Sermon – Beatitude #8 – Persecuted

• We’ve made it to the last week of our Beatitude series.  Next week is Palm Sunday; and the following week is Easter.  Please remain in earnest prayer on how you will serve; and who you will bring with you on those days.
  
  
• Our passage today is Matthew 5:10-12 (NLT), which says, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.  Be happy about it!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
  
  
• There are so many things in these three verses to cover; and hopefully I’ll do them justice:
  • key words used in this passage
  • what it meant to the original audience
  • how it ties into the previous beatitudes
  • other verses / passages on persecution
  • the level of persecution that believers may face
  • what it means for us today
  • what reward is this referring to

1 – Key Greek Words Used Here

• “dioko” …  to pursue – to persecute – to systematically oppress and harass a person or group
  
  
• “oneidizo” … heap insults on – denounce – find fault – rebuke – censure – reproach or revile
  
  
• “poneros” … bad – evil – wicked – crime – unsound – wrong – malignant – malevolent – impious – slothful – inactive – envious – covetous – the negative quality of an object – the negative moral quality of a person or action opposed to God and His goodness – the Evil One, (at title of Satan)
  
  
• “pseudomai” … to lie – speak untruths

2 – What It Meant To The Original Audience

• The Jewish audience knew what it meant to be persecuted.  They knew their history, which included times or enslavement and having to deal with other nations that wanted to destroy them.
  
  
• They knew about their current state … they were under Roman control and oppression.  They were not completely free to live as they wanted with a foreign ruler in their midst.
  
  
• Some listening may have decided to follow Jesus; and could have been persecuted because of that.  The book of Hebrews was written to encourage such believers to not abandon Jesus.
  
  
• Jesus’ words should be taken as encouragement; because God recognizes His own, their service, and cost it takes to follow Him and remain faithful.

3 – How It Ties Into The Other Beatitudes

• It may seem strange, odd, or weird that the Beatitudes take a turn when we get to the end.  In the previous verse Jesus is talking about peace; and then He talks about the possibility of facing hostility – being mocked, lied about, having wicked things said about you, and being persecuted.
  
  
• But this really shouldn’t shock anyone that is a faithful believer; especially if they’ve been one for any length of time.  If a committed believer is encompassing the other Beatitudes – maturing – growing – serving – striving – putting the Lord first, then they can expect persecution.
  
  
• Once a person gets saved … becomes a follower of Jesus … dedicates their life, resources, skills, abilities, and talents to God … They’ve declared their allegiance to Him; and the fallen, sinful world does not like that; and honestly the lukewarm and self-righteous don’t either.
  
  

4 – Other Verses / Passages About Persecution

• Matthew 13:20-21 (NLT) … The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long.  They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

• John 15:20 (NLT) … Do you remember what I told you?  A slave is not greater than the master.  Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you.  And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

• John 16:33b (NLT) … “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
  
  
• 2^nd Timothy 3:12 (NLT) … Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
  
  
• James 1:2 (NLT) … Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
  
  
• Revelation 2:10 (NLT) … Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you.  You will suffer for ten days.  But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

5 – The Levels of Persecution Believers May Face

• Being ignored … rejected … unfriended … blocked
• Being talked about … mocked … lied about … ridiculed
• Losing a job or being passed over for a promotion
• Having possessions confiscated
• Being jailed
• Being tortured
• Being killed
• Where a believer lives can impact the level of persecution they could be faced with.
  
  
• In this country, (USA), believers are generally shielded from the most extreme forms of persecution.  Usually, persecution will come in the forms of mockery and ridicule; or being ignored or rejected.  Our pleas for people to accept Christ or come to Bible studies fall on deaf ears.
  
  
• Sadly, in other areas of the world, some believers risk losing possessions, jobs, freedom, or even their lives if they are found out to be a Christian; or perhaps if they are try to evangelize.

• Depending on who you talk, the means or methods used, and the topics discussed; the level of persecution could vary.
  
  
• Some might be friendly and open enough to listen to you; but will ignore your invitation to come to church (any service or event); or your plea for them to accept the Gospel.
  
  
• Some are OK with you believing in Jesus if they don’t have to hear about Him; or you tell them they need to change how they are living.  If you approach them, some for the first time; and others perhaps repeatedly, they’ll reject or refuse you.  Some may even threaten you or harm you.
  
  
• There are many in the world that are OK with you having faith if they don’t have to hear about it.  That’s the whole “you do you” culture.  If your faith is private and remains as such, the world may not care what you believe – they just want you to remain silent; so they can “sin in peace.”
  
  
• Others, however, are openly anti-Christian; and work to silence all believers.  They openly mock, ridicule, and try to discredit believers and the Bible.
  
  
• Persecution happens in the on-line world too.  Some ignore our posts about Jesus and invitations to come to church, even if they “like” our posts.  Some may unfriend or block you based on what you share.  Others may share mean or untrue things about you; and they’ll search out believers or Christian pages to stir up trouble, post lies, try to discredit, or sow doubt.
  
  
• Some platforms will even ban certain people, organizations, businesses, or ministries if they post the “wrong” things.  If you go against “their” guidelines, (which are designed to limit sharing of the truth, if we are being honest), then you risk being placed in on-line jail for a limited time; or having your account suspended indefinitely. 

6 – What This Means For Us

• If you’re encompassing the other Beatitudes … if you’re faith is genuine and active … if you’re maturing, growing, serving, and sharing, then you can expect to be persecuted, in some form by nonbelievers, the lukewarm, the self-righteous, hypocrites, and “pharisees.”  Regardless, we are called to represent God in patiently enduring and overcoming persecution as part of our witness and preparation for His Kingdom.
  
  
• 2^nd Corinthians 5:20 (NLT), says, “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us.  We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
• Paul also says in Ephesians 6:20 (NLT), “I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador.  So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him, as I should.
  
  
• It could be argued that if a believer isn’t facing any persecution that they are not doing enough with their faith; that their faith isn’t important; or that their faith isn’t known to others.
  
  
• Of course, we’re not going to face any persecution if nobody knows we’re believers or what we believe.  If you remain silent and inactive, you risk having the dead faith that James speaks about.
  
  
• If you want to avoid persecution, then don’t do the following … (but it won’t do you or anyone else any good spiritually speaking):
  
  
• Share Your Testimony & The Gospel
  
  
• Stand Up For God’s Standards – promote the “good”
  
  
• Oppose Wickedness & Injustice – fight the “bad”
  
  
• Invite People To Church
  
  
• Live As You’re Supposed To / Shine Your Light
  
  
• If you’re committed to your faith – to sharing your testimony and the Gospel – to inviting people to accept Jesus – to inviting people to come to church with you – to living your life according to God’s standards, then yes, you may face some form of persecution.
  
  
• As mentioned earlier, in this country, at least for now, the more extreme forms of persecution are not faced by many.  Sadly, there are instances of violence, in this country, against people of faith, be it individuals or a mass gathering; that other areas of the world see more often.
  
  
• There are believers in some areas of the world that don’t enjoy the religious freedoms that too many here take for granted.  Many will claim that God comes first or that their faith is important to them; or that they would even die for their faith; but they won’t live it out and refuse to share it.
  
  
• How many believers in the more oppressed areas of the world would relish the opportunities that many here ignore; and would like to switch places with us so they can be more peaceful believers?
  
  
• How many of them would love to own a Bible, so they can read and study on their own?  How many of us neglect to read and study, when we even have them on our phones and computers?
  
  
• How many would love to freely gather with other believers for Sunday School; worship services; Bible studies; prayer meetings; men’s or women’s groups; or even VBS, game nights, holiday parties, or even board meetings because they’re not “allowed” to have an organized church?
  
  
• How many of us would hold up or collapse under the same circumstances?  We can freely believe, share, and gather; so why don’t we?

7 – What Reward Awaits For Enduring Like The Ancient Prophets

• God is not without sympathy for the difficulties these challenges pose believers.  He calls us blessed; and counsels us to rejoice and be glad, for great is our reward for successfully overcoming persecution.  Heaven awaits, but we are also in the Kingdom now, with access to the Lord, His comfort, guidance, and support; and if we’ll take it, also that of the Church and a local church.

• When persecution does happen, we could retaliate, sulk, lick our wounds in self-pity; or grin and bear it like “heroes.”  However, we are not to do any of those things; as Jesus tells us to rejoice.
  
  
• We should face persecution with Romans 5:3-4 and 8:18 in mind … We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation … What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.
  
  
• We are also not expected to keep knocking our heads against walls; and bringing more persecution and hostility on ourselves.  Granted, God may tell you to keep going; but once you present the Gospel to someone and they are placed at their “fork-in-the-road,” you’ve done your job.
  
  
• Matthew 7:6 tells us to not give dogs what is sacred; and to not cast our pearls before swine. 
  
  
• When Jesus sent out the Twelve (and also the 70/72), He told them that if someone (or a town) wasn’t receptive to their message to dust off their feet and move on.  When someone rejects you, your faith, your testimony, the Gospel, invitations to church … they are really rejecting Jesus.
  
  
• Persecution can prove the authenticity of our faith, put us into a noble succession of towering figures of faith who have preceded us, and guarantees us great reward in the Kingdom, both now and in Heaven later.  It may also put us into the company of many martyrs exalted in God’s word.
  
  
• Persecution – for Jesus’ sake – brings us into fellowship with Him because He suffered too.  If we suffer for His sake, we should rejoice.  He suffered so much to bring us forgiveness and to reconcile us to God; so why should we shy away from any discomfort that may come from serving Him?
  
  
• Persecution can bring out the best in our character; and can prove, again, if our faith is sincere, active, and truly important to us.  Persecution can keep us from certain sins as it makes us more aware of the impossibility of friendship with the world. 
  
  
• At first glance, persecution seems contradictory to the way and purpose of God.  Though we certainly do not wish it upon anyone, and though we sincerely hope we do not have to face it, we can understand that in the broad overview, that because of our enemy, it may be inevitable.
  
  
• God can, in His infinite grace and mercy, keep us from suffering any persecution at all; or prevent the persecution from “getting out of hand.”  Not every day of Jesus’ ministry or that of the Apostles or the Early Church was full of dread and turmoil.  Faith must trump fear; and we cannot allow any possible resistance or suffering to prevent us from fulfilling the Great Commission, growing in our faith, serving others, or putting all things under the “faith umbrella” – including church – FIRST!