Persecuted for Righteousness
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Beatitudes #8 - Persecuted
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
- This is important! There are eight beatitudes – Jesus only expands this one. (Matthew 5:11-12)
- This is difficult! Many times we take the Word of God and apply our own thoughts and preferences to it.
- Three Positions on the Bible
- The Bible is above me
- The Bible is equal to me
- The Bible is below me
- Our position on the Bible
- The Bible is above me
- I don’t make up my mind and then try to make the Bible support it, I read the Bible and then make up my mind (This is very often where we all start out)
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (context – end of the Ten Commandments)
You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.
Proverbs 4:26-27
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
One of the things that often happens is that we go off the path – no matter how good our intentions and thoughts we often swerve off one side. Persecution is no different. I’ll give you the two sides and then we can look at the proper path.
Swerving to the left and right:
- Some will be very uncomfortable with the thought of persecution (ignore it, pretend it’s not out there)
- We can just be friends with everyone
- Some will be excited about it and see persecution behind every rock and tree
- Key phrases – see how we’re being persecuted
- Or – it won’t be long now until we’re persecuted
- Sermons on persecution
The early church didn’t rejoice because of persecution but rather because what persecution says about them
- Acts 5 – apostles - Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
- Yay I’m getting hit with a whip – that’s something completely different
What we will attempt to do this morning is to move back from the right and left and get on track with what this means. We’ll start by defining persecution.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Defining Persecution
- Greek – chased, driven away
- Mud Illustration (Neighbor's dog that I chased away)
- Persecute - pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, esp. because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently
Jesus doesn’t just say “blessed are the persecuted”
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus goes on to say – not just persecuted but persecuted for righteousness sake…
What are you persecuted for?
- Justice is not persecution
- Illustration (Ken Hovind - don't mention name)
- Facts and Figures 10 years 58 tax evasion charges
- Backgrounds
- Tax Evasion Attempts
- Anything I signed doesn’t count
- Bankruptcy
- I’m not a citizen anymore
- I’m really a missionary
- “Let me go to Africa”
- Somewhere in there – I don’t believe in taxes so I shouldn’t have to pay
- We believe him to be completely innocent of the alleged crime of "tax evasion", and furthermore believe his 10 year sentence to be patently unjust and based upon an effort to silence his ministry.
- Crucify
- 1 Peter 2:20 - or what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
- A bad response to bad behavior is not persecution
- When someone treats you badly because you’re an arrogant jerk – that is not persecution.
- Illustration (Westborough Baptist Church - once again don't mention names)
- Protested a hardware store that sold Swedish vacuums
o Many Christians, who behave badly, try and justify their behavior: “But I’m just speaking the truth”
· It not only what you say that matters
· How you say it, is important as well
§ Ephesians 4:15 – Rather, speaking the truth in love…
§ 1 Peter 3:13-17 Go through this passage
§ Some believe that it only matters what you say – not so
· I’ve hear people say this “people can’t handle the truth” the question is – the truth or the way you present it?
·
· Not all conflict is persecution
o Persecution has become a very politically charged word. Often to make a political impact, we claim persecution where only disagreement or conflict exists.
o Tolerance is greatly lowered – if you think a simple disagreement is persecution --
§ Brandon Illustration – cream of mushroom soup
§ Boy who cried wolf
Persecuted for righteousness
“This final beatitude does not say, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are objectionable, or because they rave like wild-eyed fanatics, or because they pursue some religio-political cause.’ This blessing is restricted to those who suffer persecution because of righteousness. The believers described in this passage are those determined to live as Jesus lived.”
D
· Righteousness means conforming to a standard
· Righteousness (in a Christian Context) means conforming to God’s standard
o True Righteousness is exemplified in Jesus
o 1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption
o Ephesians 4:24 - put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Persecuted for being and doing good – Brandon illustration from school
3rd -4th grade teacher
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
· There are two beatitudes that sum up all the others
o You must be poor in spirit to enter the kingdom of heaven
o You must be righteous to enter the kingdom of heaven
· This beatitude should cause to examine our life
o If I’m not persecuted, am I truly righteous?
§ You aren’t opposed when you aren’t doing anything
o If others don’t treat me like Jesus, how much do I really look like him?
§ John 15:20 - If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
We’ve spent a lot of time this morning working to narrow down persecution; we’ve even said righteousness leads to persecution… now I want to expand this just a little bit. Some of you may be saying – I need to suffer physical violence to prove I’m a Christian?
Expanding Persecution
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
· Jesus does not just limit persecution to physical violence
a. Persecution like wings comes in several different varieties
i. Mild – honey bbq – words
ii. Meadium –
1. F.O. Nelson (Religious Aspects of Swedish Immigration)
2. Heard about Jesus in New York City
3. Hamburg Germany
4. New Years Day 1850
5. King Oscar
6. King Charles 15th – December 11, 1860
· Is this really important
· If they did it
i. Blazing
1. Persecution
Iran – death/prison
2. 200 million - 60% are children
a. India – go to church as a Christian you may be killed
· Christians should not be surprised by persecution
· Jesus’ disciples determine their values from the perspective of eternity
a. Cornerstone
· When you are persecuted you are in good company
Ultimatly how do we deal with this?
Jesus
Gave Thanks –
1 Corinthians
Passover