Blessed are those who are Persecuted

Where we have come...

Working our way through the beatitudes:

Poor in Spirit - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Those who mourn - for they will be comforted

Meek - inherit the earth

Hunger and thirst for righteousness - filled

Merciful - shown mercy

Pure in Heart - see God

Peacemakers: They will be children of God.

Catching a glimpse of the kingdom values - the way jesus is proclaiming to people that are like this that they should be happy and glad because God sees them and wants to reward them!

All in all this starts to wrap up this week and next.

If you live this way and identify this way things will get hard...

Todays: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Sharp contrast to Pharisitic values - work harder to earn the kingdom of God

Sharp contrast to modern values - every man for themselves, you get what you deserve,

If we belong to Jesus commit our heart to him, assume that persecution will happen!

The Gospel compels us to live different lives

Example: Hockey mates at Tournament: Activities, Drinking and if you dont do them you are something...

What is committing to Jesus costing you?

Upside down (or right way up) kingdom - which lead me on to point 2:

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven...

This passage starts and ends with the same message: “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This refers to the people who acknowledge God as their King and who may, therefore, confidently look forward to the fulfilment of his purpose in their lives.

France, Richard T. 1994. “Matthew.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 4th ed., 910. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.

If we truly live this out, it may cost you some things those things above.

But Jesus promises - there are greater riches than these. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are part of his new covenant.

Cup: When I come to communion I am reminded of my allegiance, I am reminded that I am called to live the life Jesus calls me to. I am reminded of the promise of Jesus.

Hence it being such an important act for us to orientate around.

I drink of the cup Jesus drank of - which means drinking of a cup that meant giving over our selfish desires or desires of the flesh and giving our allegiance to Jesus.

Now in our world sometimes this persecuted thing does not seem that real because we dont have to blatantly give up allegiance in this country to be a Christian. Its not as in our face.

What about giving up your allegiance to your political views and what would benefit you?

What about giving up pleasures of life because they cause hurt to others?

What about giving up your Sunday, is that hard?

What about giving up your house to care for young people in care?

We have given our allegiance to something in this world, our heart is consumed for something - for some in this world they give up families, lives, homes.

AYM Houses...

Giving up their lifestyle for the sake of young people

Giving up friends and the culture that comes along with that

Giving up their own room

Yet they are finding out so much more! They are trying to live a wholehearted life following God and are finding out that it rubs up against others in this world.

Why do you do that? Why would you live there?

They are for me a great example of people who have chosen to give their lives away for the sake of others and live lives that are in allegiance with Jesus. That’s where the rub happens.

The hope though is that Jesus is promising us so much more! The kingdom of heaven promises to be a space where all will flourish with no more pain, hurting, crying.

Is it invitation or challenge?

With all these beatitudes these can either be invitation or challenge:

For those that are following Jesus and wholeheartedly trying to set their allegiance to the kingdom of God. Those who are finding out that this world rubs up against kingdom values and you experience some persecution for it. This will be good news because you are promised reward.

For those that are not in that state this will be challenge because Jesus is asking us again to set our hearts and minds on his and we realise that fallenness of humanity and that we do not do that all the time.

What is it for you?