Blessed are those who are persecuted...

April 22, 2018

Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)

 

 

10   “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11   “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12   Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   

The godly are called ‘living stones’ (I Peter 2:5) and they must be hewn and polished by the persecutors hand that they may fit the heavenly building.  The saints have no ‘Charter of Exemption’ from trials.”  … “They must hang their harps on the willows, and take up the cross.”

Thomas Watson (1620-1686)

 

 

 

• 
  God does not lower His standards just because we don’t live up to it. ....
• So He gives us Jesus Christ, so that Christ can work through us to meet the standard!

 

The Greek word “to persecute” signifies ‘to vex and molest’ sometimes ‘to prosecute another’ to ‘arraign him at the bar’ and ‘to pursue him to the d_______’”

 

Verse 11  a_________ what is meant here... included in the idea of persecution are, insults, and lies that are spoken of one....

 

 

He is not saying “blessed are they that are persecuted”!

 

What He says is “blessed are those who are persecuted because of r________________!!

 

What this really means is that they are truly blessed who are determined to, by God’s Grace, live as C_________ lived!

 

those who are like Him will be p_____________......!!! 

 

J_______ 1:2-4 states; “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.   Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

I ________ 5:10 tells us, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

 

“‘No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me (And they sure did), they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching (and they did not), they will obey yours also.... If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.  He who hates me hates my Father as well. (John 15:20-23)