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TWICE BLESSED
(Matthew
5:10-12)
…Do you know
that as a Christian you a __picture__ of Jesus? It is true. Even though
our children’s Bible may have a picture of Jesus in it, we really __don’t__
know what Jesus looked like. But if you are saved, the Beatitudes are being
formed in you by the Holy Spirit so that your person and being portray our Lord.
…The eighth
and final Beatitude is totally different from the others. The first seven
Beatitudes are internal, and the 8th one, persecution, comes as a __result__
of the first 7.
…Those of us
who live out the first 7 Beatitudes are guaranteed at some __point__ in
life to experience the 8th. “Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
THREE
INSIGHTS REGARDING THIS SUFFERING FOR CHRISTLIKENESS THAT SHOULD CAUSE YOU TO
REJOICE.
I.
You Are
Given A Double
__Blessing__
By Jesus When You Suffer For Him.
A.
This is the
__only__
Beatitude that Jesus actually used the word “blessed” twice.
1.
Our Lord never
__wastes__
words…like some politicians do. No!
2.
It is God Himself who is doing the blessing of those who are persecuted.
B.
Know that this suffering is only as a
result of living righteously.
1.
Note what it is not: not poor
__judgment__….it
is not being offensive.
2.
It means to be
__like__
Jesus, living out the Beatitudes.
C.
This persecution is the
__opposite__
of what we might expect. Why would Beatitude people not be welcomed by our
world? (a mourning, meek, merciful, peacemaking people)
1.
The world
__hated__
Jesus, so it will hate us, His followers. Don’t be surprised. Loyalty to
Christ creates
__friction__
in the hearts of unbelievers. (John 15:18-20)
2.
Our world loves the darkness more than the light. It is in
__open__
rebellion against God. Our world loves
__sin__.
II.
You Are
Forewarned by Jesus That Suffering May Come In Several Ways.
…Happily,
this persecution is __not__ constant in life. “Whenever”
A.
You may find yourself suffering
__physical__
persecution as you live for the Lord.
1.
The idea of this is to be “chased” or “pursued.”
…it is
physical harassment.
2.
The word “persecute” here is passive showing that Christians
__allow__
themselves to be persecuted.
…It is to be
endured. (prison, loss of job) A continuous willingness to endure.
…It may mean
__death__. (like Paul) John Knox, who was burned at the stake.
B.
You may suffer from
__verbal__
insults and hurtful words from others.
…This means
to use abusive language, to mock you to your face. (Jesus, Matthew 26:67)
C.
You may suffer from
__false__
accusations.
…These are
the abusive words said __behind__ your back.
…Look what
they said about Jesus. (Matthew 11:19) “He eats with them…”
…Slander is hard to take because it is harder to
__defend__ against than direct
accusation.
III. You
Are Commanded To Rejoice When Called To Suffer For Christ.
A.
When persecution visits you, rejoice.
Don’t be
__bitter__
or revengeful. Rather, rejoice greatly.
B.
Why are suffering Christians to
respond as such?
1.
Jesus tells that
__great__
is your reward in heaven. When Jesus uses the word “great” you can count on it
really being great!
2.
When we suffer for Him, we are
identified with an elite
__group__
of people…the prophets. What a group! (Hebrews 11:35-38) Daniel, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, etc
3.
You also have additional assurance that you
__belong__
to Him and going to heaven.
4.
It is a special joy to know that you suffered on account of Jesus who suffered
so much for us. (Acts 5:41 “rejoicing because counted worthy of suffering…”
…Chysostom…wonderfully
illustrates this!!!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Don't be
surprised when your godliness sooner or later generates hostility from others.
2. Following
Jesus involves a cost.
3. As a
Christian, always fix your eyes on the end.
4. Come and
join those who follow the Lord.
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