THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
There are 5 key truths to keep in mind as we study the Beatitudes, or the “Beautiful Attitudes” that belong to a child of the King.
1. These teachings are not just suggestions, but the COMMANDS of Christ our Lord about what every disciple ought to be.
2. These statements are all descriptions of SALVATION. It is not just a description of discipleship or how to grow spiritually. It is a true portrait of salvation. If we don’t obtain mercy, we are still living under judgement. If we aren’t called the sons of God, we are outside the family.
3.The Beatitudes refute the FALSE TEACHING which says that, if you just believe there is a God, you can live any way you want and go to Heaven.
4. Fourthly, the Beatitudes are not for a future MILLENNIAL Kingdom only. Of course, we will live like this in glorified bodies, but they are also for today as followers of Christ live in the midst of a world of evil and darkness.
5. Fifthly, the Beatitudes are not just meant for super-star Christians but for ALL OF THE BODY of Christ because there are no super stars. There is one Lord and He alone is worthy of our praise.
The first sixteen verses of Matthew 5 describe the true Christian and deal with CHARACTER. The rest of the Sermon on the Mount deals with CONDUCT that grows out of character.
Thus, Character always comes before Conduct because WHAT WE ARE determines more than anything what WE DO.
Jesus also shows us in the Beatitudes that true righteousness is INWARD, not outward. Therefore, He exposed the false righteousness of the Pharisees, who taught that holiness consisted in religious actions and that sins was what you did outwardly. How many people, even in the Church, are confused on that issue today! God looks upon the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
WHAT IS RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION?
Matthew 5:10 deals with persecution of the followers of Christ.
What does that imply?
Religious Persecution is the act of harassing, oppressing, or murdering people simply because of their difference from societal norms. It is not limited to Christians, but the majority of religious persecution in the world today is focused on the Body of Christ. Why?
One of the main reasons that Christianity is a curse to many cultures is because of the clear teaching of our Lord and Savior that refutes the false and popular teaching of UNIVERSALISM. This false doctrine teaches that all humans are children of God and all will end up in Heaven eventually, regardless of the path they take.
Jesus was crystal clear on this issue. He made that statement in John 14:6 that “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father in Heaven, except through Me.”
Other religions and cultures of the world are offended at this statement. It implies that Christianity has the only truth and all others teaching lies. However, the real issue is that Christians are not greater than Buddhists, for example, but that Jesus is greater than Buddha, for there is no one like him. Jesus said, “I and the Father are ONE” (John 10:30).
For a man to make that statement, He must be one of three things:
• Is he the LORD from glory, the Son of God?
• Is he a LIAR who deceived others?
• Is he a LUNATIC who deceived himself?
You cannot remain neutral when a man is claiming to be God in the flesh.
GREAT QUOTES ON PERSECUTION
“One of the greatest paradoxes in Christian history is that the Church is most pure in times of PERSECUTION. When things are easy and good, that is when the Church often goes astray and becomes worldly. When Christianity seems identical with the culture and even when the Church seems to be enjoying its greatest earthly success, then it is weakest. Conversely, when the Church encounters hardship, persecution, and suffering, then it is closest to its crucified Lord, then there are fewer hypocrites and nominal believers among its members, and then the faith of Christians burns most intensely.” (John R. Stott)
George F. MacLeod - “The greatest criticism of the church today is that no one wants to persecute it because there is nothing very much to persecute it about!”
FORMS OF PERSECUTION
When we look at Persecution in the Bible, we see these various forms:
• Beating - Isaiah 50:6
• Stoning - Acts 14:19
• Mocking - Luke 23:11
• Insults: Matthew 5:11, Psalm 69:9
• Ostracism - John 9:22
• Intimidation and threats - Acts 4:21
• Imprisonment - Mark 6:17
• Exile - Revelation 1:9
• Death – Acts 7 (Stephen)
When we consider the audience that Jesus was speaking to while He delivered the Beatitudes, it is significant to remember that each one of these Disciples died as a martyr for their faith.
(1) John died of extreme old age.
(2) Judas Iscariot hanged himself.
(3) Peter was crucified, head downward, during the persecution of Nero.
(4) Andrew died on a cross at Patrae.
(5) James, the younger brother of the Savior, was thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple, and then beaten to death with a club.
(6) Bartholomew was flayed alive in Albanapolis, Armenia.
(7) James, the elder son of Zebedee, was beheaded at Jerusalem.
(8) Thomas, the doubter, was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel, in the east Indies.
(9) Philip was hanged against a pillar at Heropolis.
(10) Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows.
(11) Simon died on a cross in Persia (now Iran).
Judas was not a true believer. He had religion, but not a real relationship in his heart with Jesus. He committed suicide and went to Hell (“his place of judgment” – Acts 1).
Judas did not go to Hell because of his suicide.
He went to Hell because he rejected Christ as his personal Lord and Savior (John 3:16-18). Suicide is tragic and sinful, but it does not condemn a soul to Hell.
FACTS ABOUT PERSECUTION
* More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all other centuries combined.
* Currently over 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide.
* 70 percent of the world's population lives in a religiously intolerant environment.
* Every 5 minutes, a Christian is martyred for their faith.
* No religious group around the world is persecuted more than Christians.
Each month:
(1) 322 Christians are killed for their faith.
(2) 214 churches & Christian properties are destroyed.
(3) 772 forms of violence are committed against followers of Christ.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT PERSECUTION
1. I Peter 2:21 (KJV) – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
2. II Timothy 3:12-13 (NLT) – “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.”
3. I Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV) – “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the firey trial is which 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.”
CHALLENGE: Have you decided to follow Jesus........all the way? If not, your faith will fail you before the finish line.
