Cornerstone Bible Fellowship
20260830 Worship
      • Bible Trivia
        Loading...

      • Psalm 33:1NIV2011

      • Psalm 35:27ESV

      • Psalm 35:27ESV

  • Trading My Sorrows
  • Days Of Elijah

      • Matthew 11:25–30ESV

      • Matthew 11:25-26ESV

      • Matthew 11:27-28ESV

      • Matthew 11:29-30ESV

      • Psalm 35:27ESV

  • Lord I Need You

      • Matthew 5:1-5ESV

      • Matthew 5:6-9ESV

      • Matthew 5:10-12ESV

  • Introduction

    Over the last 7 weeks we have looked at the 7 characteristics that make up the hourglass experience of the blessed life.
    The first 3 beatitudes create the condition that loads the top of the hourglass. The hunger/satisfaction for righteousness was the process where influence happens. And earlier this month we looked at 3 products of the life focused on righteousness.
    Today we answer the question, “what can I expect if I pursue this type of life?”  According to Jesus’ words in verses 10-12, first, you will be persecuted by the world and, secondly, you will be rewarded by God.
    You cannot expect that this godly life will result in being nominated for homecoming court, a promotion at work or successful election to political office.
    A distinction needs to be made! Sometimes we are persecuted for righteousness and sometimes we are persecuted because we are being a jerk. When we encounter the opposition I will speak of today, it is wise to inquire, is this due to my pursuit of righteousness or is this because I am being unnecessarily offensive?
    TRANSITION: With that distinction in mind, let’s look at the Biblical instruction on this topic.

    Offensive to the World

    1. Biblical Individuals who suffered

    Cain & Abel (the first sons born to created parents)
    1 John 3:12 ESV:2016
    And why did [Cain] murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and [Abel’s] righteous.
    b. A.W. Pink offers this list,
    Joseph was persecuted by his brothers and in Egypt he was cast into prison for righteousness sake (Genesis 37, 39).
    Moses was reviled again and again (Exodus 5:21; 14:11; 16:2; 17:2; etc.).
    Samuel was rejected (1 Sam. 8:5).
    Elijah was despised and persecuted (1 Kings 18:17; 19:2).
    Nehemiah was oppressed and defamed (Nehemiah 4).
    Stephen was stoned,
    Peter and John were cast into prison,
    James was beheaded,
    and the entire course of the apostle Paul’s Christian life and ministry was one long series of bitter and relentless persecutions.

    2. Biblical Churches that suffered

    In Philippi: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (Philippians 1:29)
    In Thessalonica: We ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
    In Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and in Bithynia: Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12)
    Paul says to Timothy in Ephesus: All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

    3. Persecution by hand and by word

    Bullying has received a lot of publicity the last couple of years. Bullying can be physical or verbal.
    It can happen by peers or by teachers or bosses.
    Open Doors US is a great organization that reminds us that statistics are stories of real people. Each year they create a list of the World’s Watchlist where persecution is the greatest. Here is a 2 minute portion of a clip to whet your appetite to personally go to their website and have your heart pricked for the persecuted church - https://www.opendoorsus.org/persecution/countries
    According to the US Census Bureau, Kansas has approximately 3 million residents. That means 130x the entire population of our state suffers “high levels of Persecution”.
    d. I don’t think we gain influence by playing the “victim card” in public, but experiences of persecution need to be shared with those we are close to in order to draw support and encouragement.
    TRANSITION: The Bible makes it abundantly clear that persecution can be expected, but it is not to be avoided., because it includes great outcomes.

    Great Outcomes

    1. Great Blessing (1 Pt 4:14)

    1 Peter 4:14 ESV:2016
    If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
    There is a special presence of God that is experienced by those in peril.
    Paul speaks of fellowship in Phil 3:10
    Daniel 3 speaks of the 3 Hebrews walking around in the fiery furnace with a 4th
    Acts 16 speaks of singing while bound
    Daniel’s account in the Lion’s den reveals that “God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths.
    These blessings would have been missed if things were all nice and dandy.

    2. Great Reward (Mt 6:20)

    Matthew 6:20 ESV:2016
    but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
    It is fabled that “I have never seen a hearse pulling a U-haul trailer”. This picture from Saint Louis ruined the quote, but it is true that what we do here, influences what we have there!
    By saying “great is your reward” Jesus is implying that lesser reward is waiting for those who are not blessed by persecution.

    3. Great Results

    Character Growth
    Younger believers, I can almost guarantee that if you ask someone who has walked with the Lord for decades when they experienced the greatest time of spiritual growth and deepening character, they will say it was during times of testing and trial.
    Let me just say that two of the closest times I’ve had with the Lord was 1) when our youngest was taken by ambulance from our rural hospital to the NICU in OKC; and 2) when I came home from a job interview and found our oldest had taken a whole bottle of prescription sleeping pills to try to end her life. Without giving away too much of the story, let me just say God worked miracles in both of those situations.
    b. Lasting Testimonies
    Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress was written from a jail cell. The government controlled churches in various places throughout history. In Great Britain only Anglican pastors were allowed to preach, since John Bunyan was not Anglican he was jailed for preaching.
    With biblical preaching being labeled as “hate speech”, is it absurd to think the same practice may come to our shores during our lifetime?
    Much of our New Testament was written while Paul was under house arrest or in prison
    The Philippian Jailer and his household in Acts 16 may not have been saved if it were not for the persecution of Paul and Silas.
    TRANSITION: The Bible makes it crystal clear that persecution yields great outcomes, but it is not to be coveted or sought.

    Reminders during Calm

    I said earlier that I don’t think we earn sympathy or gain influence by playing the “victim card” in public. We have all seen examples of people pretending to be martyred and playing for the camera. The flop on the basketball court or football field is pitiful; it is just as ridiculous when “persecution” is claimed just because one’s cause is not applauded.
    It was in our own country less than 8 months ago when protesters broke up a Christian Worship service because one of their leaders was employed by ICE. My previous church was picketed by a group from Westboro Baptist, although they never came through the doors.
    The threat of government persecution is real, The potential for rioters to disrupt is not out of the realm of possibility. For the current time we must count ourselves blessed to the extent that we have not been subject to this form of terrorism.

    1. Be Thankful for freedom (1 Tim 2:1-2)

    1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV:2016
    First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
    We are called to pray for leaders at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels so that we may experience a peaceful and quiet life.

    2. Remember those who ARE persecuted (Heb 13:3)

    Hebrews 13:3 ESV:2016
    Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
    go to OpenDoorsUS.org or get a copy of Operation World or subscribe to a daily email from Voice of the Martyrs or Christian Aid Mission.

    3. Examine your own life (Matthew 5:13-14)

    Ask yourself, “Am I not persecuted because of God’s protection or am I not persecuted because my righteousness is not evident to others?”
    The very next verses in the sermon on the mount describe us as salt and light.
    Matthew 5:13–14 ESV:2016
    “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
    Perhaps we are not experiencing persecution because we are not the spiciest pepper in the chili. Perhaps we are not the brightest bulbs in the fixture.

    4. Lay Down your life (Rom 12:1)

    Jesus says in John 10:18 that he willingly lays down his own life.
    Paul calls us to the same obedience...
    Romans 12:1 ESV:2016
    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
    c. The problem with living sacrifices is that we tend to keep crawling off the altar. If you are anything like me, we need reminders that we are called to serve and not be served.
    TRANSITION: These four reminders call us out of a life of comfort. But I want to conclude by admitting that some of us may be coping with very real forms of spiritual warfare or emotional persecution. Here are 3 keys for you…

    Reminders during Conflict

    1. Press into God’s Presence (Ps 23:4a)

    Psalm 23:4 ESV:2016
    Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

    2. Press into God’s Word (Ps 23:4b)

    Psalm 23:4 ESV:2016
    your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

    3. Press into God’s Community (Ps 23:5a)

    Psalm 23:5 ESV:2016
    You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
    **This is not a romantic picnic for you and Jesus, it is a banquet deserving of a great Hall.
    When everything inside of you just wants to be left alone, God’s message from outside of you is look for others to serve & let others minister to you.
    Even when surrounded by antagonists, God has provided a place of fellowship, sustenance and blessing.text

    Conclusion

    This morning we have looked at the Biblical expectation, the Blessed outcomes, and humble advice for when we are and are not experiencing persecution.
    As we conclude this message and this series it is good to remember that absolutely nothing happens to us that catches God by surprise. He wonderfully protects us and provides for us each moment of each day.
    Response Song #364............................................................................................................ “He Leadeth Me”

    Benediction:

    1 Timothy 6:15–16 ESV:2016
    [God] will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
    —

      • 1 John 3:12ESV

      • 1 Peter 4:14ESV

      • Matthew 6:20ESV

      • 1 Timothy 2:1–2ESV

      • Hebrews 13:3ESV

      • Matthew 5:13–14ESV

      • Romans 12:1ESV

      • Psalm 23:4ESV

      • Psalm 23:4ESV

      • Psalm 23:5ESV

  • He Leadeth Me

      • 1 Timothy 6:15–16ESV

Cornerstone Bible Fellowship
6 members • 1 follower