The Blessed Life Pt 2
Text: Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed Under Pressure
Intro - The Blessings You Don’t Claim
This is not a warning for some Christians.
This is a promise for faithful Christians.
I. The Blessed Reality of Persecution ( vs. 10 )
- Jesus describes persecution as normal, not exceptional.
- Jesus states persecution is a result of righteousness.
- Jesus promises the reward in the present tense: “theirs IS the kingdom”
II. The Personal Price of Persecution ( vs. 11 )
From a general persecution vs. 10 to a personal pressure vs.11
- Character assassination
- Misrepresentation
- Social exclusion
- False accusations
“Because of Me” - Persecution comes from Allegiance to Jesus
III. The Perspective Jesus Gives ( vs. 12 )
- Jesus gives us a Positive Perspective of Persecution ( Acts 5:40-41 )
- Jesus unites us with his divine plan.
IV. A Picture of Persecution Today and in the Future
- Matthew 5:10-12 shows us the heart of the faithful disciple.
- Revelation shows us the pressure the faithful disciple will face.
- Persecution is a tool of the kingdom of Darkness to force alignment with Darkness. ( Revelation 13:16-17 )
- The Goal of the Beast is total allegiance: everyone, everywhere.
- The Reward of the Beast is economic privilege and social rewards.
- Taking the Mark will be your only way to avoid this persecution.
- The issue is not what the Mark is but what it demands.
V. What Scripture DOES NOT teach:
- That a specific technology equals the mark.
- That believers will accidentally receive it.
- That Christians should live in fear or paranoia
- The danger is not future systems.
- The danger is present compromise.
The Beatitudes lead us to ask:
- Will I obey when it costs me?
- Will I rejoice when I am rejected?
- Will I change my allegiance when I'm no longer comfortable?