Blessed Are The Persecuted

Matthew 5:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Introduction

Up until this passage of the beatitudes, the Lord has dealt with the more pleasant things of the spiritual life in Christ.

Here, He drops this bomb shell on us, “Blessed are the persecuted!”

Who in their right mind would want to be persecuted.

This is where many people who claim to be followers of Christ, Walk away. (Look At John 6:66)

The Forms of Persecution

Persecution of itself indicates some kind of physical abuse.

many in our world are being persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, beheaded.

some are beaten up, shot, etc.

There is verbal abuse.

they revile you, argue, distort, make fun of, criticize, call you names.

There is the false accusations.

They say evil things about you to discredit your testimony.

They will exaggerate on what really happens and create their own narrative which falsely accused.

To speak evil of your words, when you speak and stand on righteous issues, you are the bigot, you are the self-righteous, you are the racist, you are the hater!

Who are the persecuted?

They are the ones who believe and follow the word of God.

Abraham believed God, and therefore was declared Righteous.

They are the ones who stand of Jesus’ Sake.

Because Jesus is Lord, you stand in obedience to Him.

They are the ones who have Christ living in them, and His life cannot be hid.

How are we to respond to persecution?

We are to Rejoice!

That means to praise the Lord!

We are to be exceedingly glad!

Not because of the pain and suffering, but because we are citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom.

Great is our Reward in Heaven!

we are not to seek persecution to be rewarded; if we choose to live Godly in Christ Jesus, It is promised that we shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Conclusion

A true test of your relationship with Jesus would be that you have suffered persecution.

Being reviled, spoken evil of, falsely accused, called names, or even abused in some way.

Can you rejoice knowing that you are a child of God?

There is satisfaction, a pure feeling in your heart when you know that you have done the right thing in the face of adversity.

you may not be friends with the world, but you know that Jesus is your friend, your Lord and your Savior.