Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction:
My name is Adam, I’m the pastor here at Abide church.
I’m also a professor at CBC.
I teach Accounting and Economics courses.
This is our final week of our mini series on “How To Be Happy” but only the beginning of our meta series on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”
Eric will be preaching the next 4 weeks and I can’t wait for us to be blessed with what he is preparing.
I will continue the “Sermon on the Mount” series January 5th.
This is the 8th and final beatitude.
Some have noted that the 2nd “blessed are” here is a sort of double emphasis or double blessing.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
- The Meaning
- The Location
- The Achieving
- The Result
The Meaning
For the meaning, I want to turn to Peter.
Peter was a close disciple, one of the inner circle.
Peter was here when Jesus preached this original sermon.
How does this play out for Peter?
So they took his advice,
Peter was taught by Jesus and lived out this teaching radically.
Peter teaches us more in his letter to the church:
The Meaning
[SLIDE]
1.
Through persecution, Christians are united to Jesus.
Through persecution, we get to share in a unique fellowship with Jesus.
Jesus was hated, we will be hated
Jesus was mocked, we will be mocked
Jesus was put to death, we may even be put to death
Just as we share in Jesus’ suffering, we share in his life, his victory, his resurrection, and his inheritance.
To be united to Christ is to be blessed.
[SLIDE]
2. Through persecution, Christians proclaim the gospel.
Through persecution, we get to show God’s love to the world
Just as Jesus loved his enemies, so to can we love our enemies
Just as Jesus suffered unjustly to bring redemption to the world, we too can suffer unjustly to bring the redemption to the world
Just as Jesus laid aside his own comfort and honor bring salvation to mankind, we too can lay aside our own comfort and honor to bring salvation to mankind
The way Christians respond to persecution and suffering might be the most significant way the gospel is demonstrated.
[SLIDE]
3. Through persecution, Christians are prepared for the weight of Jesus’ glory.
Paul also had something to say about a coming glory.
James also weighs in on this topic.
The Location
Why did Jesus put this last on the list?
I can only speculate.
Even though there is blessing in persecution, it is a call to count the cost.
To side with Jesus or to side with the world.
We must choose:
Will we be hated by the world?
OR
Will we be hated by God?
There is also a beautiful progression in all the beatitudes; each one leads to the next:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
(It’s only by acknowledging our sin before God that we can enter the kingdom of God)
Blessed are those who mourn
(As we begin to understand our sin, we are brought to repentance and mourning, but God comforts us with his forgiveness)
Blessed are the meek
(This leads us to be meek, to understand that we don’t have to fight because Jesus fought for us)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
(When we understand our victory in Jesus, we get hungry and thirsty for the righteousness of Jesus)
Blessed are the merciful
(As we see the righteousness of Jesus, we see the lavish mercy he has poured out on us we can’t help but show mercy to others)
Blessed are the pure in heart
(By the mercy of God we receive pure hearts from God through faith, and with this purity we have direct access to God in Christ)
Blessed are the peacemakers
(Just as Jesus came to the world to bring peace (that is, reconciliation to God) we continue in Jesus’ mission to bring the message of peace, the gospel, to the world)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake
(As we bring this message of peace to the world, we will be hated because we are united to Christ.
But we will not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.)
The Achieving
What if I’m not experiencing persecution?
John MacArthur says this about Christians who are not persecuted:
When Christians are not persecuted in some way by society it means that they are reflecting rather than confronting that society.
And when we please the world we can be sure that we grieve the Lord
This is not meant to be condemnation but exhortation
I am not trying to make you feel guilt over the lack of persecution in your life, but rather encourage you to live for Jesus even if you think it might bring persecution.
The Result
We begin and end with “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The sermon on the mountain is all about Jesus introducing us to his kingdom.
The people in Jesus day wanted so badly for Jesus to come, overthrow the Romans and establish a kingdom on earth of prosperity and lavish living.
Jesus said I am coming to establish a kingdom, but it’s not like you’re thinking.
This kingdom is for the poor in spirit, for the humble.
This kingdom is for those who unite themselves with me,
and just as I am coming as the suffering servant
so will those who are united with me suffer and serve.
Jesus is establishing a kingdom, and all who put their trust in him for reconciliation with God are invited to that kingdom.
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