Maranatha Baptist Church
Blessed Persecution
  • How Firm a Foundation

      • Psalms 14:1-2ESV

      • Psalms 14:3-5ESV

      • Psalms 14:6-7ESV

  • O Lord My Rock And My Redeemer
  • The Lord Is My Salvation

      • Matthew 5:1-5ESV

      • Matthew 5:6-9ESV

      • Matthew 5:10-12ESV

  • Today we come to the conclusion of the beatitudes, and while I have argued that others are more difficult to understand, I think the one today might be the most difficult to swallow. It makes sense, but I get the sense that most of us made not like it.
    And unfortunately, it is the beatitude I was least looking forward to.
    The Definition of Persecution
    The Blessing of Persecution
    The Comfort in Persecution
    The Reward of Persecution
    Matthew 5:10–12 ESV
    10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    Christian persecution comes in a variety of different forms.
    In many instances, when we think of Christians being persecuted we quickly think of Christians in Nigeria. Nigeria ranks among one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. As Militant groups like Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province target Christian communities churches (as well as moderate muslims.)
    This is generally what we think of when we think of persecution. And while places like Nigeria, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and North Korea have among the most severe types of persecution that should lead us to prayer for their safety, their oppressions repentance,
    That being said, here in America there are instances of persecution. We rejoice that our first amendment right that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” And while that protects us from the government - it doesn’t stop governors from trying to violate that. However, one of the biggest issues where Christians are currently facing persecution is in the area of blasphemy laws… not Christian blasphemy… but blasphemy the gods of the age.
    One example:
    There’s a coffee shop in Louisville, Kentucky that is walking distant from the seminary that I attended. I spent many hours there studying, meeting with other students, and drinking coffee. They have several locations around town, but due to their proximity to the seminary - they are (or were) frequented by seminary students. However, about a year ago, Paige Rogers, was working at a Barista at one of their coffee shops. After two of her coworkers found out out that she was a student in the seminary’s undergrad program, they began asking her questions about her perspectives concerning marriage and sexuality. The first question she was asked was if she was “waiting for marriage.” Then they asked further questions about her views on polyamory, and homosexuality and if she thought they were sinful. As one of the coworkers was in a relationship of that sort. She answered yes, in accordance with her faith. Rogers took this an an opportunity to share her faith.
    She went home after her shift that day feeling as if the conversation went well.
    Within two weeks she was fired over a text message stating that she had “expressed her religious beliefs to her coworkers in a way that was offensive.” She was not permitted to see video footage of the incident, she was not given a face to face conversation, or even a warning. She was asked a question about her faith, with very pointed questions, she answered them and then was accused “expressing her religious beliefs in a manner that was unwelcome and offensive to others.” (Some of this is still developing, as it is yet to head to court - and the coffee shop has changed its reasons for her firing.)
    But the world around her, is making up reasons for why the company was justified to fire her. One article I read, created a hypothetical conversation for how she might have said it - which made her out to be the villain. The world that persecutes you will not have sympathy for your persecution. They even be quick to call it a persecution complex.
    We ought not to undermine this young woman’s suffering simply because she didn’t face bodily harm.
    She is blessed because she was able to take a stand for the gospel and face unrighteous discrimination. She later asserted “Look to the cross, and you will find the strength and peace to overcome.”
    Both of the instances that I have describe fit the Biblical definition for persecution. They include reviling (or insulting), and persecuting and uttering all kinds of evil against them falsely on Jesus account.
    But we need to be careful that we do not ignore the caveat that Jesus puts with the kind of persecution - “for righteousness’ sake.”
    Unfortunately, many have been quick to claim persecution when it is not persecution. EX: Starbucks isn’t persecuting anyone because they did not put “Merry Christmas” on their Holiday coffee cups. Starbucks never prevented their employees from saying Merry Christmas. They do sell criminally bad coffee… but that’s another conversation.
    Martyn Lloyd Jones helpfully wrote:
    “It does not say, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are objectionable.’ It does not say, ‘Blessed are those who are having a hard time in their Christian life because they are being difficult.’ It does not say, ‘Blessed are those who are being persecuted as Christians because they are seriously lacking in wisdom and are really foolish and unwise in what they regard as being their testimony.’ It is not that. There is no need for one to elaborate this but so often one has known Christian people who are suffering mild persecution entirely because of their own folly, because of something either in themselves or in what they are doing the promise does not apply to such people. It is for righteousness sake.”
    Sometimes Christians face opposition because they are a jerk - but not because they are a Christian.
    The gospel requires telling people that they are a sinner, and sinners don’t normally like that - but if your personality gets in the way of your evangelism and you look down at others so they dislike you. Or if you are just unpleasant, rude, unkind, or a gossip - then that persecution isn’t for righteousness sake it’s because you’re being unchristlike. And at times, it is appropriate to turn to the Lord in prayer and ask him for clarity. Is this for righteousness sake? And ask the Lord that you endure in righteousness sake, and turn from your sinfulness.
    Sometimes people face persecution because they are lazy - I have had coworkers who have claimed that they were not treated fairly at work because they were Christians - but it was really because they weren’t doing their job well. No one wanted to work with them. This was because they were a sluggard, not because of their faith.
    Harsh treatment from others because of sin that you are ignoring and unrepentant of is not blessed persecution.
    We do not need to seek out persecution.
    Proverbs 11:27, 21:23 - both give the instruction that the wise person does not go seeking out trouble.
    Sort of like when someone has said “do not go seeking out trouble, trouble will find you.” In a similar sense, for the person living a righteous life you need not seek out persecution, it will find you.
    As mentioned last week, the Bible tells us to seek to live peaceably with others - do this - and if persecution comes because of righteousness then follow Jesus’ words - rejoice and be glad.
    This beatitude is not a blanket blessing on all who are persecuted. This is a blessing on those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. Righteous living is a significant theme in the Sermon on the Mount. When one commits their life to living in a righteous manner, and encouraging others to do the same, it very well may lead to opposition, hatred, and persecution.
    In fact, this beatitude comes at the end because living out many of these attitudes may lead to persecution.
    How can persecution be blessed?
    If we remember back to the beginning of the beatitudes, I defined blessed in this context as relating to human flourishing and happiness.
    And once again, we have a beatitude that is a paradox. Something that is true, but seems like it isn’t.
    Blessed Persecution
    But what is blessed persecution?
    Blessed persecution is wrongful treatment that comes from following Jesus, and living in the righteousness that he commands.
    It should sound odd that someone who is committed to righteousness might be treated poorly by the world. And the reason for why this happens is because darkness hates the light.
    Persecution may occur in the form of violence, which is what we often think of. Or persecution may be done with one’s voice - slander, and insults as Jesus teaches us.
    We may see persecution such as when Nero burned down Rome and then slandered the Christians by blaming them for the event. And not much later did Nero begin executing physical violence against them.
    Or it may be physical force. Such as what we read of in relation to Christians in Nigeria.
    One kind of persecution might be more severe than another - but this does not mean we should undermine the genuine suffering of others. “At least it’s not as bad as Nigeria” does not comfort the parent who is losing custody of their son because their faith will not permit them to pretend that he is a girl.
    We also do not rejoice in persecution for persecution sake. In fact, when persecution comes wrongly we mourn the impact of sin in the world. And when persecution happens to others we mourn that as well.
    This is a specific blessing for those who face persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ.
    But how are we blessed when we are persecuted? We are blessed because it makes us more like Christ.
    We should not seek out persecution, but we also should not be surprised when it comes. Jesus himself warns his disciples:
    Matthew 10:22–25 ESV
    22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
    (Similar statements are made in John 15.) And in John 16:33 he gives his disciples comfort.
    John 16:33 ESV
    33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
    He does the same in the beatitude. When you face persecution and tribulation you are in good company.
    The second part of this beatitudes states that.
    Matthew 5:12 ESV
    12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
    The prophets were persecuted. They came preaching against sin and they were put to death. Jeremiah was thrown into a pit and stoned, Zechariah was stoned to death (2 Chronicles 24:20) , Isaiah was sawed in half. (Justin Martyr, Heb 11:37).
    The disciples similarly were beheaded (James, Matthew), crucified (Andrew - X, Peter upside down), exiled, beaten, maligned and insulted.
    Their treatment should be of no surprise. For even when the Son of God came Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God, he was insulted, scourged, and crucified. Though he had done nothing wrong, he was betrayed - and killed.
    The Persecuted are in Good Company - for this reason we should rejoice and be glad…
    When persecution comes it can be much easier to whine, complain, or sulk - than rejoice.
    But remember our messiah:
    1 Peter 2:23 ESV
    23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
    So when persecution comes the response should not be a woe is me, but rather, trusting God that he may be glorified through my suffering.
    Because of the example of Jesus we can endure in suffering.
    And Peter a little later then also states:
    1 Peter 4:14 ESV
    14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
    He is repeating the same language of the beatitude. You are blessed when you are insulted on behalf of the name of Christ. The glory of God rests upon you.
    And Paul tells us that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory to come.
    Romans 8:18 ESV
    18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
    In short, all suffering and persecution that is endured for the name of Jesus is going to be worth it. It is going to be worth it because the promise is the kingdom of Heaven. The promise of this beatitude is the same as the promise for the poor in spirit. It’s poetry. The Beatitudes begin and end with the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven.
    The reward of persecution is eternal life.
    The end of persecution is receiving Christ - and that is far more worth it than the trials the world can bring.
    The promises of the persecuted is that they are blessed, that they are not alone, and that their is the kingdom of Heaven.
    The Persecuted are Blessed
    Though persecution may be hard. Though it may lead to loss of friendship, status, opportunity or life - it will be worth it. It will be worth it because…
    The Persecuted are Heaven bound
    We can take comfort from the company of the many martyrs in history. Whether William Tyndale, Jim Elliot, Polycarp or the apostles or the prophets. We can take comfort in knowing that they endured well, suffered for the name of Christ and their reward is great in heaven.
    The Persecuted are not alone
    In times of suffering and persecution you are not alone. The Lord is with you.
    But when we suffering we are made more like Christ. He was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief.
    It is through suffering and persecution that we are made more like Christ, the suffering servant.
    Charles Spurgeon wrote:
    "You cannot be Christ’s servant if you are not willing to follow him, cross and all. What do you crave? A crown? Then it must be a crown of thorns if you are to be like him. Do you want to be lifted up? So you shall, but it will be upon a cross."
    When Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to be my disciple - he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This is what he meant.
    Though Jesus has warned us that there will be persecution - he has given us comfort that he has overcome the world. He has overcome the grave. He is always with us - even to the end of the age. And he is making all things new.

      • Matthew 5:10–12ESV

      • Matthew 10:22–25ESV

      • John 16:33ESV

      • Matthew 5:12ESV

      • 1 Peter 2:23ESV

      • 1 Peter 4:14ESV

      • Romans 8:18ESV

  • Come Unto Jesus

      • Matthew 5:13–16ESV

Maranatha Baptist Church
info@mbcglobe.org
http://www.mbcglobe.org
4 members • 2 followers