“The Blessing No One Wants: Blessed Are The Persecuted.”
Matthew 5:10-12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for right-eousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
In the 25 years I have been the pastor here I have preached a little less than three thousand sermons (2908 to be exact). I can’t begin to remember them all and I know you can’t. But I do remember some of them for one reason or another. The message I preached on this passage is one of them. I preached through “The Sermon on the Mount” way back in 1996. I remember that as I sat trying to understand the meaning of this Beatitude about persecution I thought to myself, "John you really don't know what it means to be misunderstood and have evil things said of you and thought about you!"
And then, that very week I got the only anonymous hate letter I have ever received (at least to date). That Sunday I came to the pulpit and I said. “Well folks I got a letter from Satan this week, oh I don't believe he wrote it, he just dictated it! It hardly seems possible that at the very time I am working on an exposition of these scriptures, that I receive the most scathing, bitter denouncement of my ministry. My preaching, my leadership and even my family were not immune in the barrage that was unleashed.”
The letter that I had received caused me to remember a quote from another preacher that I had read sometime earlier. His statement pretty much sums up how I felt. He said "A couple of times in my life I have been reviled and lied about. At first I was somewhat overwhelmed to discover what I thought was good, others considered evil: to find what I thought was mercy, others found objectionable; and to learn what I knew was right, others viewed as grounds for job dismissal. I went to God and filed a complaint, "Lord, they are on my back: Lord they are persecuting me." Now I expected that the Lord would say, "My, how I pity you. I want you to know how terrible I feel about all of this." Instead God said, "Congratulations"."[Haddon Robinson, The Christian Salt and Light Company, p. 91]
After I received that letter I think I understand, what this eighth and final Beatitude is talking about but I am not sure I like it! This beatitude speaks of a blessing no one wants – the blessing that comes to those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. In this message I want to examine with you the truth of these verses.
There are six facts that make this beatitude impossible to ignore: 1). It is the last beatitude, 2). It is the longest beatitude (three verses), 3). It is the only beatitude with a command-“rejoice,” 4). It is the only beatitude with an explanation, 5). It is the only beatitude that is repeated by Jesus, and 6). It is the only beatitude addressed directly to the reader. This matter is so important that Jesus even changes from the third person "they" or “those” in which all the other Beat-itudes are written, to the second person "you" in verse eleven in order to focus our attention on the personal application.
There are three things that I want to draw from the text today.
First, The Persecution We Will Endure
This last beatitude is really two in one, a single beatitude repeated and expanded. The word "perse-cuted" occurs three times in these verses. It must be important!
• The Certainty Of Persecution: It Will Happen, Bank On It!
Persecution is a reality. We all know that the early Christians suffered extreme persecution. During the first century, almost all of Jesus’ disciples suffered martyrdom for His sake. Multiplied thousands lost their lives in the first 300 years of Christianity. But perse-cution is still a present reality to many Christians today.
Christians are still being put to death for their faith. In the Sudan, thousands of Christians have been massacred by Muslim armies. In Indonesia, churches have been burned and Christians have been murdered. According to the Open Doors Organization, “100 million Christians around the globe are currently suffering persecution for their faith. Most often perse-cution takes the form of imprisonment, abuse, and hostilities. In some cases, however, Christians are asked to face more than scorn, prison, or the loss of health—they are asked to face death.” [www.opendoorsusa.org. “Christian Martyrs in Today’s World.” ]
John Hanford, aide to Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana notes that, “On a worldwide basis, Christians are the most persecuted major religion in terms of direct punishment for practicing religious activities–public worship, evangelism, charity.” We know about it, he says, because the press refuses to report it.” [quoted by Chuck Colson. Christianity Today. “Tortured for Christ–and Ignored.” March 4, 1996]
But Christians in America are not suffering physical persecution for our faith….yet. But in some ways we may experience just as great a challenge, not the courage to die for our faith but the courage to live for our faith. What I would really want to draw to your attention is that although some in our country preach a “prosperity gospel” that tickles people’s ears, Jesus preached a persecution gospel.
In John 15:18-20, Jesus warned His disciples to expect persecution, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. (19) "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. (20) "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.”
Paul warns his son in the faith Timothy that persecution comes to all those who truly lives faithful lives, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
Peter warned believers not to be shocked when they were persecuted, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." (1 Peter 4:12)
• The Meaning of Persecution
What persecution is not!
There is no promise of happiness for those who are persecuted for being a nuisance, for Christians who have shown themselves to be offensive, difficult, and insulting to their co-workers and neighbors. The sad reality is that many times Christians are not persecuted for their Christianity but for their lack of it!
Neither does this beatitude mean “Blessed are those who are persecuted for wrongdoing.” You can not claim persecution because you were arrested for shooting an abortionist. Abortion is wrong, I will go even further and call it what is, it is a sin, but so is taking a gun and blowing away a doctor.
• What Persecution is!
In general neither does this beatitude apply to trouble you bring on yourself. The key to understanding this teaching is in recognizing the significance of the second phrase of verse ten, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Some people suffer because they make poor decisions, but that’s not persecution, it is simply cause and effect. The overall implication of course is that not every one that claims to be persecuted is actually undergoing persecution, some are simply suffering the consequences of their own foolishness.
Verse ten and eleven reveal the various ways in which persecution can come against a believer. There are three words used in this verse to describe the form this opposition will take. In verse ten of our text we are told the overall tactic of the enemy concerning Christ-ians, persecution. The word translated “persecute” (dediomenoi) in Greek literally means “to pursue, to drive or chase away.” Then in verse eleven two more devices of the enemy are revealed when we read, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” First, is the verbal insults – revealed in the use of the word – “revile"- which literally means to cast in one's teeth and carries the idea of criticizing severely with the aim of discrediting and then there also false accusations -"say all manner of evil against you” – which means harsh, abusive words usually said behind our backs. One crucial word to make sure we do not miss is the word, “falsely.”
“If I get in trouble because I talk too much or because I meddle or because I try to force my faith on other people, that is not persecution. If I am promoting my own cause and men reject me, that is not persecution. If I am arrogant and abusive in my attempt to witness for Christ, and people want nothing to do with me, that is not persecution. But if I seek to do His will and honor His name and I suffer, then that is persecution.” [Warren Weirsbe. “Live Like a King: Developing a Royal Lifestyle from the Beatitudes.” (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1976) p. 173]
Second, The Promise We Have Been Given
"… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
Jesus does not say “theirs (will be) the kingdom of God,’ but rather says “theirs is the kingdom of God” – right now! This is the promise this is not just for the future but for right now.
As one suffers as they stand for Christ, they get the Kingdom of God now. They get the presence of God, now, for as Peter says, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…”(1 Peter 4:14) When suffer for his name they get the power of God, now. They get the provision of God, now. They get protection of God, now!
Third, The Position We Should Take - An Attitude Of Joy – 5:12
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus promises that the reward for the faithful is “great” (polus) with means not just great but “immeasurably great.”
In verse twelve the follower of Jesus is told to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” The verb for “rejoice” is an imperative, in other words it is not a suggestion, it is a command. If persecution does come our way, not because of stubborn egotism or a self righteous attitude, but because of our stance as a true believer of Christ, then Jesus tells us to rejoice. However that does not suggest the one should seek or enjoy persecution that is perverse.
We are not to retaliate like an unbeliever, we are not to sulk like a child nor are we to lick our wounds in self-pity, we are not called to just grin and bear it like a Stoic, nor are we to just pretend to enjoy it like a Masochist. We are called to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” - literally skip and hop with excitement.
But, How Does A Christian Rejoice In Persecutions?
What Are The Things, Which We Can Know That Will Allow Rejoicing In Persecution? [The following five principles were gleaned from James Montgomery Boice. “The Sermon the Mount.” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972) pp. 63-65]
1. We Can Rejoice In Persecution Because We Know That It Is A Demonstration Of Our Identity.
The point of the latter part of verse twelve where it says, “…for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” is that persecution identifies us as a part of the faith. If we never experience ridicule, criticism or rejection because of our faith, we have reason to examine the genuineness of it.
Few men have understood this better than Dietrich Bonheoffer. Bonheoffer was a Lutheran pastor imprisoned during WWII for his stand against Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He was executed by the direct order of Heinrich Himmler in April 1945 in Flossenburg Concentration Camp only a few days before it was liberated. While imprisoned he wrote; “Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above his master. Following Christ means…. Suffering because we have to suffer…. Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact, it is a joy and token of his grace.” [Dietrich Bonhoffer. “The Cost of Discipleship.” As quoted in John Stott. Essential Living: The Sermon On the Mount. (Great Britain: InterVarsity Press, 1988). p. 53]
When the church was persecuted the book of Acts
(5:41) says that when they were released, “… they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
It Is A Demonstration Of Our Identity and…
2. We Can Rejoice In Persecution Because We Know That God Uses Persecution To Refine Us.
Peter warns believers that persecution is the furnace in which God refines and purifies us and removes the impurities from our lives. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (8) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:6-8)
God Uses Persecution To Refine Us and…
3. We Can Rejoice In Persecution Because We Know That It Give Us The Opportunity To Show the Difference that Christ Makes In A Person’s Life.
If everything is going well with you and you rejoice, what makes you different from all the non-believers around you?
Persecution gives us the opportunity to show the difference that Christ makes in our lives…
4. We Can Rejoice In Persecution Because We Know of The Promise Of Rewards.
The promise of verse twelve is, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” Some Christians consider it less than spiritual to think in terms of rewards, yet the writer of Hebrews wrote (11:26) that even the great man, Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God because “he looked to the reward.”
Jesus reminds all of His followers that they must determine their values from a perspective of eternity. The apostle reminds the church at Corinth of this when he wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) 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.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
5. We Can Rejoice In Persecution Because We Know That Jesus Is Near When We Are Suffering.
The Old Testament tells us that when God’s people were in bondage and suffering, God was mindful of them (Ex. 2:23-25). And at the time of the Judges, God shared the hurt of his people, “that he could no longer endure the misery” of his people (Judges 10:16). God is always present when His people are hurting.
Think of the story of the courage of the three Hebrew young men; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, cast into the fiery furnace for their faith in God. Yet when the king looking to the flames, he asked, “…Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?....I see four men loose and walking in the midst of the fire…and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Dan. 2:24-25)
That angel of the His presence is none other than the Jesus of today and we have His promise in Matthew 28:20, “…and lo, I am with you always even until the end of the age” and that is never more true than when we suffer for his name sake.
Conclusion
When we as Christians can anchor ourselves in the five great truths that we have just looked at them persecution can result in rejoicing. Based on the knowledge we have gained that
1. Persecution Is A Demonstration Of Our Identity
2. God Uses Persecution To Refine Us.
3. Persecution Give Us The Opportunity To Show the Difference that Christ Makes In A Person’s Life.
4. Because We Know of The Promise Of Rewards
5. Because We Know That Jesus Is Near When We Are Suffering.
“The Blessing No One Wants: Blessed Are The Persecuted.”
Matthew 5:10-12
First, The________________ We Will Endure
• The _______________ of Persecution (Jn. 15:18-20)
It Will Happen, Bank On It! (2 Tim 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12)
• The _______________ of Persecution
Second, The _______________ We Have Been Given
"… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
Third, The _______________ We Should Take - An Attitude Of Joy
What Are The Things, Which We Can Know That Will Allow Rejoicing In Persecution?
• Persecution Is A Demonstration Of Our _______________
God Uses Persecution To __________ Us.
• Persecution Give Us The Opportunity To Show _____________ that Christ Makes In A Person’s Life.
• Because We Know of The Promise Of _________________
• Because We Know That Jesus Is ______________ When We Are Suffering.
