Farmerville Church of Christ

Sermon Outlines

Sermon on the Mount #10

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted Mt 5:10

By Bill Denton

INTRODUCTION

• A. Tonight we come to the last of the beatitudes
  Matt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NKJ)
• B. We have been looking at the beatitudes as they relate to faith
• 1. The beginning of faith -- poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek
• 2. The development of faith -- hungering and thirsting after righteousness
• 3. The maturing of faith -- the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers
• C. Now we come to the beatitude that speaks to the testing or proving of one's faith -- persecution
• 1. Christians should expect their faith to be tested
• 2. 1 Pet 1:6-7
  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 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, (NKJ)
• 3. It is important to know what Jesus spoke about so that real faith can exist among us

I. SOME THINGS ARE NOT PERSECUTION

• A. There is a difference between being persecuted and being punished for some misdeed
• 1. 1 Pet 4:14-16
  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (NKJ)
• 2. Peter makes it clear that a Christian who is punished for a crime, or even if you are chastised for being a busybody, that is deserved and it has nothing to do with what Jesus discussed
• 3. The blessing derived from persecution is altogether different from that
• B. Based on Peter's statement, we might list some other forms of reproach that are not the persecution Jesus meant
• 1. Jesus didn't mean persecution arising because you are difficult, hard to get along with, or objectionable in conduct
• a. I have known people who were simply ugly, mean folks who thought that's what it meant to be a Christian
• b. if that's you, you deserve for people to give you a hard time
• 2. Jesus didn't mean persecution arising because you are weak in faith, immature in your actions, and unwise in the conduct of your life
• a. there are people who do really dumb things and are amazed that it backfires on them
• b. if you are shocked at the effects of weak faith on your life, then you need to know also that there is no particular blessing headed your way for being foolish
• 3. Jesus didn't mean persecution arising out of fanatical religious belief or behavior
• a. many people know us as the folks who think we're the only ones going to heaven, and everybody else is going to hell
• b. we deserve a hard time if we've used that idea to badger people and beat them up religiously
• 4. Jesus didn't mean persecution arising for being good in behavior
• a. truthfully, even the world usually appreciates people for doing good things for others
• b. none of these things are what Jesus discussed

II. THE KIND OF PERSECUTION JESUS MEANT

• A. Look at the whole statement Jesus made
• 1. Matt 5:10-11
  10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' 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. (NKJ)
• 2. Jesus names two reasons for this persecution
• a. for righteousness sake
• b. for My sake
• B. We must understand that this persecution is that which comes for specific reasons
• 1. Consider a few quotes
• a. Wiersbe -- "The world has no problem accepting and following a religious leader who permits them to stay in their sins; but they will crucify the man who dares to point tem to a narrow gate that leads to a narrow way."
• b. Wiersbe -- "Jesus was different, and a world that thrives on conformity cannot tolerate differences. We are children of light, and they are children of darkness. We are alive in the Spirit, and they are dead in sins. We live by faith, and they live by sight. We understand them, but they do not understand us."
• c. Wiersbe -- "Let a man announce that he belongs to a religious group -- be it Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or what have you -- and few people, if anybody, will get upset. But let him announce that he is a Christian, let the name of Christ come into the conversation, and war is declared."
• 2. Consider the testimony of Scripture
• a. John 15:18-21
  If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 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. 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. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (NKJ)
• b. 2 Tim 3:10-12
  But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-- what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJ)
• C. Jesus meant the persecution that comes from following him, putting your faith in him, and having your life changed by him
• 1. The person who lives the beatitudes will be persecuted because he or she will be different from the world
• 2. Think of just a few basic differences
• a. poor in spirit -- won't operate out of pride or arrogance and so will be susceptible to the power hungry of the world
• b. mourners -- they mourn over their own sins and sins of others, they do not gladly participate in them
• c. the meek -- these are the gentle people who are so often misunderstood and who take a lot of the world's abuse
• d. those who hunger and thirst after righteousness -- they are after an entirely different set of values and behavior
• e. the merciful -- these are people who refuse to take revenge, who deal with others in a way different from the world
• f. the pure in heart -- these do not mix with the world, and make every effort not to be stained by the ways of the world
• g. the peacemakers -- these are the ones trying to bring about the will of God among the people of the world
• 3. Consider all these characteristics in light of the two reasons for being persecuted
• a. righteousness
• b. Jesus Christ
• 4. Put that kind of person into the world and persecution is bound to come

III. WHY IS PERSECUTION THE PROOF OF FAITH?

• A. Consider the following
• 1. Rom 8:35-39
• 2. 2 Cor 4:8-18
• 3. Rev 2:8-10
  And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, "These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJ)
• B. Persecution is the proof of faith for two reasons
• 1. Of the beatitudes, it is the only one that is not an internal characteristic of the disciple, but one which he or she must endure from others
• 2. Persecution demands that all the other beatitudes are at work in a person's life
• 3. Therefore the ability to withstand persecution (for righteousness' sake and for Jesus' sake) proves our faith

CONCLUSION

• A. Are you going through any persecution?
• 1. Make sure it isn't because of some negative thing you are bringing upon yourself
• 2. Make sure it is the outworking of your faith -- persecution that rises from righteousness and following Jesus Christ
• 3. Make sure it is because your life is different from the world, just as the life of Jesus was different from the world.
• B. Persecution will prove you faith
• C. Invitation

Copyright © 1995, Bill Denton. Permission granted to use sermon outlines for personal study and preparation of sermons, Bible classes or other teaching format. Sermons may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the author.

Additional Resources

Sermon on the Mount Index Page
CrossTies Home Page

You can reach me at: BillDenton@crossties.org