Well, good morning.
Something happened 2,000 years ago.
Something major.
A pivotal event in history that was and is the biggest game-changer of all time.
Have you ever dropped a pebble in a steel pond
and watched those concentric circles go out?
On the outskirts of Jerusalem,
something took place that rippled all the way out to Sydney, Australia,
and has actually rippled throughout the entire world,
permeating the 21st century.
That event?
Jesus' physical resurrection from the dead.
This was a miraculous event
that completely defies the laws of nature,
common knowledge, reasonable thinking,
and goes against every lived experience and human understanding.
It's the linchpin that holds the Christian message together.
No resurrection.
Jesus was just another teacher or prophet
who said and apparently did some amazing things.
But he's dead now.
No message of hope without the resurrection.
When you actually see someone destroyed,
nailed to a cross,
breathe their last breath,
embalmed and laid in a tomb,
and then three days later,
you see them in a locked room,
wind up eating fish with them by a lake,
and hang out with them for 40 days,
so there's no doubt.
There's no more speculating or guessing.
We don't reincarnate or cease to exist.
We physically resurrect
into a body that hasn't had its memory wiped,
that is recognisable,
a body that cannot be destroyed,
and that will last forever.
Imagine seeing someone rise from the dead.
It's jaw-dropping stuff.
You're going to spend the rest of your life
telling people about it,
encouraging them,
and warning them to be ready.
That all around us that we see,
this isn't all there is.
There is more to come.
You wouldn't just feel obliged to tell people.
There'd be a sense of urgency,
as we don't know when Jesus will return,
and we don't know when our time will be up.
If we really love and care about anyone at all,
then we'd be telling them about what we know for certain.
What happens next?
We resurrect.
The resurrection turned weak-willed people
who would cow down at the slightest hint of persecution
into bold proclaimers of the gospel,
ready to lay down their lives
as they knew what would come back.
that they would come back.
And they didn't definitely make this story up
and perpetuate some lie.
Why would they die for a lie?
You know the saying,
YOLO, you only live once.
It's just not true.
We live forever,
and the gospel is good news
that if we repent of our sin
and trust in Jesus,
we escape God's good and right judgment.
Do we realize that we deserve condemnation
and the second death?
By God's gracious gift,
eternity awaits the faithful in the new creation,
a forever kingdom
which is completely upside down
to the way in which the world currently lives.
What I've just said
is the truth.
This is not blind faith.
We're invited to enter the Christian faith
with eyes wide open.
We can use reason and logic
and examine the historically compelling evidence.
Yet for some in our current age
and ever since the resurrection took place,
this message is considered utter madness.
What happens when the message is shared?
Some people want to know more.
Some rejoice and embrace it.
And others seek to persecute,
ridicule,
and even attempt to completely silence
and stamp out the message.
Last week,
we began our summer series
from the Sermon on the Mount
when Jesus makes a pronouncement
about the kingdom of God.
Jesus invites us
to be part of his long-awaited kingdom
and instructs his followers
about the nature of the kingdom life,
detailing characteristics
that are upside down
to the world in which we live.
The Beatitudes,
the beautiful attitudes,
contrast Jesus' values
and the values of the world.
Jesus' values,
poor in spirit,
the world values,
self-confident.
Those who mourn,
self-indulge,
seek pleasure.
Those who are meek,
those who are self-important
and arrogant.
Those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness,
those who are self-reliant
and proud.
Those who are merciful,
those who are self-righteous
and unforgiving.
Those who are pure in heart,
those who are self-directed,
libertines.
Those who are self-governing,
those who are peacemakers,
those who are self-governing
and hostile.
Those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
those who self-promote
and are popular
and seek to conform.
Now, while we just had the passage
read to us about salt and light,
being salt and light
is one of the reasons
we are persecuted.
So I'm actually going to be
emphasising the persecuted part today
and pick up on salt and light
next week.
We notice that the world's values
place at the centre
the self
and life revolves around
the self.
In contrast,
God's way is completely upside down
and we replace self
with Christ.
And we want to desire
what he values
and that is at the centre
of our lives.
We must not conclude
that the Beatitudes
are burdensome,
ethical demands,
which Jesus is calling
his listeners
to meritorious attempt
at earning salvation
by living out
these characteristics.
Jesus' Beatitudes
and statements
are of grace,
not law.
These blessings
aren't just for the future,
they can be found
in the present.
Today we're actually
going to focus on
blessed are those
who are persecuted
because of righteousness.
As I mentioned last week,
this is counterintuitive
and sounds masochistic.
What it does not mean
is this.
It does not mean
we're to carry around
a persecution complex,
woe is me,
or deliberately
seek out suffering,
living a miserable,
self-inflicted
Job existence.
Jesus is not talking
about persecution
that can result
from our own sin.
We reap what we sow
and as a result
may suffer
as we justly receive
consequences
for our own foolish actions.
And Jesus is not
talking about
blessed are those
who are persecuted
because they're objectionable
or because they rave on
like wild-eyed fanatics
or because they pursue
some religio-political cause.
The blessing is restricted
to those who suffer
persecution
because of righteousness.
Those who experience
suffering,
they're mocked,
they're ridiculed,
falsely accused,
brought down
because they're determined
to love
and live like Jesus.
sharing the gospel
of forgiveness
and the hope
of resurrection
and their suffering
for it.
Jesus goes on
to teach
that this is the way
it was
right back.
He says,
in the same way
they persecuted
the prophets
who were before you.
So I'm going to share
some stories
this morning
that outline
how this has played out
through biblical history
and flowed out
into our modern era
beginning with the prophets
Jesus spoke of.
Now remember,
a prophet
is a messenger of God.
Prophets brought
God's message
in word
and righteous living
and sometimes
they had to live out
a parable
like Hosea.
There were warnings
to turn back to God
to repent
and live obedient lives.
Prophets were calling
people to live
compassionate lives
and to seek justice
and prophets
also reminded people
of God's promises
that one day
in the future
there'll be a new hope
a messianic age
and a messiah's coming.
So trust God
he's got it covered.
Prophets
were not popular.
Usually
whatever the king
believed
filtered down
to the people.
So if the leadership
was disobedient
to God's commands
if they were immoral
and idolatrous
then the people
followed that example
and followed
the leader's lead.
The prophets
frustrated the kings
the priesthood
and the common people.
No one likes
their disobedience
highlighted
and so when you're
salt and light
in the world
that tends to highlight
disobedience around you
and again I'm going to
talk about that
more next week.
So just like
in today's society
if you proclaim
God's word
it's not well received.
Because they spoke up
and lived lives
worthy of their calling
desiring praise
from God
not from man
here's how some
ended up
persecuted
because of righteousness
and their demise
often came at the hands
of the religious
and their own people.
Tradition records
Isaiah
was thawed in two
under the evil king
Manasseh of Judah.
Jeremiah
was stoned to death
by his own people
for calling out
idolatry.
Ezekiel
was killed
in Babylonia
by what was recorded
as the leader
of the Israelite exiles
for confronting them
about their idolatry.
Micah
was killed
by Joram
King Ahab's son.
Amos
was tortured
severely
by Amaziah
the priest
of Bethel
and later
mortally wounded
by a club
by Amaziah's son.
Habakkuk
was stoned
to death
in Jerusalem.
Blessed are those
who are persecuted
because of righteousness
rejoice
and be glad
because great
is your reward
in heaven
at the resurrection.
In John's gospel
Jesus declared
to his followers
if the world
hates you
keep in mind
that it hated
me first.
If you belong
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.
Remember
what I told you
if they persecuted
me
they will
persecute
you
also.
Two thousand
years ago
something happened
having given up
at the cross
the followers
of Jesus
had a new
spring in their
step
resurrection
hope
and Jesus
ascension
and at
Pentecost
emboldened
by the power
of the Holy Spirit
the first thing
Peter does
he shares
the good news
with everyone
and like the
droplet in the
pond
the message
spreads
like wildfire
and we're
speaking about
it now
on the 9th
of January
2022
here in
Sydney.
Luke records
in the book
of Acts
events that
followed
as the apostles
shared the good
news of Jesus.
firstly
people were
added to the
number daily
thousands
God's kingdom
was advancing
there were people
embracing the
message
and wanted to
know more
Jews and
Gentiles were
hearing the
message of
hope and
turning to
Jesus
but not
everyone felt
the same
way
it's not long
before there is
an attempt to
shut down the
message
in Acts 5
for sharing
the gospel
the religious
leaders
imprison
apostles
and put
them in
jail
but during
the night
an angel
comes and
they're
released
when the
religious
leaders get
the news
of this
this is
what they
decide
they called
the apostles
in and had
them flogged
then they
ordered them
not to speak
in the name
of Jesus
and then
let them
go
the apostles
left the
Sanhedrin
strangely
rejoicing
because they'd
be counted
worthy of
suffering
disgrace
for the
name of
Jesus
later
Stephen is
stoned
to death
he's
seized
and we read
in Acts
chapter 8
verse 1
on that
day a
great
persecution
broke out
against the
church
encouragingly
the last
words Stephen
spoke
almost emulate
Jesus'
last words
Lord
do not
hold this
sin against
them
and we
remember
last week
blessed
are the
merciful
for they
will be
shown
mercy
well how
did the
apostles
meet their
end
John died
of old
age
but everyone
else
well
Peter
Philip
and Bartholomew
were crucified
upside down
Andrew
Thaddeus
Jude
and Simon
were crucified
Matthias
and James
son of
Alphaeus
were stoned
to death
like Stephen
James
son of
Zebedee
was beheaded
or stabbed
by a sword
Matthew
and Thomas
were speared
Luke
was hanged
on an
olive tree
Mark
was dragged
to death
Paul
was beheaded
James
Jesus'
brother
was thrown
off a wall
and then
clubbed to
death
most of
these
at the
hands
of God's
people
the religious
remember
they gave
up at the
cross
they gave
up
but something
happened
and they're
emboldened
by the
resurrection
they spoke
boldly
until
Emperor
Constantine
large scale
persecution
followed
often at the
hands now
of the
Gentiles
the Roman
authorities
one such
example
around
155
AD
the
pastor
Polycarp
was martyred
he was
taken to
the Roman
governor
and refused
to bow
down
and honour
Caesar
as divine
Polycarp
was burnt
at the
stake
and he
prayed
Lord
God
Father
of our
blessed
Saviour
I thank
thee that
I've been
deemed
worthy
to receive
the crown
of martyrdom
and that
I may
die for
thee
and thy
cause
in the
days
leading up
to their
martyrdom
in 1555
the church
reformers
Bishop
Latimer
and Bishop
Ridley
were given
a chance
to recant
their
evangelical
faith
and convert
to
Catholicism
they refused
and were
burnt at the
stake
where Bishop
Latimer
famously
said to
Bishop
Ridley
while tied
to the
post
be of
good
comfort
we
shall
this
day
light
such
a
candle
for
God's
grace
in
England
as I
trust
shall
never
be
put
out
sadly
just as
the first
Jewish
believers
in
Christ
were
martyred
for
their
belief
by
the
religious
Christian
sectarianism
has seen
religious
persecution
in
Queen
Mary's
reign
alone
280
Protestants
were
persecuted
and killed
so let's
now fast
forward
to the
20th
century
there's
been
more
persecution
in
the
last
hundred
years
than
all
the
previous
centuries
combined
Richard
Wurmbrand
the author
of 24
books
minister
of the
gospel
and
CEO
of
Jesus
mission
to
the
communist
world
until
his
death
in
2001
of
natural
causes
collated
and
recorded
numerous
stories
of the
persecution
of
Christians
for
being
a
follower
of
Jesus
himself
he
was
imprisoned
for
14
years
tortured
in
communist
Romania
between
1948
and
1964
he
recalls
one
story
from
his
book
in
the
face
of
surrender
Bishop
Victor
Belich
a
Ukrainian
Christian
spent
24
years
in
communist
jails
if
he
wanted
to
get
out
all
he
had
to
do
was
recant
and
say
I
turn
my
back
on
Jesus
I
don't
believe
this
anymore
and
turn
away
from
God
the
first
20
years
20
years
so
who's
here in
the audience
not 20
yet
so
all your
life so
far
and then
add
some
on
he
spent in
prison
in a
small
cell
where he
had to
walk
around
like an
animal
in a
circus
and he
couldn't
stop
walking
if he
did
they would
throw
cold
water
on him
and
beat
him
if he
broke
down
he would
get a
straw
mattress
and he'd
only get
seven hours
sleep
a night
so for
17 hours
a day
he was
wandering
around
this
small
cell
surveyed
by
jailers
no
contact
from
family
no
contact
from
friends
after
this
strict
regime
he was
actually
sent
for
another
four
years
to
northern
Siberia
where the
snow
never
melts
Richard
Wurmbrand
met him
and asked
him
how could
you bear
this
persecution
after years
in solitary
confinement
and a
starvation
diet
he replied
singing a
song
that he
composed
himself
and
Richard
Wurmbrand
actually
records
that
his face
lit up
when he
sang it
like
Stephen's
face
that lit
up
before
he
passed
and
this
is
the
song
I
don't
know
the
tune
he
said
with
the
flames
of
love's
fire
that
Jesus
kindled
in
my
heart
I
caused
the
ice
of
Siberia
to
melt
hallelujah
wow
I don't
know
if we
could
stand
that
ourselves
or put
up
with
it
the
organization
open
doors
which you
should
know
of
or hope
you
know
of
seek
to
strengthen
and equip
Christians
around
the
world
who are
facing
persecution
and
discrimination
because
of
their
faith
in
Jesus
Christ
they
have
countless
stories
one
of
which
includes
the
story
of
a
Ugandan
girl
Susan
who was
just
14
years
old
when
her
strict
Islamic
family
found
out
that
she
had
become
a
Christian
her
father
locked
her
in
a
room
and
told
her
to
sit
on
a
mat
until
she
was
willing
to
deny
Jesus
she
remained
there
three
months
before
she
was
rescued
she
refused
to
deny
Jesus
according
to the
International
Society
of
Human
Rights
now
this
is
a
non
religious
organisation
80%
of all
acts
of
religious
discrimination
in the
world
today
are
directed
at
Christians
approximately
340
million
Christians
in the
top
50
countries
of the
world
watch
list
experience
high
levels
of
persecution
the
Bible
is
banned
in
over
a
quarter
of
the
world's
countries
one
Christian
is
killed
every
five
minutes
now
I hope
I haven't
laboured
the point
too much
and I
can assure
you
this is
the
edited
PG
version
the
lesson
follow
Jesus
love
like
Jesus
live
like
Jesus
declare
this
message
and you
can expect
to face
persecution
in some
form
or another
these are
not my
words
these are
Jesus
words
paraphrased
Jesus
words
are
these
blessed
are
those
who
are
persecuted
because
of
righteousness
they
will
share
in the
suffering
of
prophets
who
went
before
them
Australia
as a
nation
is moving
further
from the
Christian
faith
don't
wish
it
but
expect
pressure
to ramp
up
the
Christian
journalist
Greg
Sheridan
who's
recently
written
a few
novels
the
urgent
case
for
Jesus
in
the
world
and
God
is
good
for
you
noted
recently
in
the
Australian
our
culture
is in
need
of
all
the
help
it
can
get
modern
liberalism
cut off
from the
sustenance
of its
Christian
roots
is running
mad
down
every
dead
end
diving
into
every
poison
creek
of
extremes
and if
not the
war of
all
against
all
an
increasing
intolerance
of almost
all
for
anybody
they
disagree
with
the
sermon
on the
mount
is
counter
cultural
it's
upside
down
it
holds
the
antidote
for
how
we
should
live
in
the
world
but
people
don't
want
to
hear
it
and
they're
actually
working
really
hard
to
silence
and
shut
down
the
gospel
message
if
we
don't
side
with
the
secular
culture
expect
intolerance
character
assassination
to
be
cancelled
vilified
in
the
press
or
worse
the
atheist
journalist
peter
fit
simmons
regularly
targets
christians
and apart
from ridiculing
the belief
he labours
the point
keep it
to yourself
the problem
with that
is there's
no place
in christianity
to hold a
personal
private
quiet
faith
we're not
to keep
it to
ourselves
jesus
commanded
go and
make
disciples
go
and make
disciples
that's
every
one
of
us
it's
easy
to
conform
to
go
with
the
status
quo
and
go
along
with
the
crowd
we
need
to
be
on
guard
so
that
we
don't
fall
away
jesus
warned
his
followers
later
in
matthew
chapter
7
watch
out
there'll
be
wolves
in
sheep's
clothing
jesus
went
on
to
teach
in
the
parable
of
the
sower
it's
very
familiar
in
matthew
13
the
seed
falling
on
rocky
ground
refers
to
someone
who
hears
the
word
of
god
and
at
once
receives
it
with
joy
but
since
they
have
no
root
it
only
lasts
a
short
time
when
trouble
or
persecution
comes
because
of
the
word
they
quickly
fall
away
and
it's
because
the
seed
has
fallen
on
rocky
ground
sadly
Christians
and
religious
leaders
are buckling
from
pressure
to
conform
in
society
to
no
longer
listen
to
god's
word
or
obey
god's
word
and
their
roots
are
exposed
as
rocky
ground
it's
even
seeping
into
our
Anglican
schools
throughout
Australia
our
schools
which
are
shaping
our
next
generation
there
are
chaplains
who
don't
believe
in
the
resurrection
they
openly
endorse
immorality
they
teach
pluralism
are
given
directives
to
assume
that
everyone
is
saved
or
to
teach
people
are
mostly
good
and
talk
in
general
terms
about
god
but
don't
talk
about
Jesus
an
attempt
to
make
Christianity
attractional
through
moralistic
theism
which
is
basically
be a
good
person
and
god's
kind
of
good
for
you
popular
Christianity
is not
biblical
and
biblical
Christianity
is not
popular
while
we're all
gifted in
different
ways
we're
one
body
with
many
parts
if we
really
care
about
people
we
can't
keep
this
message
of
hope
to
ourselves
we
share
because
we
care
and
we
care
enough
to
share
Jesus
whatever
stage of
life
we're
in
whatever
our
gender
our
age
our
occupation
the
Sermon
on the
Mount
calls
the followers
of Jesus
to
righteousness
love
and live
like
Jesus
and openly
declare this
message
both in
word
and
deed
how much
do we
value the
name of
Jesus
and how
willing are
we to
follow him
Jesus
reminds us
to count
the cost
if anyone
would come
after me
they must
deny
themselves
and take
up their
cross
and follow
me
for whoever
wants to
save their
life will
lose it
but whoever
loses their
life for me
and for the
gospel
will save
it
grace
is a
free
gift
but there
is a
cost
following
Jesus
if we
are salt
and light
in the
world
this
exposes
darkness
and people
don't like
that
and we're
going to
explore this
a bit
more
next week
in more
detail
taking up
your cross
and following
Jesus
means we
have to
accept the
whole
Jesus
not only
what is
pleasant
but his
crown of
thorns
if you've
never
experienced
some form
of persecution
and you're
faithful
I'm not
wishing this
on you
but it
will happen
sooner or
later
at the
moment in
Australia
I think
it's low
level
maybe some
name calling
possibly some
physical
hit out
or maybe
you're
shunned
it's not
so bad
if you have
experienced
persecution
and found
yourself
crying out
why God
remember
Jesus
has walked
in our
shoes
Jesus
was left
alone
Jesus
was ridiculed
Jesus
was beaten
down
he was
broken
he was
betrayed
Jesus
was falsely
accused
he was
let down
by close
friends
he was
hurt
and he
shed
tears
when we
cry out
in anguish
we have
one who
sympathizes
with us
Jesus
like the
early
disciples
who were
rejoicing
because they
had been
counted
worthy
of
suffering
disgrace
for the
name
of
Jesus
if we
suffer
for the
name
of
Jesus
it's a
sign
that we're
doing
something
right
if we
share
in their
experience
rejoice
God
has a
special
blessing
for those
who have
this
beautiful
attitude
persecuted
for
righteousness
heaven
is theirs
I want to
conclude
with the
words of
Richard
Wurmbrand
who reminds
us
we can
learn
from
Christians
who have
suffered
Christians
must be
prepared to
face adversity
and personal
trauma
God can
protect us
and give us
happy days
but no
believer is
exempt from
tribulations
let us
expect them
with serenity
our journey
in life
will not be
easy
but with
God's
help
we may
succeed
let's
pray
father in
heaven
we know
that blessed
are those
who are
persecuted
because of
righteousness
for theirs
is the
kingdom of
heaven
help us
to stand
under
temptation
trial
suffering
and
persecution
Jesus
said
blessed
are you
when people
insult
you
persecute
you
and falsely
say all
kinds of
evil
against you
because of
me
help us
to be
patient
loving
and forgiving
and ready
to speak
the truth
in love
for the name
of Jesus
many have
suffered
we pray
for our
brothers and
sisters
globally
who are
facing
extreme
persecution
right now
comfort
protect
and deliver
them from
evil
strengthen
us by
your Holy
Spirit
to be
prepared
to go
where Jesus
has gone
to be
bold
and take
up our
cross
and follow
him
help us
not to lose
sight of
the end
goal
when we
do face
hardships
and suffer
fill us
with an
inexpressible
joy
to rejoice
and be
glad
knowing that
great will
be our
reward in
heaven
in our
Saviour
Jesus
name we
pray
Amen
viele
to
happen