Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness

Introduction

Read Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV).

According to Open Doors, 1 out of 8 Christians alive today lives under persecution because of their faith. See Matt 5:10.

Body

Why should we expect persecution if we’re following Jesus? Why should we anticipate resistance when we’re serving God?

We should expect persecution as we follow Jesus because we are living right-side up in an upside-down world. We should anticipate resistance as we serve God because we are living life a totally different way—the way of Jesus.

Explanation

Beau said, “The first time you read through the beatitudes, you think Jesus is turning everything upside down. The second time you read through them, you realize no, it’s the world that’s upside down. Jesus is turning things right-side up.”

Long quote from John Stott:

“Persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value-systems.

“The beatitudes paint a portrait of Christian disciples. We see them first alone on their knees before God, acknowledging their spiritual poverty and mourning over it. This make them meek or gentle in all their relationships, for they confess themselves to be guilty before God. Yet they are far from acquiescing in their sinfulness, for they hunger and thirst after righteousness, longing to grow in grace and in goodness.

“We see them next with others, out in the human community. Their relationship with God does not cause them to withdraw from society, nor are they insulated from the world’s pain. On the contrary, they are in the thick of it, showing mercy to those battered by adversity and sin. They are transparently sincere, pure in heart, in all their dealings and seek to play a constructive role as peacemakers. Yet they are not thanked for their efforts, but rather opposed, slandered, insulted and persecuted on account of the righteousness for which they stand and the Christ with whom they are identified.

“Such is the man or woman who is ‘blessed,’ that is, who has the approval of God and finds fulfillment as a human being.”

The world’s value-system is in direct conflict with God’s.

The world judges the rich to be blessed, not the poor.

The world says the good life is found in self-indulgence, not in taking evil so seriously you mourn over it.

The world idolizes the strong and those who dominate others, and scorns the meek and gentle, the merciful, and the peacemakers.

The world tells you to take what you want, even if you have to compromise your integrity to get it—just don’t get caught. You’re only guilty if you get caught. The world turns its nose up at do-gooders who seek to be pure in heart, even if it costs them.

The world tells you you’re blessed if you’re popular, part of the in-crowd, accepted by the culture around you—not if you suffer persecution.

The world is walking the path that leads to death. Christians are on the way of life.

Illustration: A middle school student who is laughed at, slandered, lied about, and insulted at school because of their faith.

Application

We should be surprised if we are not persecuted.

Does that mean everyone who’s not a Christian yet is out to get you? No… Does that mean we should withdraw from the world and hole up in our holy huddle until Christ returns? No...

How should we respond when we suffer for Christ? What do we do when we face resistance to serving God?

When we suffer for Christ, we should rejoice. When we face resistance to serving God, we should be glad.

Explanation

Matt 5:12… We don’t retaliate. We don’t sulk. We don’t wallow in self-pity. We don’t paint a plastic smile on our face and pretend like it doesn’t hurt. But in the midst of the pain, we turn our eyes to heaven and say, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Why do we rejoice when we suffer?

We rejoice because, “your reward is great in heaven” (Matt 5:12b).

“We may lose everything on earth, but we will inherit everything in Heaven.”

God sees your suffering, and he is with you (Ps 56:8).

We rejoice because suffering is the badge of true discipleship (Matt 5:12c).

Popularity is the mark of the false prophet. Persecution is the mark of the true disciple of Jesus.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Suffering is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above the master. Following Christ means allegiance to the suffering of Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact, it is a joy and a token of his grace.”

Philippians 3:10

Illustration: Metzger, p. 87

Application: There are two predominant ways by which we come to know God: through the Word and through suffering.

Conclusion

Pray for one another.

Pray for persecuted Christians around the world (Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs).