Sermon Notes
Lessons On Blessings | Blessed Are the Persecuted-
Pastor Jeff Wallace
Matthew 5:3-10
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.
All through this series we ask the question; What did Jesus say?
And then,
How should we respond?
Matthew 5:10-12 New International Version
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.
Doing right isn’t always popular but it is always necessary.
The more you live the blessed life the more the world will resist and threaten you.
Jesus tells us we will be persecuted. There are three types of persecution:
1. Insults, verbal abuse.
2. attacks, physical abuse
3. slander and false testimony.
People who stand up for truth and righteousness are often attacked and ostracized.
The more you push to what is right the more people will tell you that you are wrong.
We will be persecuted because once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we longer belong to this word.
John 15:19 New International Version
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.
We will experience persecution because this world refuses to recognize God and Jesus.
John 15:21 New International Version
21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
John 16:3 New International Version
3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
Being on Jesus; team you will be called out by this world.
James 1:19 New International Version
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
We can’t just hear God’s Word, we have to do God’s Word.
Despite what people say about you our do to you remember that you are blessed and highly favored because you belong to God and nothing in this world can take it away.
The world culture will always be counter against Christian culture.
Romans 12:2 New International Version
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are called set the tone for culture.
How should we respond?
Jesus said rejoice and be glad because great is your reward.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 New International Version
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Ask God for courage and boldness to ask what He intends for you.
Hebrews 12:2 New International Version
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When you focus on the right things living a blessed life becomes a real thing.
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