Blessed For Christ's Sake

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Physical

Oppression

Suppression

Blessed Are You When All Kind of Evil Is Spoke About You Falsely For Christ Sake!

Evil

Backstabbing

Talk behind the back

Slander

Lies

Conspiracies

Falsely

1 Peter 4:12–14 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Peter talks about doing things for the Glory of God. In verses 12-14 Peter talks about suffering for the glory of God!

Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad For Great is Reward in Heaven!

This Rejoicing is internal and eternal.

Sticks and stones illustration

Exceedingly

Great

Reward

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul talks about seeing the invisible.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

As Paul see’s imminent death he begins to refer to his reward.

As times get harder Christians better start looking more at the reward than life on this side.

Life on this side will get more miserable for the Christian.

As Jesus gets closer and men continue to fall away persecution will be worse.

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Jesus continues to instruct the disciples and drops this nugget.

Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad Because You Are Persecuted Like The Prophets!

Jeremiah went into captivity

Daniel was thrown in the Lions Den for speaking the truth of God!

The Chronicler said:

2 Chronicles 36:15–16 NKJV

And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

Moses:

Hebrews 11:23–29 NKJV

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

Acts 5:41 NKJV

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

James 5:10 NKJV

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

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