It's wonderful to be here with all of you today to worship.
God, we have wonderful crowd, and we have several visitors
that are here and we want to say you are our honored guest and
welcome. And please come back every
opportunity that you have to be with us.
You are so welcome. We're glad you're here.
I'm very excited about the series that I've been preaching
for you and that is on the greatest sermon ever preached.
It is as I've said so many times I've called it the great Sermon
on the Mount preached by the master so long ago and today is
The Sermon on the Mount. This is the Beatitudes which are
covered in the first 12. Verses of Matthew Chapter 5 and
this is part 4. This is our final lesson on the
Beatitudes. But before we begin with what
Jesus is going to talk about in Matthew chapter 5 verses 10
through 12 we have to back up and I'm going to be very brief
about this as I've done as a recap on the other series
lessons. We have to notice what he
already said very briefly because they all flow together
and they all work together. This is a masterful sermon,
preached by Jesus. So long ago and I'm just going
to say this to when we're done with the Beatitudes, after just
a few minutes today. These are qualities and
characteristics that will help us for the rest of our life.
You remember that Jesus is giving us specific things that
have give you true, blessedness, and true happiness.
I'm going to say this if you really want blessedness and
happiness. In your life, please listen to
the words of Jesus. That's number one, number two,
if you can apply what Jesus is saying, in the Beatitudes, in
your life and they can be in you and they can abound in your
life. You'll be able to handle all the
other, very difficult things and Meaty things.
He's going to preach in the rest of this sermon, which covers.
Matthew 5, 6 and 7. Okay, let's just Begin by saying
what he's already said. Jesus began in Matthew Chapter 5
in this great. Sermon on the Beatitudes.
He says, blessed are the poor in spirit.
You remember what that means? It means to literally be
spiritually destitute. And all that means, is this, if
you want to go to heaven, or anybody wants to go to heaven,
it begins with This, you have to come to the realization.
I'm nothing without God. I'm nothing without Jesus
Christ. And what's wrong with that?
That's great stuff. I am spiritually destitute
without God. I'm nothing on my own.
I need Jesus. You know why?
Because I have a sin problem and I can't make my sins go away.
So that therefore Here Comes number 2.
It begins with being poor in spirit, I'm destitute and
spirit. Without God, I have a sin
problem that only Jesus can take away.
So it leads to number two, and it's going to cause me to do
this. It's going to cause me to mourn
over those sins. Yes.
God wants us to be guilty of the sins that we commit not to live
in a state of Perpetual guilt. He wants us to do something
about it. This is wonderful.
When you mourn over your sin and that all that means is Godly
sorrow and repentance. You're going to do something
about it, what are you going to do?
I'm going to obey the gospel. I'm going to be baptized for the
remission of my sins contact. The blood of Jesus have my sins
washed away and therefore I'm comforted because I'm forgiven.
There's a great benefit in blessing and relief in knowing,
I've made mistakes. But I've been forgiven.
But there's more. After you obey the gospel and
you become a Christian, you're going to make more mistakes.
First John chapter 1 says, if we confess our sins, he's faithful.
And just to forgive us, our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. So guess what I'm comforted
again, because when I mourn over those sins with Godly sorrow and
repentance and I ask God to forgive me, I'm forgiven.
So I'm comforted. But then number three, what
about the things that we have? Bitch really struggle with.
And I think sometimes some of the sins that are in our life
are some of the things that keep reoccurring, the habitual
struggles because those are our weaknesses, right?
We all get that and sometimes the sins we commit our the same
things over and over again. I'm so thankful that the Bible
gives us a plan for that too. James 5:16 confess your faults,
one to another and pray one for another that you may be healed,
the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much
again, I'm going to mourn over those things.
I'm going to confess that to my brother.
He's going to pray for me, God's going to forgive.
I'm going to be comforted because I'm forgiven.
One final thing this is by the wave sin is the context of the
passage but there's a secondary thing too.
And you remember this, when we study this a long time ago,
several service sermons ago Sometimes the child of God will
mourn over the injustices that are in the world because
sometimes things are just bad. When we do that, the child of
God is comforted knowing that God is ultimately in control, no
matter what. Don't you see?
It is great to be a Christian, it is great to be a child of
God. Now we have the proper
relationship with God and now it's going to lead us to the
mental disposition that we have to have moving forward.
And that's the spirit of meekness meekness is not
weakness. Jesus said this about himself,
he was the epitome of Of strength, Jesus, come unto me
all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest
take my yoke upon you and learn of me for.
I am meek and lowly at heart and you shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is like incidentally, this Spirit of unassuming
meekness is also the quality and the characteristic that will
help you persevere. No matter what comes your way in
your Christian Life. Great stuff.
Then you got to do this. Jesus says blessed are those
that hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be
filled if we're having a problem, living a righteous
life. Maybe it's because we are not
hungering and thirsting after it but I love this promise if you
hunger and thirst after righteousness, you will be
filled. And that is by the word of God.
Okay. At least to something else.
Jesus says, blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain
mercy and I'm going to tell you this.
Don't you think if we can always have it in our mind, a complete
remembrance, and reminder that God was merciful to you and to
me, Don't you think it'd be easier if we remember that to be
merciful to somebody else? And maybe if we're not merciful
to some other people, maybe it's because we've forgotten that God
was merciful to us, God extended Mercy To Us by not giving us
what we deserve and that's to be lost.
I'm so thankful that he extended that Mercy.
But look at the promise that, God, that Jesus gave here.
Notice what happens if I am merciful, I'm going to obtain
Mercy, that is from God. So, if I want God's mercy, I
have to be merciful to other people, but there's a secondary
benefit here, too. Don't you think this too?
If I am merciful to my fellow man, don't you think maybe not
all the time because sometimes people are just mean.
But don't you think other people are going to be merciful to me
if I'm a merciful person to other people.
Maybe in general, sure. What else?
Then Jesus says blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see
god notice please if you want to see God one day you got to be
pure in heart. And remember this being pure in
heart is more than just having a good heart having good motives.
And just being well, I mean, well, way more than that, as we
studied before being pure in heart is always connected to
proper and acceptable worship to God.
So, what am I saying? I'm saying this, if you are not
a worshiper of God, You're not pure in heart.
Got to be pure in heart. What else?
Then Jesus says this is the final one of a recap.
He said blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be
called the sons of God. God wants us to be people of
Peace. He wants us to be peacemakers
and not peace Breakers. That's what he wants.
What does the Bible say? Whatever is lies within you.
In other words, whatever is in your power live peaceably among
all men, that's what God wants. God is a God of Peace.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. So if we are people of peace, We
are like God in that regard and we're called the sons of God,
okay, how are you a peacemaker to waste?
Number one is living peaceably among our fellow, man.
That's our relationships, right? That's number one, number two,
that made me maybe not quite so obvious.
We are also a peacemaker when by our example or our words, we
lead people to the gospel which has the power to save and a
person is Because they're brought to Jesus Christ and they
are brought because of your example or your words.
They're converted to Christ. They're saved now, they're at
peace with God. You've just become a peacemaker.
So we're peacemakers by based on our relationships and based on
leading people to Jesus Christ so that they can be at peace
with God, all of that is covered in Matthew 5 verses 3 through 9
and here comes verse 10. Then he says this blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, okay?
In spite of verse 9. The Christian sometimes is going
to live in his life. And is not going to have peace.
Because sometimes in life, the Christians going to have trouble
and sometimes they're going to be persecuted.
Now I'm going to tell you this. I'm not talking about Trials of
life and this sermon. We've talked about that in the
past that is not. We're talking about, we're
talking about specific things. Now, we're talking about
persecution, And I'm so thankful because later on in our lesson
Jesus is going to give us three ways.
We're persecuted three Very practical ways that were
persecuted. Okay, so we're talking about
persecution. So even though in verse 9, it
says, blessed are the peacemakers and all of that
Jesus says, sometimes a person is going to be persecuted for
righteousness sake. In fact, Paul promises Timothy
that all who will live Godly will suffer persecution.
Second Timothy chapter 3 and verse 12.
Yes, and all who desire to live Godly in Christ will suffer
persecution. I've got to tell you this, we
live in a wonderful country. I know that there's a lot of
people that want to bad-mouth the country and things are not
perfect in our country. I get it, but I'm thankful to be
in this country. I am so thankful we live in a
Land of the Free. And even though we have
difficulties and we have things that are going on in the country
that perhaps we don't like or perhaps even God doesn't like
I'm so thankful that there's no laws that keep us from doing
what we're doing right now. I'm thankful for that.
I'm also thankful that in my life, I get to get up in the
morning and do just about whatever I want.
We live in the land of the free. So maybe we're not persecuted
like the days of the early church will talk about that in
just a moment and maybe we don't have great persecutions against
our life. Like what once was or maybe
would happen in other countries? If you live a Godly life, Paul
told Timothy in one aspect or another you will suffer
persecution but there's a blessing.
There's a blessing. And more on this in a moment.
But Jesus says for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
All right. What exactly is the essence of
what the Lord saying? He's saying two things.
Please get this. He's saying two things. 1
blessed is the one whose conviction of mind is strong
enough to weather the physical abuse of persecution.
He's not just saying blessed, are you if you're being
persecuted, what exciting in the essence is this blessed is the
one whose conviction of mine is strong enough to weather the
physical abuse of persecution. And I'm going to tell you what
that is all about strength and courage.
Sometimes we think that the persecuted person is the week
10. No, no.
In this case, it's the strong one, that's number one, we
talked about in the essence of what the Lord is talking about.
That's number one, here's number two, Blessed is the one whose
Godly character is so anchored that he cannot be bribed with
physical comfort. I have on here, Hebrews in all
capitals. And I'm going to tell you why.
When the Hebrew writer wrote the book of Hebrews, he was writing
to Hebrew Christians. He was writing to people that
were Jewish by Blood. No doubt raised in Judaism and
that's all they had ever known. But Along Comes the preaching of
the gospel and they're converted to Jesus Christ.
Do you know what happened to them?
Many of them had great persecution.
So much. So you know what they were
doing. They went back to the law of
Moses and they rejected Jesus because why it?
Easier they were being bribed with physical comfort.
Little side note here. As they were nearing, the
destruction of Jerusalem, the persecution got great and
believe me. And by the way, that's why I
believe Hebrews 10:25 some different positions about that
about the day approaching and Hebrews 10:25 is that the end of
time. Is that the first day of the
week? I do believe it's the
destruction of Jerusalem in the context.
I'm just going to tell you why they could see that day coming.
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus told his disciples.
He said there's going to be a lot of bad stuff going to happen
and he's talking about the end. He's not talking about the end
of time as everybody thinks in the world today.
That Matthew 24 is talking about all the end of time and look how
bad things are happening. They see here, I come.
No, that's the destructive Jerusalem.
They can see that day coming. There was five remote signs.
Jesus has five. Things are going to happen, but
the end is not near. And then one specific things
going to happen, immediate sign, then the end comes and he says,
get out of here and get to the mountains.
He's telling Christians how to depart and not be destroyed in
the destruction of Jerusalem. That's Matthew 24, they can see
that day approaching and that's why in Hebrews 10:25 because
many of these Hebrew Christians were turning their back on
Jesus, because it was easier to go back to Judaism, Then
followed Jesus and remove the persecution.
That's why he says not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together as the manner of some is, but exhorting, one another
and so much, the more as you see the day approaching.
That's why I believe the day approaching is the destruction
of Jerusalem. All that being said, I'm done
with that. But I will tell you this.
They were greatly persecuted before the year, a.d., 70 and
instructive Jerusalem and they were told hang in there.
Don't quit. You know, why?
That's the essence of what the Lord's talking about?
If you're persecuted for righteousness.
Sake, blessed is the one whose Godly character is so anchored,
he cannot be bribed. With physical Comfort.
Okay, let's back up in time in the Lord's Ministry.
Now as he was speaking, these words, the scribes and the
Pharisees are already planning to destroy Jesus.
How do I know that Mark, chapter 3 and verse 6, then the
Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the
herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
You know what's interesting about this, don't underestimate
the bond of hate. The herodians and the Pharisees
were at odds with each other, but on this occasion or when it
came to the topic of Killing Jesus, they bound together and
they plotted how they might destroy him.
There was another time to, by the way.
In Luke chapter 6, Jesus does a great thing.
He heals a poor man that has a withered hand.
That's a great thing. He performs a miracle and you
would think everybody would be? Oh, that's wonderful.
Maybe even follow Jesus because of it.
You know, what happens? He heals a man with a withered
hand, but he does it on the Sabbath day.
And you remember what they said about Jesus, they hated him.
The religious leaders for two reasons one.
He said, I am the Son of God and to, because of how he had on the
Sabbath. But he said, I'm greater than
the Sabbath, I'm lord of the Sabbath and all of that.
So we know all that. They're mad at him for that.
So, this man, gets healed of a withered hand.
This is their response to that, Luke 6 and 11 but they were
filled with rage and discussed with one another what they might
do to Jesus. So Jesus knows that persecution
is coming and it's going to grow in intensity and he warns his
disciples, it's coming but then he says there's blessings, if
you remain faithful, and that's the key.
One of those blessings for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I don't know what it's going to be like, folks, I just know it's
going to be greater than anything we've ever seen.
When God says time shall be no more and Jesus comes back. and
when the righteous Get to Go to Heaven, I don't know what it's
all going to be like, I know it's going to be greater than
anything I can possibly fathom. But regardless of whatever
persecution or hardship, you've gone through in life.
I guarantee you this It'll be worth it.
When you see Heaven, and the only way you can see Heaven is
regardless of the persecution of the hardship.
You got to remain faithful. You gotta stay true.
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Now, I got to say this about
persecution and suffering police.
The Lord is not saying here that all persecution is beneficial.
He's not saying that. God is not interested in
suffering and self-denial. Merely as a religious exercise.
Or doing without something as a religious exercise giving up
something during a certain time of the year as a religious
exercise. That's not what he's talking
about. He's not talking about
self-denial and pain and suffering as a religious
exercise. That's number one, number two,
he's also not interested in this.
He's not interested in those that pose as persecuted to gain
attention you know, Jesus talked about that, by the way, not
being persecuted, but by fasting, then when Jesus talked
about fasting, he said when you fast don't do this, don't walk
around with a long face at home. Fast of starving, don't do that.
So, everybody can see that you're fasting or walk around
your hair uncombed and not showered dirty rags and walking
around stumbling around. So people, go, oh, what do you
go with you on fasting? You know, Jesus says wash your
face. Put a smile on your face so that
nobody in the world knows what you're doing, except God, that's
what matters. Going through something as an
exercise to be seen of others is not with the Lord's talking
about here, when he says persecuted.
It's not what he means when he talks about suffering, and it's
not what he means. When he talks about abstaining
from something. There has to be a reason for the
suffering. In fact, Peter makes it clear
what the reason is, Peter does notice First, Peter chapter 4
beginning, in verse 14, if you are reproached for the name of
Christ, get that? Blessed, are you for the spirit
of glory and of God rests upon you on their part.
He has blasphemed get this. But on your part, he is
glorified keep that in the back of your mind.
God is glorified when you suffer as a Christian, okay?
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief and evil doer,
or a busybody, and other people's matters.
Yet, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be
ashamed but let him glorify God. In this matter, there are some
things in life that are worthy of suffering for If I'm a
murderer, I got that coming. I should suffer as a murderer.
If I'm if I'm a thief, I should suffer as a thief.
I got that coming or if I'm a busybody in other men's matters,
if I'm an evildoer, I've got that coming.
But when I suffer as a Christian, it's different.
Peter says, God is glorified when you suffer as a Christian.
Now. 1st Peter chapter 2 and verse 14.
Or to Governor's, as to those who are sent by him for what the
punishment of evildoers. And for the praise of those who
do good in Romans chapter 13, you know, it talks about, it
talks about the powers-that-be or the structures that are over
us and law enforcement would be included in those governmental
structures right there for two reasons, to punish the wicked
and reward or protect the innocent.
So if you're a good person, don't be afraid of law.
You're only afraid of the long when you're doing something
wrong. Peter calls them evildoers, it's
for the punishment of them, but it's for the praise of those
that do good. So suffering because one is a
Christian is Honorable because as we've noticed in the previous
passage it, glorifies God. So, going back to Matthew 5 and
10. The Lord's point is this When we
are mature enough, please get this.
When we are mature enough, To endure persecution for his sake.
Then the kingdom of heaven will be ours.
When we're mature enough to do that, in other words,
persecution of some kind is going to come and see, you know
what? You may have no way to do
anything about that. It's coming.
Sometimes we spend so much time worrying about things, we can't
change. And we don't spend enough time
on the things we really can make a difference in or the things we
really can change. So, I'm going to tell you this.
I don't know how it is in your life, but I'm telling you this,
if you are persecuted and Jesus gives three ways we are.
If you're being persecuted in your life because you're a
Christian, if that is true, There's nothing you could do
about that. You got no power over that.
But you do have power over something.
And that is how you going to handle it and your attitude
about it. Oh, she's talking about
attitude. Again, man, Frank's always
talked about. I know it's coming again.
Remember when I say attitudes the aroma of your heart all
that, it's all about your attitude, I'm gonna add
something. You may have seen this on
YouTube. Because it went viral.
Okay, is a long time ago but there was a little boy Down
syndrome. I watched this over and over, I
thought this was just great. This little boy with Down
Syndrome is a little boy. He was a young man with Down
Syndrome by now and how old he was, but he did something that
was really good. And he received all kinds of
praise and recognition for it. He was being interviewed by a
reporter And the reporter said this young man down.
And he said, Do you think you're down syndrome?
Was a disability? you know, he said, The only
disability in life. Is a bad attitude.
And I thought, man, that's great.
This was a guy that had challenges.
He didn't care, he didn't feel sorry for himself.
He didn't call himself disabled and I know about politically
correct words. I don't know what they are.
So if I'm offending you, I don't mean to.
I don't know disability disabled, I don't know handicap.
I don't know if those are bad words, I don't know.
I'm just saying they're coming from the right place.
I'm not trying to do anything wrong.
I'm just telling you Sometimes people look at their life and
use whatever disability that they have or whatever
shortcoming comes their way or whatever mishap that comes their
way as a reason not to achieve for the rest of their life.
It's about your attitude and your response to it and that man
that had a reason said the only thing in life.
That's A disability is a bad habit.
Look at the next verse. Now, in verse 11, then Jesus
says this blessed, are you this first continues?
The with the same idea as verse 10, but Jesus is making the
point that suffering sometimes is the result of righteousness,
okay? Now let's go back in time,
historically. Okay.
Historically speaking, when people back, then in the early
days of the church, after Acts chapter 2 profess to be
Christians, publicly, you had talked about suffering,
persecution man. They suffered persecution,
sometimes they lost their job. Sometimes they lost their
business. And when you lose your job and
you lose your business, you lose your livelihood.
That's bad. Sometimes when you win against
the state's religion and often times, for example, in Rome,
that would have been paganism. but when you win against the
state's religion, sometimes it led to imprisonment and yes, the
extreme was even losing your life.
You think you're persecuted today?
You may have some stuff and Jesus is going to give some
Credence and some Merit to the stuff we do go through in a
minute. So hang on.
I want you to get into perspective and get the attitude
in the mindset, right? Because you know what, when you
want to really talk about persecution, look at this that's
really bad stuff. Especially imprisonment, losing
your life. Professing Christianity today
though. You know what?
It might lead to? How about losing friends?
How about alienation of friends and family.
What if your family is against you?
Because you're a Christian, How about friends that will not will
no longer talk to you or speak to you because you've changed
your life? You're not fun anymore.
By the way, if you got to lose some friends because you're a
Christian and they won't be your friend because you are, they
weren't your friend. They were not your friend and
you don't need them. You might have that though.
Might come your way. Yes.
You know what Jesus is saying to you, if that is the case.
You are blessed if you suffer those things for his sake.
And I want to tell you something right now, if you're suffering
as a Christian, the Lord is standing up in a symbolic way
cheering you on. I believe that just like when
Stephen, the first martyr was stoned to death.
He looked up in the Bible says the heavens were opened and he
saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
Wow. I think any time I've always
kind of believed that that anytime in a symbolic sense,
perhaps and the Lord, who knows, everything looks down and sees a
Christian that's being persecuted for his namesake and
they will not give in and they will not cave, just maybe the
Lord standing up for you too. And he's saying, don't you quit
I'm with you all the way. if he can be for us, Who in the world
to be against us? The Lord's going to get
specific. Now, this talk about specific
ways of persecution in verse 11. Here's the first way. when they
revile, you Jesus, mentions three basic waves, that evil
people will persecute the righteous.
Number one is with words with words.
What is the word revile mean and that's what he's talking about
here. There's three things and I'm
going to tell you in advance, okay?
I think because we live in the country we live in and maybe we
don't have number to kick in that.
We're going to talk about, maybe we're not persecuted with number
two on this list, but one in three really do apply Even in
our country. Number one, is when you are
persecuted with words, the word revile carries the idea of
seriously insulting, and literally means to cast, in
one's teeth, according to mr. Vine, in other words, somebody
is going to Sears. SLI insult you for being a
Christian. Okay, you can tell that.
You got that? so, they insult you We've all
been insulted. So they insult you, I know it's
hard. But listen, it's nothing.
You can't handle the second one. Though is the word persecute.
And persecute is talking about physical harm.
In fact, the actual work persecute means it has the basic
meaning of putting the flight when threatened with bodily
harm, according to mr. Vine.
And I got to tell you again, I've lived my whole life in this
country and I don't know what it's like in this country for a
Christian to have bodily harm, threatened upon them and may
have happened. I just don't either know about
it or if I did. I don't remember.
So, I put that out there as a little thing.
Little disclaimer. but, you know, in the Philippines there
was a time in the Philippines when bodily harm Was going to be
a problem if we were caught. And we were told by
law-enforcement don't go to this area.
It's a bad, the Muslim influence during this election year were
so great. They were taking people and cap
and taking as captive American missionaries.
And holding them for ransom and even some were killed.
That would be losing your life for the cause of Christ.
We were safe. God took care of us.
He answered our prayers. We were smart though.
We showed up a day earlier than we were supposed to be there so
they didn't know and then we left the day earlier than we
were supposed to leave. So we got in and out, for the
devil knew we were there. as I say, but that could have been
something. But in this country, I don't
know if the case But maybe somebody might revile you or
make fun of you or cast words your way.
What about number three, though? What about this?
Here's number three, and say all kinds of evil against you
falsely for my namesake. I have to tell you something,
okay? When somebody spreads a false
rumor against me, I have to tell you some, I'm going to share
something with you. I have a weakness and I'm going
to tell you it right now. The way that I'm wired and I
always have been If somebody says something about me, that's
not true. My first thing that I have to do
is confront that person. And I've got to prove what
you're saying is not true. Because my name and my honor and
my integrity means something. I'm not saying that that's bad
and that's not necessarily my weakness.
Here's my weakness. It bothers me so bad.
I can't even sleep. Even when it's not true.
I don't have the ability to just let that roll off my back.
It's a struggle for me when I was a little boy.
I was going through a period And I was some things were being
said or whatever. Some other kids or whatever.
And my dad set me down and I said, Dad, I'm handling it, I'm
good, but that was talk to me about it.
I kept saying, I'm alright, I'm handling it.
He said no, no, it's not the, it's not the problem.
The problem is it's bothering you and you can't let it go.
That's my weakness. Okay.
What about nesting General things?
But what if I am being persecuted or somebody speaks
things against me falsely because I'm a Christian for the
name of Jesus Christ. What if those things are said,
guess what? Jesus is going to tell me how to
respond in the next verse you know he says rejoice.
Rejoice. Now, did you know this?
Joy, by the way, rejoicing is Joy.
It's not happiness. There's two different things.
There's a difference between joy and happiness.
Okay, happiness is based on circumstances.
So somebody might say, well I can't be, how can the world can
you be happy about? What's happening to you?
You have to be happy about something bad being happened,
happening to you. In fact, if you are there's
probably something wrong with you.
Nobody likes that man, I'm so excited that that terrible thing
just happened. Yeah, I'm happy, no.
So what that means. But you know what?
Jesus says to do Rejoice. That's joy and joy is a choice.
Because it's an exercise of the will.
It's a choice. You're exercising, your will.
So you can have joy at the very same time, you're unhappy about
the circumstance. He didn't say be happy about it.
He said be joyful about it. One chooses to be joyful, in
spite of difficulty because of his eternal relationship with
God. That's why.
Joy is a discipline that must be learned.
That is so huge. You might say, well I'm
struggling with that. Okay.
We all are, but it's learned. It's a discipline that has to be
learned here. Stopped to consider, you're
never going to graduate as a Christian ever.
You ever said that you're never going to say.
I've made it. You're going to grow the rest of
your life. I hope you're going to grow the
rest of your life because when you stop growing, you start
dying. I hope.
And I pray that I'm not the same man today than I was a year ago.
I hope and pray. I've made some improvements.
And sometimes improvements come with necessary change.
I hope that's the same with you. It's a journey to process and
these disciplines must be learned.
What did Paul say to those Philippians?
He said I've learned whatsoever State.
I am therewith to be content. Contentment is learned.
Contentment falls into the category of rejoicing or having
Joy so you can be content and not be happy.
With us. Then he says this first, he
says, if you're persecuted for righteousness sake, okay, have
enjoy or rejoice. And then he says this and I
really had to wrap my head around this.
I spent a lot of time on this trying to understand and figure
it out. He says, and be exceedingly.
Glad do you know why I had to really think about this one
because of what it actually means.
The phrase be exceedingly. Glad literally means from the
original to Skip and jump with excitement to be overjoyed.
Wow. How's that?
How in the world am I going to do that?
Two ways. How you going to do that?
Two reasons? Number one, Be glad literally
means to skip and jump with excitement to be overjoyed.
The Christian can skip for joy as he excitedly.
Realizes that God has everything under control.
That's number one. God still in control.
So I can be exceedingly, glad not necessarily the
circumstance. And boy, I don't like what
happened to me. But here's the greatest one of
all. Number two, for great is your
reward in heaven. That's how we can skip for joy.
In a symbolic sense, me give you some passages now that support
this second, Timothy 4:8, finally, this is what Paul said.
There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge will give me at that day and not to
me only, but to all those who love his appearing Earthly
possessions fade, and they may be lost, but Heavenly Treasures
are Eternal. Okay, there's a practical reason
to There's a practical reason to have joy when somebody wrongs
you and that's this. I think there's great
contentment, knowing that if somebody wrongs us, we don't
have to make it right by way of Vengeance, we don't have to go
fix it with them. we don't have to straighten them out, we don't
have to correct them, we don't We will have to worry about
their punishment for doing a terrible thing.
God deals with that. God doesn't.
I think there's contentment and knowing that knowledge in Romans
chapter 12. Beginning in verse 19.
Beloved do not avenge yourself, but rather give place to wrath.
Give the place to wrath. What is it?
Where is it for? It is written.
Vengeance is mine, that's God. Give it to God.
Vengeance is mine? I will repay says the Lord.
Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him if he is
thirsty. Give him a drink for in.
So doing you will Heap coals of fire on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
I have to say One little thing about this fire on the head you
can't say this, your motive can't be I'm going to be nice to
him because I really want to blow fire a coal on his head.
No When you do something good for someone that's done bad to
you, you know what happens, it's like pouring coals of fire on
their head because you know why you're giving them no reason at
all. And no justification for their
poor behavior. Number one, and number two,
you're giving him nothing to retaliate for Back off.
No. Fight here. no fight here, and
it makes them infuriated Let God take care of it.
You've heard me say this before Mercedes again, if you have
bitterness in your life because of what somebody has done to
you, please put it down. Bitterness is a heavy load.
Put it down, and your bitterness is doing nothing to the person
that you're mad at is doing everything to you.
It's tearing you up. So put it down.
It's a heavy burden. Remember Joy comes from this to
Great blessings. Here it comes from knowing that
persecution is not permanent. What does Paul say about that?
Is one of my favorite passages and all the Bible.
You've heard my sermon on it. I have a I have one whole sermon
on these two verses. I love it.
I'll be very brief here. It is.
Second Corinthians 4:17, 18 for our light Affliction, which is,
but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of Glory. In other words, look, the
afflictions that we're having in our life are considered light
and their momentary and they're not going to last They're not
Eternal, it's going to go away. But it's also working for us an
exceeding and eternal weight of Glory.
Another though was what that means.
Is this an eternal weight of Glory weight?
Of Glory is your capacity to serve, praise and honor God in
your life. The more you're willing to
endure the greater Your Capacity to serve praise and honor God
and it's not only in this life but it's also in the life that
is to come in heaven. One day, it's all about God,
it's all about our service and when you're willing to endure,
the more you are, the Later, you will be for God in this life on
the other side of the persecution and in heaven for
eternity. Wow, here's another one, is my
mother's favorite Bible. Verse my whole life growing up,
Romans 8:18. For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
What Peter say, first. Peter, 16 and 7 in this, you
greatly Rejoice, there's a word of yet, 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 be tested by fire, may be found to praise honor and Glory
at the revelation of Jesus Christ, okay?
But back to our passage, there's one more thing.
All these great blessings. You're going to have the Kingdom
of Heaven. You're going to understand that
God's going to take care of it, you don't have to have Vengeance
in your heart, you can lay down. Down the bitterness and all
that. You can lay it down and give
place to wrath. Give it to God.
And it's not permanent, it's temporary.
And you get to go to heaven. Okay.
One more thing. I love this and just in case
you're thinking nobody in the world could possibly understand.
The terrible thing that's happened to me, I'm going to
tell you something right now. If you're honest with yourself,
you can open your eyes and find out, somebody said it worse.
Jesus says this how he said too, by the way, For.
So they persecuted the prophets that were before you By the way,
if you're going through all that stuff, you're in good company,
you're in the illustris company. Of Jeremiah.
Zechariah. Elijah.
You're standing in there with the prophets that were
persecuted far worse than anyone will ever be persecuted in this
life in this country. You're in good company.
In conclusion. Here it is very briefly for the
last time. Here are the Beatitudes And I'll
be brief. You got to be poor in spirit.
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
It leads to being morning, over your sin.
I'm going to be comforted because I'm forgiven, it's going
to give me the mental disposition of being Meek.
And I'm going to inherit the earth, and that means I'm going
to inherit my allotted portion in heaven.
It means going to heaven. What else?
I'm gonna hunger, and thirst after righteousness.
And Jesus says, I'm going to be filled.
And that's through the word of God.
I'm going to be merciful because I understand that God was
merciful to me. And when I am merciful, I'll get
God's mercy again. And continually, and even people
in this world would be more inclined to be merciful to me if
I'm merciful to others. I got to be pure in heart but
want to see God and that's always connected to proper and
acceptable worship. I'm going to be a peacemaker.
Jesus says, blessed are the peacemakers for theirs is they
shall be called the sons of God. I'm a peacemaker by my
relationships and by Leading other people to Christ so they
can be at peace with God and I just may be persecuted for
righteousness sake, but Jesus says, okay.
You have the Kingdom of Heaven, if you persevere and you hang in
there, don't you quit? Those persecutions come in three
ways. Words bodily harm or even false
rumors. And Jesus says, if those things
happen to you for my name's sake rejoice, And be exceedingly.
Glad That's it. Those are the Beatitudes I have
now preached five, sermons, covered 12 verses so I don't how
long it could take us get through the Sermon on the Mount
but anyway, Sermon on the Mount the Beatitudes.
Now are entered our invitation. We never close a time when we
teach them the word of God, without extending an invitation
to somebody that might be subject to the gospel call.
If you're not a Christian, the steps to become.
One are very simple. You must hear the word of God
Romans 10:17. So, faith comes by hearing and
hearing by the word of God. You've done that today, but now
you got a choice after you hear the word of God.
You got to believe with all your heart, Hebrews 11:6 without
faith. It's impossible to please him
for. He who comes to God, must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek him. Then you got to repent of your
sins acts 17 and 30. Truly these times of ignorance,
God, overlooked. But now commands all men
everywhere to repent, that just simply means I'm changing my
life. I'm changing my mind.
I'm changing my life. And here's the best part, it's
going to lead to my change in my relationship with Jesus.
Great stuff. Then what?
I'm going to be willing to confess that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God acts 8:37. Then Philip said, if you believe
with all your heart you made and he answered and said, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
These are the steps that lead to or up to, or Point toward the
point of salvation. But the next one is, when you're
saved, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins, Mark
16:16, he who believes and is baptized, will be saved.
But he, who does not believe will be condemned.
If you've never taken those steps of obedience, we'd love to
assist you in that. Maybe you have, maybe you
straight away. What a great time to come back.
Come repent of those things confess, those things will pray
with you and for you and God, will forgive and restore be one
of either Class come forward while we stand and what we see.
We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the
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