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Remember the Persecuted Matthew 5:10-12

Remember the Persecuted Matthew 5:10-12. The Bible is filled with stories of pain and suffering. John 16:33 (NIV) “In this world you will have trouble.” Persecution: The Preparation The Response The Blessings. 1. Persecution : We Must Prepare For It

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Remember the Persecuted Matthew 5:10-12

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  1. Remember the PersecutedMatthew 5:10-12 • The Bible is filled with stories of pain and suffering. • John 16:33 (NIV) “In this world you will have trouble.” • Persecution: • The Preparation • The Response • The Blessings

  2. 1. Persecution: We Must Prepare For It • Persecution should be an expectation in the life of a believer. • John 15:18–20 (NIV) - “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 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… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. • 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) - In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

  3. Persecution can take on many forms: • Slander: • Psalm 31:13 (NIV) For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. • Nigeria: Clerics frequently preach hate messages against Christians • Source: Open Doors

  4. False Accusations: • Matthew 5:11 (NIV) “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. • North Korea:Christian gatherings are labeled as Anti-North Korean criminal activities allowing police to raid these gatherings and arrest those present. • Source: Open Doors

  5. Threats – Intimidation: • Acts 21:27 (NIV) - When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him. • Vietnam:New converts constantly face discrimination, intimidation and pressure to renounce their faith in Christ. • Source: Open Doors

  6. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) – “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. • It is those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus [who] will be persecuted. The faithful believer should expect persecution and suffering for Christ’s sake. Not every godly believer will be maligned, imprisoned, tortured, or martyred for his faith…But all faithful believers should expect opposition from the world and realize that, when opposition becomes severe enough, they will suffer for their faith, just as Paul and Timothy did. (John MacArthur)

  7. 2. Persecution: We are Called to Respond To It • One of our most powerful responses to persecution is prayer. • 2 Thessalonians 3:1–3 (NIV) - Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

  8. Romans 15:30–31 (NIV) I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. • As we see our brothers and sisters in Christ face opposition, threats, beatings, even death, we need to lift them up to God in prayer!

  9. 1 Peter 3:14–16 (NIV) - But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

  10. When it comes to responding to persecutionwe need to do so with godly conduct. • Are you prepared to give an answer for what you believe when you face opposition against what you believe? • We have a testimony to uphold because we represent Christ • 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV) When they hurled their insults at [Christ], he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

  11. 3. Persecution: God Blesses Us Through It • The assurance of God’s continual love for us • Romans 8:31–35,37 (NIV) - What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? … It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

  12. We recognize the victory we have already attained through Christ and that nothing can now separate us from his love • Romans 5:3–4 (NIV) - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. • When Christians learn perseverance in suffering it builds spiritual character.

  13. Persecuted Christians willingly give their lives so others can gain eternal life • 2 Corinthians 4:11–12 (NIV) - For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. • When we face persecution and respond to it appropriately we reveal that Christ’s Spirit lives in us and through us and God uses this to draw others to himself.

  14. We need to have a better perspective on persecution: • Matthew 16:24–25 (NIV) “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. • Persecution is an integral part of being a disciple of Jesus. • The places where the church is growing the mostare places where believers face the greatest persecution.

  15. As a follower of Jesus, are you prepared to face persecution? • The early church and many of our brothers and sisters around the world thanked God for the honor of suffering for His sake. • Let’s remember to pray for fellow believers who suffer for righteousness sake. • Let’s pray for ourselves to be ready to take up our cross and put Christ on display in our lives in spite of opposition.

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