Blessed: Experiencing fully your God-breathed intention.
Matthew 5:2–12 (NIV) 2 He began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Persecuted “The Persecuted are those who experience any form of hostility as a result of following Jesus.”
Matthew 5:11(NIV) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Because of me
John 15:18–20 (NIV) 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Rejoice & Be Glad because great is your reward:
Matthew 5:12(NIV) Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1. Consider the reward 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2. Consider the company
Modern Persecution: https://www.opendoors.org.au/
Acts 5:40–42 (NIV) They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
3. Consider Christ Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Matthew 10:38–39 (NIV) 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
When we come to Jesus, we die before we die. Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
