The persecuted

Intro

Matthew 5:10 NASB95

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  Pliny, Roman Governor in Asia Minor in the early Second Century, was so puzzled about the Christians brought before him for trial that he wrote his famous letter to the Emperor Trajan asking for his advice. This was the kind of thing he found himself up against:

A certain unknown Christian was brought before him, and Pliny, finding little fault in him, proceeded to threaten him. “I will banish thee,” he said.

“Thou canst not,” was the reply, “for all the world is my Father’s house.”

“Then I will slay thee,” said the Governor.

“Thou canst not,” answered the Christian, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.”

“I will take away they possessions,” continued Pliny.

“Thou canst not, for my treasure is in heaven.”

“I will drive thee away from man and thou shalt have no friend left,” was the final threat.

And the calm reply once more was, “Thou canst not, for I have an unseen Friend from Whom thou art not able to separate me.”

What was a poor, harassed Roman Governor, with all the powers of life and death, torture and the stake at his disposal, to do with people like that?1

1 Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 993–994.

Persecution is normal

in fact, it is to be expected

as we get closer and closer to the end of time, it will get worse and worse.

Why do we have it? why is it to be expected?

Christ ends beatitudes with this, “blessed are the persecuted”

they build up to this

to thrive in faith, means to stand up for it and not shy away

Persecution is not...

because something bad is happening to you does not mean you are being persecuted!

The qualifier, “because of me”

when it is done in response to your faith and action thereof

This is what persecution is

Persecution is...

to cause to suffer; to be mean to; to threaten; or to chase from place to place.

when we think of persecution

think of those martyred, those who suffer great trials and pain

it is that, and more

any cause to suffer, any threat, or chasing from place to place

to insult without cause

In America

we see this more and more, and it will continue to get worse

Pastors threatened with legal action for not shutting down their churches

Nominees treated harshly and told that their Christian beliefs are not welcomed in our nations capitol

students told not to bring Bible to school

Why does this happen?

When we follow God there will be trouble

When we are doing the other beatitudes, they lead to this one!

1 Peter 4:12-17 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Peter warns that this will happen, just make sure it happens not because you have committed a crime, but because you are seen as righteous

rejoice in your persecution!

1 Peter 3:13-17 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

Do not fear it but be ready

be ready means two things

expect it, know it is coming

prepare yourself to defend your faith.

NOT through hostility, but through kindness and love and gentleness.

This is not new

Christ told us this would happen

“They persecuted me, they will persecute you”

Throughout church history the church has been persecuted

just remember

it is not you they hate, it is the reality that Christ makes you confront your sin, and people don’t like seeing their sin or thinking they do anything wrong

Rejoice and be glad

Acts 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

When we are persecuted for the sake of Christ, then we can celebrate that we are worthy of such suffering

meaning your faith is so evident, that it is not hidden away, it is strong.

Our faith should be evident!

people should not be surprised when they hear that you go to church, or that you are a christian.

your faith should be on your lips and in your hands

permeate everything about you

Our faith should be so strong

Because Christ died so that we could be saved

He laid his life down for us, we have seen his works in our lives and the lives of others

the evidence is clear, so our faith in him should be strong.

Why are you willing to suffer?

Because Christ suffered for us.