Feb. 16, 2022

“HOW TO BE HAPPY ACCORDING TO JESUS” 

“HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS”

MATTHEW 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Nobody wants to be persecuted, and it doesn’t seem natural to find happiness in persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

1.   The Reason For Persecution

The kind of persecution we’re talking about is that which occurs “for righteousness’ sake,” the kind that comes from having your life identified with Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”

2.   The Realities of Persecution

The bad news. Jesus describes how persecution will occur by using three different words.

*They Will Revile You

“they revile” you- The word literally means to throw things into your face.

*They Will Persecute You

“and persecute you”- In other words, they will come after us because we are good and they are evil, and evil hates good.

Where did we ever get the idea that things will work out just fine if we do everything right?

*They Will Say All Manner of Evil Against You

“say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

*The Good News- As Christians, we’ve got to expect persecution.

*Persecution is a Compliment

*Persecution is a Credential

When we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, it is proof that we are on the right side:

Matthew 10:22 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

When you are persecuted, you are identified with Jesus Christ.

*Persecution is a Catalyst

The Bible says that we suffer for righteousness, we experience growth. The best lessons are the ones we learn in hard times.

Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

*Persecution Is a Criteria

Jesus tells us to rejoice in persecution, for “great is your reward in heaven.” 

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

To suffer persecution is to be an eventual partaker of joy.

2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

God wants to make a difference in our world through your life!!