From the Mouth of the Master- Part 3- Matthew 5:10-13

Introduction

This morning we will continue our study through the early portion of the “Sermon on the Mount” known as the beatitudes.

Today we will see that Jesus describes those who endure persecution for righteousness’ sake as blessed.

We will see the reason for persecution, what should be our response to persecution, and the reward that is reserved for those who endure persecution.

The word translated persecution here has the idea of pursuing and speaks in context of systematic oppression and harassment.

First let’s consider the...

Reasons for Persecution

The persecution that Jesus speaks of here is due first of all to the believer’s stand for righteousness, or literally what is right.

Persecution may often come to those who are willing to take a firm stance regarding right and wrong according to the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV 1900

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Your desire to live godly brings conviction upon some who would choose to persecute you because of your standard of living.

We live in an age where right and wrong are considered relative terms and what is right today may be wrong tomorrow and in a society where what is wrong for one group of people may be considered right for another.

Yet the Bible believer looks into the Word of God and finds a clear standard of right and wrong, of what is good and what is evil and is willing to take up a position based upon what they find in the scriptures.

This of course is offensive to many who would seek to redefine right and wrong and thus we are labeled as bigoted, hateful, and intolerant.

This then gives license for persecution to those who oppose our point of view. Those who are willing to stand for right are then punished and penalized for their stance.

We are living in a time where the individual who will stand up for truth and right will often be bullied, cancelled, or worse.

It is not only the believer’s stand for righteousness that brings persecution but also our stand for Christ. When we proclaim Christ as the way, the truth, and the life and assert that He alone can save, we should expect persecution as a result.

Modern religion suggests that it is faith that is important no matter the object of that faith. This is in direct contradiction with the plain teaching of scripture. Only faith in Christ can save.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Some will say we are far too narrow minded and that Christ cannot possibly be the only way to eternal life, and yet this is exactly what the Bible teaches.

Many of the disciples could have saved themselves from persecution and martyrdom had they only been willing to renounce Christ and yet they would not, for they understood the necessity of Christ.

The same is true today, the world has no problem with a diluted Christianity that makes no exclusive claims and asks nothing of its adherents, which only serves as a means of self-improvement.

We must stand for Christ in our generation even if it is unpopular and even if we may persecuted because of our identification with Him.

II Timothy 3:10-14- Paul endured affliction and persecution for his faith and he expected that Timothy would as well and his counsel to Timothy was to continue.

Next we see the proper...

Response to Persecution

Before we consider what should be our response to persecution, we must consider the forms that this persecution may take as given us by the Lord Jesus.

Jesus says that men may revile you. This means to insult, to publically reproach, to mock and ridicule, or to defame.

We certainly see this taking place in our day as the media continuously mocks and ridicules Bible believing Christians as well many in academia who denounce the notion of God.

How many have experienced defamation and public reproach because of their stand for righteousness and for Christ?

Jesus also said that men will persecute you which means to oppress and harass. Many believers have experienced this unjust treatment and outright harassment because of their faith.

Finally Jesus says that they will say all manner of evil against you falsely making false accusations and telling lies about you.

How often have we seen a believer’s words twisted and their positions mischaracterized to provoke a strong reaction from others? How many times have false accusations and outright lies been told to advance a narrative or and agenda?

1 Peter 3:16–17 KJV 1900

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

So how then should we respond to such behaviors? Jesus instructs us to rejoice and be glad. This is certainly not the natural response to such treatment.

We are not to react in vengeance or to respond in kind to those who persecute us, but instead we ought to rejoice in suffering and be glad.

Acts 5:38-42- the disciples apparently learned this vital lesson as they rejoiced in persecution

1 Peter 3:14 KJV 1900

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:14 KJV 1900

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

We should count persecution as evidence that we are living as God would have us to live. Mistreatment by the world is the mark of those who are faithfully following Christ.

John 15:19–20 KJV 1900

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We too can rejoice in persecution knowing that it is for the sake of Christ, and that it is not in vain.

Finally we see the...

Reward for Persecution

Persecution is not something that is enjoyable when we experience it, but we must remember that our suffering for the cause of Christ secures for us eternal rewards.

Just as the prophets of old were persecuted and mistreated, so also may we receive this same treatment, but just as they were rewarded for their faithfulness, so also shall we be rewarded in heaven.

We may be called upon to suffer for righteousness and for the cause of Christ in this life, but we shall receive reward in the life to come.

Jesus Christ suffered cruelty at the hands of men who platted a crown of thorns upon His head and mocked and crucified Him and yet in heaven He is crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.

We may suffer here upon earth, but there is coming a day when we shall reign with Christ.

2 Timothy 2:9–12 KJV 1900

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Revelation 5:9–10 KJV 1900

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

We must remember that our suffering is not in vain if we suffer for righteousness’s sake and for Christ.

Romans 8:18 KJV 1900

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 KJV 1900

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We must fix our eyes on eternity recognizing that the persecution we may endure in this life will ultimately be our gain in eternity.

Conclusion

Have you experienced persecution for standing for right and standing for Christ?

If so, you should count yourself blessed realizing this is cause for rejoicing and gladness and that you will one day be rewarded for your suffering.

If you have not suffered persecution, might it be because you have not stood for right or stood for Christ?

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV 1900

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Let us not forget that Jesus Christ suffered the cruel cross to secure our salvation, has been exalted to the right hand of the throne of God, and now intercedes on behalf of all who call upon Him. Have you come to Him in faith and repentance trusting Him as savior?