaven is rewarded to those whom are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Please note that this is about recognizing that the life of the Christian is not always easy. It is recognizing that God requires us to endure the frustrations that come with doing His righteousness.

The Plight of the Persecuted

Transition: We are promised the Kingdom of heaven for trusting God while we are being persecuted.

Illustration: I remember my dad was going on a fishing trip and told me and my brother that if we were on our best behavior that we would be able to go with him. While I was at school, someone was picking on my brother and I defended my brother but the word got back to my dad. My dad then informed me that I would not be going on the fishing trip. I pleaded my case that, I was defending my brother. He still didn’t let me go. My brother on the other hand went on the trip and had a ball. I asked him why didn’t he take up for himself and he responded. All I could remember was daddy promising to take us on the trip if we be good.

Transition: We needn’t be side tracked by the things that people do to us but we can remain focused on the promise that God has made.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Gal 6:

Application: Take confidence in the promise of the reward God has for you. Be righteous and be determined to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. God is not looking for excuses, God wants us to endure persecution and trust His promise.

Transition: God’s promises are true and persecution is real. Many may fail at enduring because we are unfamiliar with the Plight of the Persecuted

The Plight of the Persecuted Christian (V.11)

Jesus encourages His disciples by further explaining to them what persecution looks like. But Jesus is not merely giving a list of things to look out for and fight.

Jesus is helping to place into perspective the life of those who call themselves His disciples. Jesus says, WHEN others revile you and persecute you and talk about you and lie on you. WHEN it happens. Jesus is not focusing on if or might but Jesus is saying expect it to occur. There is no time table but be very sure as a disciple of mine you will suffer some pain from some people.

This verse should be helpful to each of us as well.

Number one it leaves none of us any room to be surprised. If we live for Jesus and serve Jesus we are going to face some adversity.

Number two we are left with no excuse to pout and have a pity party, because this is a notice from the Lord that people will break your heart, lie on you, talk about you and dislike you.

Number three we are charged to consider ourselves blessed. Don’t miss that. Jesus says, consider yourself to be blessed when it occurs. Verse 11, points back at verse 10 by reminding us that God has His Kingdom prepared for us.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

john 16:

Illustration: I was standing watching a plumber fix the sewer line. I found it to be quite gross and nasty. I asked him did he get frustrated and lose patience about having to deal with the smell and the nastiness of the job. The plumber said, “no because I know what to expect. It comes with the territory and regardless of how bad the job is I feel blessed because I know that I’m getting paid when I finish”

Galatians 6:9 ESV

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Application: There is no need to pull your hair out. Live knowing that sometimes stuff comes with the territory. Keep trusting God and consider yourself blessed.

Transition: This passage does not only encourage us to consider the promises to the persecuted and the plight of the persecuted but lastly encourages the Poise of the Persecuted

The Poise of the Persecuted

The Poise of the Persecuted Christian (V.12)

I

This verse, is permission to laugh in the face of our enemies. It gives the Christian the right to claim victory before the battle is over.

This is not a suggestion for the disciples of Jesus. He is literally commanding them to rejoice and be glad. Yes in the midst of their circumstance and persecution Jesus says when it happens I want you to just start shouting and singing.

Your persecutors believe they are in control and do not realize that God is already controlling the outcome.

Your persecutors believe they can take your joy but you can keep shouting because you know the joy you have God gave it.

Your persecutors failed to read the next clause in the text, “for your reward is great in heaven”. Which means they cannot touch what God has for you.

God

The Christian is poised with joy because he knows that God will take care of Him. The text says, “for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you”. This is a powerful statement from Jesus. He is assuring His disciples that this is nothing to God. When others have been down this road, God has not failed.

One song writer says it this way, “It is no secret what God can do, what He’s done for others he will do the same for you.” This song is absolutely true. If fact we are reminded that we are in good company. The Scripture is filled with men and women who faced persecution and turmoil.

-Job lost everything

-Esther faced execution

-Noah was ridiculed

-Moses was exiled

-Abraham was cheated

-Paul was beat

-Stephen was stoned

-Peter was Jailed

-Hannah was picked on

-And Jesus was hanged on the Cross

You are in good company. Go ahead and rejoice because God has got this. Keep doing what is right. Keep loving your enemies. Keep praying. Keep worshiping God, because God has got this under control.

Illustration:

Application: Learn to tell the Lord thank you in spite of the situation. Recognize that you are winning. There is nothing God cannot handle. Hold your head up and live your best life.

Conclusion:

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you, Through ev'ry day, O’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart does fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need he will provide, God will take care of you; Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; Lean, weary one, upon his breast, God will take care of you.