WEBVTT 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:01.679 Let's start with this question. 00:00:03.100 --> 00:00:07.080 What are you willing to suffer for? 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:09.700 What are you willing to suffer for? 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:14.939 My family and I, my family and me, we, 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:19.420 have been watching the qualifying trials for the Olympics. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:21.660 Anybody else watching some of these stuff? 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:26.699 The gymnastics have been phenomenal, track and field, swimming. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:31.579 And as I'm watching these athletes compete on the highest level, 00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:33.920 it occurs to me, man, for them to do that, 00:00:33.979 --> 00:00:35.619 they've got to suffer the loss of some stuff. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:41.439 I doubt they like to eat or can eat chocolate cake as much as I do. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:45.379 I doubt that they're making regular Culver's runs like I do. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:53.460 Not only are they suffering loss, or so we think, in their diets, 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:58.399 could you imagine what it would be like for an Olympic-level swimmer, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:05.299 how many laps every day someone of that caliber has to swim? 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:07.240 You know what? 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:09.719 It's like, how do you deal with the boredom? 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:11.200 Where does your mind go? 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:17.379 And then there's the kind of just physical pain. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:21.159 Whether that's injury, one has to suffer, 00:01:22.020 --> 00:01:25.260 or, I mean, if you're familiar with track and field at all, 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:31.219 the 400 is a grueling race on the human body. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:33.920 Every race is agony. 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:36.060 Man. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:39.079 They're willing to suffer. 00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:41.780 What are you willing to suffer for? 00:01:42.620 --> 00:01:44.840 Let me turn up the volume a little bit now. 00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:49.400 These athletes suffer, 00:01:50.020 --> 00:01:54.500 they willingly suffer the loss of something for gold and glory, right? 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:00.760 What are you willing to suffer harm for? 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:03.480 Not just the loss of something, 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:04.680 not just going without, 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:09.060 but what are you willing to suffer harm for? 00:02:09.140 --> 00:02:12.640 What are you willing to be persecuted for? 00:02:16.040 --> 00:02:18.080 When I talk about persecution, 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:19.700 and Jesus is going to talk about it, 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:22.020 it shows up three times that word persecute 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:23.580 in our passage today, 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:26.180 verses Matthew 5, 10, 11, and 12. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:29.800 I'm approaching it generally like this. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:36.060 Persecution is when someone is singled out and harassed for who they are or what they stand for. 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:38.180 So persecution, generally speaking, 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:43.240 is someone getting singled out and getting harassed for who they are or what they stand for. 00:02:44.920 --> 00:02:46.820 What are you willing to be persecuted for? 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:50.439 What are you willing to suffer harm for? 00:02:50.519 --> 00:02:51.939 Now throughout the ages, 00:02:53.019 --> 00:02:56.060 people have been persecuted for a variety of reasons. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:02:59.879 Good and evil, 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:01.599 all in between, 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:02.759 political, 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:04.039 social, 00:03:04.519 --> 00:03:04.900 religious, 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:06.060 economic, 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:09.199 all sorts of different kinds of persecution. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:12.159 It runs the gamut of human experience in history. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:14.120 Which just goes to show, 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.539 it's a really sad commentary on the wickedness of the human heart. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:19.560 We've been persecuting each other for a long time. 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.680 But this morning, 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:27.400 we are coming to the end of the Beatitudes. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:32.159 Matthew 5, 10 is the last stop on the line in the Beatitudes. 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:35.620 And Jesus says, 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:40.040 blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:44.460 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:48.540 Jesus has something peculiar, 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:50.960 something particular in mind 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:53.640 when He's talking about persecution in Matthew 5, 10. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:59.300 What He's basically saying is this. 00:04:00.760 --> 00:04:04.140 If you have been called to follow Jesus, 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:07.140 you've been called to suffer for Jesus. 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:11.719 If you've been called to follow Jesus, 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:14.900 you've been called to suffer for Jesus. 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:18.220 And persecution is not an if, 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:20.019 it's a when. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:22.199 It's not if. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:25.159 It's when. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.240 This morning, I want to help you see 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:36.459 who are those who are being persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:41.699 And in order to do justice to this last Beatitude, 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:46.180 we need to delve into verses 11 and 12. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:50.519 Because this is the only Beatitude Jesus elaborates on. 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:52.839 And so here we have the Beatitudes. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:54.479 Close out in 5, 10. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:58.139 And then He elaborates on the last one. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.679 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:01.900 In verses 11 and 12. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:06.240 He really wants us to pay attention. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:11.160 He's emphasizing this last one for a reason. 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:13.740 But just to be clear, 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:19.079 Jesus is not asking His followers in Matthew 5, 10. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:20.740 He's not asking them, 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:22.740 hey, are you willing to suffer for me? 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:25.340 He's telling them, 00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:28.699 you will suffer for me. 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:33.300 And above all, He says this, 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:36.280 when you suffer for me, 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:37.860 rejoice. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:40.319 And be glad. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:43.019 It's a command. 00:05:44.400 --> 00:05:45.560 And it's surprising. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:49.600 Your calling to follow Christ 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:51.439 was your calling to suffer for Christ. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:52.439 And all of us, 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:53.759 if we're followers of Jesus, 00:05:54.100 --> 00:05:56.420 if we're living out the Beatitudes, 00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:59.639 if we are looking and smelling like Jesus, 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:03.759 we're going to suffer for Him. 00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:06.139 For His sake. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.879 And so in order to help you see this 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:10.720 from this passage, 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:13.100 I'm going to make three points this morning. 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:15.640 I want you to help you to see that 00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:17.260 if you're a follower of Jesus, 00:06:17.700 --> 00:06:19.320 you're called to suffer for Him. 00:06:19.400 --> 00:06:21.540 And I want to help you see that three ways. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.480 First, the structure of this passage. 00:06:25.200 --> 00:06:26.140 It's emphatic. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.200 There's something about the structure 00:06:28.200 --> 00:06:30.680 that helps us see that Jesus is really serious 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:31.520 in what He's saying here. 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.860 And then I want to hit on the subject matter 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:36.680 of being persecuted. 00:06:37.320 --> 00:06:37.600 Okay? 00:06:38.040 --> 00:06:39.420 So structure, subject, 00:06:39.820 --> 00:06:42.460 and then we hit the surprise of the passage. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:44.139 There's actually two surprises here. 00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:46.719 And so that's how we're going to cover 00:06:46.719 --> 00:06:48.079 this passage this morning. 00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:51.379 The structure, subject, and the surprise. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:56.379 Let's turn to the structure of this passage 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:59.359 which emphasizes what Jesus is saying here. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:02.500 So if you look at Matthew 5.10, 00:07:03.099 --> 00:07:03.539 we read, 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.740 Blessed are those who are persecuted 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.779 for righteousness' sake. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:09.879 And we've got to ask the question, 00:07:10.239 --> 00:07:12.939 who are those those? 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:15.919 Who are the those 00:07:15.919 --> 00:07:17.739 that Jesus is talking about here? 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:20.639 And that's where I want to help you 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:22.479 see something going on in this passage 00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:25.599 that may feel like a little English lesson at first. 00:07:25.679 --> 00:07:26.500 So bear with me. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:30.259 Has anybody heard the words 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.939 literary structure before? 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:33.920 Literary structure. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.300 You might have heard them 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:37.680 in two different contexts, 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:39.879 like literary, okay, words, structure, 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.240 I think of buildings, form, 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:43.959 but I don't tend to use those together, okay? 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:45.980 So what we're talking about 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.579 when it's literary structure 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:50.740 is the form these words are taking 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:51.639 in the Beatitudes. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:53.740 And they say something. 00:07:54.599 --> 00:07:55.860 The form says something. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:56.800 Let me show you. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:59.860 Look at Matthew 5.3, 00:08:00.039 --> 00:08:01.180 the first Beatitude. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:03.560 Blessed are the poor in spirit, 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.680 for theirs, say it with me, 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:09.719 is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.779 Now go down to 5.10. 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:13.939 5.10 says, 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:16.699 Blessed are those who are persecuted 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:18.839 for righteousness' sake, 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:19.659 and say it with me, 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:22.780 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:25.160 Do you see anything familiar there 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:26.140 between those two verses? 00:08:27.700 --> 00:08:29.040 They're bookends. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:32.660 And so those two last parts 00:08:32.660 --> 00:08:33.840 of 5.3 and 5.10, 00:08:33.920 --> 00:08:35.240 they serve as bookends 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:36.820 for what Jesus is talking about. 00:08:37.560 --> 00:08:39.120 And so what that means for us is 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.100 Jesus is saying 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.759 everything that comes in between 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:43.560 is to be taken as a whole. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.220 It's taken as a composite profile 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.480 of a citizen of heaven. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:50.960 And so all of this, 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.399 all of the Beatitudes, 00:08:52.700 --> 00:08:54.920 they describe one person, 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:56.759 a follower of Jesus, 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.320 all of them together. 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.460 And so he's saying, 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.700 in light of those kind of 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:04.480 blessed are the poor in spirit, 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:07.060 blessed are those who are persecuted 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:07.980 for righteousness' sake, 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.680 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:10.279 You see that? 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.779 Those are bookends that help us 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:14.899 to see that Jesus is talking 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:16.000 about one person here. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:21.019 So the those in 5.10 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:24.220 are the beautiful ones in God's eyes. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.639 Those who are manifesting 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.700 the Beatitudes. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.899 The blessed ones. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:37.299 Those who are mourning their sin. 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.220 Those who are meek. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.200 Those who are hungering, thirsting 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:41.340 for righteousness. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:42.360 The merciful. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.559 The pure in heart. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.719 Those peacemakers. 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:47.379 That's the those. 00:09:48.719 --> 00:09:52.379 So, all the citizens of heaven. 00:09:52.619 --> 00:09:54.099 Those who have been transferred 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:55.879 from the kingdom of darkness 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.799 into the kingdom of the beloved Son 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:59.299 through the blood of the Son. 00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:02.299 That's who Jesus is talking about 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:02.959 in 5.10. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.779 Blessed are those 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.939 who are persecuted 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:11.980 for righteousness' sake. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.000 Now, a couple other things 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:14.539 structurally 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:16.059 that I want you to see here. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:16.819 So, there's that 00:10:16.819 --> 00:10:18.439 those bookends, right? 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:21.980 But I've been telling you 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:22.600 all along here 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.360 when we've been going through 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.159 the Beatitudes 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:26.439 it's a progression. 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:27.799 They build on one another. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.079 And so, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:30.919 we've gotten to 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.139 the last Beatitude. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:34.620 This is the thunder. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:37.279 This is what Jesus 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.539 wants to leave us with. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:40.899 And so, 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:42.860 this progression 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.720 because it ends on 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.820 blessed are those 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:46.639 who are persecuted 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.960 for righteousness' sake. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.560 Jesus, 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.659 by its position 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:52.899 in the progression, 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:55.259 Jesus is emphasizing it. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:58.240 And not just that, 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:00.539 He then elaborates on it 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.500 in 11 and 12. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.059 And so, 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:03.500 He said, 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.580 just to be sure, 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.240 I want you to see something, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:07.559 okay? 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.120 And so, 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:09.639 I want you to see 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.159 how Jesus 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.740 emphasizes this. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:13.220 So, 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:13.779 verse 10, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.740 blessed are those 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.360 who are persecuted 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:16.399 for righteousness' sake 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:17.659 for theirs is 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.379 the kingdom of heaven. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:20.580 It's third person, 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:21.200 okay? 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:22.779 Those people, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.700 this is what's going to happen. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:25.899 This is what's true of them. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.179 And then look what happens 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.220 in verse 11. 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:30.399 Jesus turns up the volume. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.779 And this is how He does it. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.319 He says, 00:11:33.699 --> 00:11:35.299 blessed are you 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:38.480 when you, 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.360 when others revile you 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.279 and persecute you 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:42.840 and utter all kinds of evil 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.919 against you falsely 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:44.659 on my account. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:46.919 You see what He did right there? 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.399 He goes from talking about them 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:51.019 to talking about you. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:54.779 He dials it in on us. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.860 He's emphasizing this. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:02.240 So, 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.320 whatever this last beatitude is, 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.940 it's where Jesus 00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:08.680 is closing out 00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:10.220 and emphasizing 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:11.940 and we've got to know 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:12.940 what He's talking about. 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.320 It's important. 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:17.700 And so, 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.800 we've talked about this structure 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:21.539 that is emphasizing 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:23.019 this last beatitude 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.580 and it has to do 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.680 with persecution. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:27.079 So, 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:28.139 let's talk about this 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.099 subject matter 00:12:30.099 --> 00:12:31.899 of persecution. 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.879 Blessed are those 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.739 who are persecuted 00:12:34.739 --> 00:12:38.019 for righteousness' sake. 00:12:39.479 --> 00:12:41.959 What is persecution? 00:12:42.239 --> 00:12:42.419 Well, 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.939 as I told you in the intro, 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:46.219 it's getting singled out 00:12:46.219 --> 00:12:47.799 and harassed 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:49.559 for who you are 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.899 and what you stand for. 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:51.959 And what I want you 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:52.679 to see right now 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.559 is how it shows up 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.819 three times in this passage. 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:55.580 So, 00:12:56.020 --> 00:12:56.720 verse 10, 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.560 blessed are those 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:58.520 who are persecuted 00:12:58.520 --> 00:12:59.700 for righteousness' sake. 00:13:00.140 --> 00:13:00.860 Verse 11, 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.020 blessed are you 00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:03.100 when others revile you 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.720 and persecute you. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:06.240 And then in verse 12, 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.900 rejoice and be glad 00:13:07.900 --> 00:13:08.780 for your reward 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:09.580 is great in heaven 00:13:09.580 --> 00:13:10.520 for so they 00:13:10.520 --> 00:13:12.520 persecuted the prophets 00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:13.620 who were before you. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.520 Persecution is the subject matter 00:13:16.520 --> 00:13:17.840 going on right here. 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:19.540 Jesus is wanting 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:20.420 to say something 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:21.740 to us about it. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.799 to prepare us 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:25.940 to help us think 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.480 well about it. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.860 Well, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.000 we need to ask the question, 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:31.580 okay, 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.460 that's the definition 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.639 of persecution. 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.539 What does this persecution 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.080 look like? 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.799 Because when I, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.500 I'm guessing, 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:39.019 when you think of being persecuted, 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.899 you think about people 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:42.279 getting burned at the stake. 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.320 You're thinking about 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.340 missionaries 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.639 from bygone eras 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.860 and even present times 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.639 who suffer the greatest cost 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.860 and they're put to death 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:51.379 for Jesus. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:52.740 Well, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.240 that's true. 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.320 That's part of 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.960 what persecution is. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.519 But it's not just that. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.139 And thanks be to God, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.820 Jesus elaborates on this. 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.180 And so, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.220 He talks about persecution 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.919 in 5.10 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:08.139 and then He comes back 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.940 in 5.11 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.320 and helps us get 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.259 the gamut 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.200 of persecution. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.259 Would you look at 5.11? 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:15.600 Blessed are you 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.419 when others revile you. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:19.779 That means throw insults at you. 00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:22.200 When they persecute you, 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:24.340 that means press hard on you. 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.819 Pursue you. 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:26.679 Come after you. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.519 It can have a physical connotation. 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:31.539 And utter all kinds of evil 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.559 against you 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.319 falsely on my account. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:37.039 False accusations. 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.720 So when Jesus is talking 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.840 about being persecuted, 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:43.019 He's not just talking about 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.000 getting beat up and killed. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.639 He's talking about 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.279 when people talk 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.079 behind your back. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.579 When people make fun of you. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.480 When people cast insults 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:52.919 on you 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:54.059 for being a Christ follower. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:54.939 When people 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:57.100 accuse you falsely 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:57.919 for things, 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.960 evil things, 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.120 on account of Jesus. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:02.939 And so, 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.079 what Jesus means 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:04.960 by persecution 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.360 is not just this narrow 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.439 kind of people 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.500 dying for Jesus. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.159 It includes, 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.620 but it's so much more. 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.039 And I'm guessing 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.799 if you're a follower 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.379 of Jesus, 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.480 you can relate 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.600 to what He's talking about. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.399 You've suffered it. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.419 You've suffered 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.600 the behind the back talking. 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.100 You've suffered 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:23.639 missing job promotions 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:25.000 because you won't do 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.600 certain things 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.539 in the workplace. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:32.059 So, 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.819 we've been talking 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.019 about this subject matter 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.759 of persecution. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.099 What it is. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.319 Now, 00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.179 I want to be clear 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:42.620 on that you see 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.500 who this is for. 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:49.319 Jesus does not say, 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.120 blessed are all 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.360 who are persecuted, 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:54.099 period. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:56.240 He does not say that. 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.740 He says, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.399 blessed are those 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:01.700 who are persecuted 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:04.659 for righteousness' sake. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.680 What does righteousness' sake mean? 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:08.920 Well, 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:10.379 it's what He's been talking about 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.360 in the Beatitudes 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.420 that precede it. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:15.139 Those who are poor in spirit, 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.860 those who mourn their sin, 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.399 those who are meek, 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:20.800 hunger and thirst 00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:21.700 after righteousness, 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:23.460 merciful, 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.500 pure in heart, 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.460 peacemakers, 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.759 those, 00:16:27.020 --> 00:16:28.900 that's the righteousness' sake. 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:31.020 It's very Christ-like. 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.800 If you start looking 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.920 at those Beatitudes, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:34.500 you start seeing 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.900 a profile of Jesus Himself. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.980 If you live that way, 00:16:37.020 --> 00:16:37.820 you start smelling 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.980 and acting like Jesus. 00:16:45.400 --> 00:16:45.900 But then, 00:16:46.420 --> 00:16:46.680 Jesus, 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.940 if there's any question, 00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:50.520 He elaborates on this. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.919 So, 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.699 in verse 11, 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.919 He says this, 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.759 blessed are you 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.860 when others revile you 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.720 and persecute you 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.819 and utter all kinds 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:01.439 of evil against you falsely. 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.100 I don't know 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.059 what your version says. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.859 It may say, 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.759 for my sake. 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.859 My version, 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.879 the ESV says, 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.819 on my account. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.720 The righteousness' sake 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.359 ultimately 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.980 is Jesus' righteousness 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.039 for His sake. 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:18.700 And so, 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.839 what Jesus is saying here, 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:21.599 those who are blessed, 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.339 those who are happy 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.180 when persecuted, 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.579 those who rejoice 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.980 and can be glad 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.200 are those 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.240 who are suffering, 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:30.759 being singled out 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.680 and harassed 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.779 for Jesus. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:33.839 He says, 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:37.459 says it's going to happen. 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.779 For righteousness' sake 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.319 is the equivalent 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.799 of saying 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.879 for Jesus' sake. 00:17:49.939 --> 00:17:50.839 You might be like, 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.879 hmm, 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.199 you know, 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.079 nobody told me that 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.059 when I became a Christian. 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:59.159 That would have been 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.879 good information 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:02.359 when I became a Christian. 00:18:04.179 --> 00:18:05.220 In Luke 14, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.539 Jesus is talking 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.359 to these crowds 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.419 about the cost 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:09.259 of following Him. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:09.639 And do you know 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.339 what He says to them? 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.440 Hey, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.720 before you follow me, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.599 just make sure 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.319 you do the math. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.559 He says, 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:16.740 hey, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.419 before you follow me, 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:18.819 you want to be like 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.419 the person 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:20.379 that when they build 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.000 their house, 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.639 they make sure 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.440 they have enough money 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.139 to cover it. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.200 You want to be like 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.960 those kings 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.960 who go out to battle 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.240 but before they go out, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.519 they send out envoys 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.100 to make sure 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:30.940 that if they engage 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.259 in battle 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.120 with this other army 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.059 that they can actually 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.539 beat it. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.380 And what Jesus 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.420 is saying there is 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.480 make sure you know 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.299 what you're getting into 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.200 when you follow me. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.220 And so if you're not 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.700 a Christian 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.700 in this room, 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.779 you need to realize 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.759 that following Jesus 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.460 is costly. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.840 You suffer for Him. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.700 There's great joy 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.440 in it. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.500 And if you're someone 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.579 who'd become a Christian 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:57.199 and you didn't realize it, 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.500 it's like, 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:57.960 hello! 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:58.899 Surprise! 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.659 You're going to suffer. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.359 What the New Testament 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.480 says over and over again 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.099 is that 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:09.079 to suffer for Jesus 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.819 is to be expected. 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:13.079 It's not if, 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.779 it's when. 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.759 Can I show you 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.339 some passages 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.259 where it's very clear? 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.119 In 2 Timothy 3.12, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.980 Jesus says this, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.579 oh, Jesus, 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:23.199 Paul says this, 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.839 indeed, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.899 all who desire 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:29.259 to live a godly life 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.879 in Christ Jesus 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:32.839 will be persecuted. 00:19:33.439 --> 00:19:34.099 No exceptions. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.159 If you want to turn 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.659 in your Bible 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:39.740 to the book of John, 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.899 John 15, 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.279 and, you know, 00:19:42.419 --> 00:19:43.539 when you hear John 15, 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:43.879 you're like, 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.199 oh, yes, Jesus. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.299 He's the vine, 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.199 we're the branches, 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.480 we abide in Him 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.319 and He in us, 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.500 and then we bear 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.679 Jesus' fruit, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.939 fruit that is, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.500 smells and tastes, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.659 feels like Jesus. 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.319 That's right. 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.200 That's the passage. 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.359 And then, 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.700 a little later on, 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:04.299 in verses 18 through 21, 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.039 in the same passage, 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.980 Jesus says this, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.899 if the world hates you, 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.480 know that it has hated me 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.579 before it hated you. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.639 If you were of the world, 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.700 the world would love you 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.419 as its own, 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.480 but because you're not 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.939 of the world, 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.000 because I chose you 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.079 out of the world, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.879 therefore, 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:22.139 because you're mine, 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.480 therefore, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.519 the world hates you. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.460 Remember the word 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.220 that I said to you, 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.579 a servant is not greater 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.480 than his master. 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:32.379 If they persecuted me, 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:36.359 they will also persecute you. 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:39.159 You're going to get singled out 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:40.480 and you're going to get harassed 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.319 because you're a follower 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.839 of Jesus. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.939 Expect it. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:47.600 But all these things 00:20:47.600 --> 00:20:48.740 they will do to you 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:52.279 on account of my name. 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.960 Verse 21. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.720 Let me bring you 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.420 to one more passage. 00:20:57.420 --> 00:21:00.160 1 Peter. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.180 1 Peter. 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.660 Chapter 4. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.380 1 Peter. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.060 Chapter 4. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.400 Starting in verse 12. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.279 Beloved, 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.240 do not be surprised 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.720 at the fire trial 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.720 when it comes upon you 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.279 to test you 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.480 as though something strange 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.500 were happening to you. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:21.220 but rejoice 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.640 insofar as you share 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.579 Christ's sufferings 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.420 that you may also 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:26.319 rejoice and be glad 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.759 when His glory is revealed. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.559 If you are insulted 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.640 for the name of Christ, 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.500 you are blessed 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.640 because of the spirit 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.240 of glory 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.000 and of God 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.140 rests upon you. 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.700 And then he says, 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.660 but let none of you 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:37.240 suffer as a murderer 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.019 or a thief 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.940 or an evildoer 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.720 or as a meddler, 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.980 someone who sticks their nose 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.000 into other people's business. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:44.539 Yet if anyone suffers 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.680 as a Christian, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.940 let him not be ashamed, 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.220 but let him glorify God 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.720 in that name. 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.680 I'm not sure 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.500 if you noticed this, 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:54.680 but Peter says 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.579 that you may also rejoice 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.200 and be glad 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.240 when His glory is revealed. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.019 If you are insulted 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.299 for the name of Christ, 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.279 you are blessed. 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:04.819 Do you know why 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.559 Peter sang that? 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:09.799 Peter was right there 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:11.440 listening to Jesus 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:13.200 during the Sermon on the Mount 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.480 when Jesus is talking 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.420 about the Beatitudes. 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.039 So when Jesus says, 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:17.799 blessed are those 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.500 who are persecuted, 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:21.100 that burned into Peter's mind. 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.580 And he knew that firsthand. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.420 When he says, 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.519 rejoice and be glad, 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:28.019 it shows up here. 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:30.640 It burned into his mind. 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.120 So what I want to show you there 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.720 is that the Apostle Paul, 00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:35.240 John, Peter, 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.700 all these guys say 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:39.860 that Christians will suffer 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.639 persecutions for Christ. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.399 Jesus did. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.379 This subject matter 00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:50.759 is really important to get. 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.459 Especially where we are right now 00:22:53.459 --> 00:22:54.019 as a culture. 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.619 None of us 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:59.079 are being threatened 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.859 with being killed. 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:03.579 At least no real threats. 00:23:03.679 --> 00:23:04.919 We had something this past week 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.860 that was pretty interesting. 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.240 But what I want to make clear 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:14.200 is that Jesus is saying here, 00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:16.420 it's not if you will suffer, 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:18.680 but when you will suffer 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.420 persecution for my sake. 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.640 If you've been called 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.539 to follow Christ, 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.460 you are called 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:26.560 to suffer for Christ. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.180 Now I want you to see 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.860 the surprise. 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:33.179 There are actually 00:23:33.179 --> 00:23:34.179 two surprises 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:37.899 in Matthew 5, 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.839 10 through 12. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.699 Two surprises. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.099 The first one is this. 00:23:46.479 --> 00:23:47.919 You start feeling it 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:49.419 when you go from 5.9 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.240 to 5.10. 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.639 And so in verse 9, 00:23:52.719 --> 00:23:52.919 you're like, 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:54.039 blessed are the peacemakers 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.199 for they shall be called 00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:55.879 sons of God. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.219 And you're kind of like this. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.019 You read that and you're like, 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:59.159 oh yeah, let's rock. 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.640 Yeah, let's rock. 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:03.600 You know those college football games 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:05.620 where the football team 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.540 is running out to the field 00:24:06.540 --> 00:24:07.100 through the tunnel 00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:09.220 and they got that thing 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.080 up above them 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:10.800 that says win one 00:24:10.800 --> 00:24:11.360 for the gipper 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.160 and they're like, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.259 yeah, yeah, yeah, 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.140 hit it, hit it, hit it. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.820 Let's go out. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.560 Woo, woo, woo, woo. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.680 You know, on our doors 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.259 we have, 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.240 you are now going out 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.980 into your mission field. 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.440 Go be peacemakers. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.200 And we leave last week, 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.480 we're like, 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.360 yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.940 Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.960 Peacemaking mission. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.340 Woo. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.900 Beep, beep, beep, beep. 00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.920 And then you read verse 10. 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.820 Go, baby. 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.960 Go be a peacemaker 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.140 and get persecuted for it. 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.440 Go. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.340 Woo. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.340 It's a little bit of a surprise. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.560 It's a little bit of a twist. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:53.399 You're kind of thinking, 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:56.679 well, I wasn't expecting that. 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.879 In fact, in my flesh, 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.960 I would say seven beatitudes 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.599 are enough. 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:05.240 Seven beatitudes are cool. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:07.359 Poor poverty of spirit, sweet. 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.980 Mourn, sin, great. 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:10.339 Meek, hunger, thirst, God. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.519 Merciful, pure in heart, 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.220 I want that. 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:14.399 Peacemakers, okay, that's good. 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.599 Okay, five, nine. 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:18.480 Okay, let's just kind of scratch out 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.919 10, 11, and 12. 00:25:20.219 --> 00:25:21.859 We can go from five, nine 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:23.879 to being salt and light in the world. 00:25:23.959 --> 00:25:24.619 That would be great. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.159 But Jesus doesn't let us do that. 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:30.359 He says there's going to be a cost 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.199 to your peacemaking, 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.219 just as there was a cost 00:25:32.219 --> 00:25:33.679 to my making peace with you. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:39.039 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.920 Blessed are those who are persecuted 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.640 for righteousness' sake. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.320 The irony is, 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:47.560 those who are seeking to make peace 00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:49.920 get persecuted for making peace. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.000 They get singled out and harassed. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.539 Persecution is like the opposite of peace. 00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:04.519 You know, it's like this. 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.399 All right, okay. 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:10.799 Why would anyone want to hurt, 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:14.639 injure one of Jesus' peacemakers? 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.720 Why would anyone want to do that? 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.299 I mean, they're just trying to be nice. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:23.139 Well, let me help you with that. 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:27.460 The kind of peace 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:30.540 that God is seeking to make with sinners 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:33.080 that He sought to make with us, 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:36.420 the kind of peace that God is seeking to make 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:41.240 requires that sinners, 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:43.880 the sinfulness of a sinner's heart 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.940 gets exposed. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:50.500 The peacemaking that we're called to do 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:53.500 for God to make His appeal through us, 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.619 2 Corinthians 5, 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:57.599 that appeal to sinners is 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:59.339 you are a sinner 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:03.420 and you need to be reconciled to God 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.680 through the blood of Jesus. 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:09.160 And so the peacemaking that we're called to 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:11.720 is not to kind of ignore sin 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.579 or sweep sin 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.960 or to appease sin 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.359 or to minimize sin. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:18.119 It's to actually expose sin. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:20.480 Just as my sin got exposed, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:22.519 when I first came to Christ. 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.700 So God, 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:27.779 through the peacemaking gospel 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.900 of Jesus Christ, 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:32.119 confronts a sinner's sinfulness. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.680 If you're starting to talk to people 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.640 about their sin, 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.539 you know what? 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.460 Some of them say, 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.599 oh man, thank you so much 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.640 for letting me know that. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.740 Others will be like, 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.619 will you shut up? 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.359 You're a freak. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.919 Get out of here. 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.619 Okay, alright. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.019 Why would anyone want to hurt 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.479 one of Jesus' peacemakers? 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:59.019 Why would anyone want to hurt Jesus, 00:27:59.459 --> 00:28:00.679 the ultimate peacemaker? 00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:02.659 Think about it. 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.859 Jesus showed up, 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.139 the God-man, 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:08.019 the Prince of Peace, 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.639 showed up, 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:12.000 and by His very presence 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.820 and His poignant teaching, 00:28:14.020 --> 00:28:17.020 He exposed sin in sinners. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.420 Some of them fell at His feet. 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:24.020 Others called for His crucifixion. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:27.000 By the time that Jesus was crucified, 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.640 the Pharisees, 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:32.259 those leaders and teachers of the law 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.320 in Jesus' day, 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:36.339 they hated what Jesus was saying. 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:40.159 They hated what He was teaching. 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:43.039 He was contradicting these men. 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.379 Calling them to account. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.740 And in a couple weeks, 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.899 we're going to get into that. 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:50.159 We're going to see what Jesus says. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.460 He's like, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.879 you have heard it say this, 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.720 but I say. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:56.019 And He did it publicly. 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:58.500 And so those guys, 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.659 He offended them. 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:02.120 And they hated Him for it. 00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:03.700 Check it out. 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:03.960 Like, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:07.040 these men felt threatened 00:29:07.040 --> 00:29:08.519 by the Prince of Peace. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.460 They felt attacked 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:13.019 by the Prince of Peace. 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:16.160 And they persecuted Him 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:18.340 for who He claimed to be 00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:19.720 and what He taught. 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.860 Remember, 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:26.560 the Beatitudes are a corporate profile, 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.960 a composite profile 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.360 of being a citizen of heaven. 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:32.380 And as you grow 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:34.240 in these Beatitudes 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.779 and you become more and more beautiful 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.660 in God's sight, 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.840 you're becoming more and more 00:29:37.840 --> 00:29:39.319 Christ-like in His sight. 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:41.980 And so as you take on Christ's character 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:44.779 and as you take on His cause, 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.519 you're going to be more offensive 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.360 to people, 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.860 though more beautiful in God's sight. 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.799 Brothers and sisters, 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.759 when you take responsibility 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.579 for your own sin against God 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.919 and you mourn over it, 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.519 you talk about it 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.859 with other people, 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:09.460 that can tick people off. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.980 And you're like, 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.839 well, why? 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.680 What's wrong with that? 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:17.079 Because your honest dealing 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.700 with your own sin 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:22.059 ends up exposing the sin 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.220 in them. 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:26.900 and there's a good chance 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.920 they're not going to like that. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.579 Alright, I'm going to give you 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.539 two examples here 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:35.920 of what this could look like 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.880 and what I'm guessing 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:38.480 some of you have already experienced. 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.900 Just to kind of 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:41.259 flesh this out. 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.579 Guys, 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:49.680 let's say you're with other guys 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:51.480 and the topic of pornography 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.100 comes up. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.580 And these other guys 00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:54.759 are not necessarily followers 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.220 of Jesus. 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.160 And so they start joking about it. 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.160 They start making fun of stuff. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.500 They start laughing about it. 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.460 And it becomes very obvious 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:04.840 that they're laughing about it, 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.620 but you're kind of like, 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.180 I don't know, 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.480 what do I, 00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:08.180 this is awkward. 00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:10.480 And they notice 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.460 that you're not joining them. 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:14.220 So what do they do? 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:17.220 You don't think this is funny? 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.860 Hey, Mike, 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.740 you don't think this is funny? 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.460 And then, 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.100 you know, 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.759 you say something like, 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:22.900 well, 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.240 I don't. 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.779 Well, why not? 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.100 Well, 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.279 I think pornography 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.900 is the exploitation of women 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.200 and men. 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.480 I think that 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.440 it's wrong. 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:35.980 Oh. 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:37.860 Okay. 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.799 What else? 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.519 Is there any other reason 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.180 why you don't 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:45.039 think this is funny? 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:47.899 And then it comes out. 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.659 My Savior doesn't think 00:31:50.659 --> 00:31:51.059 it's funny. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.420 My King 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:55.059 thinks this is grievous. 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.059 My King, 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.200 my Lord, 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.220 the one I follow, 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:01.359 the one I want to be like, 00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:02.799 if He were here, 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.839 He wouldn't look at pornography. 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.940 He would call it exploitation. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.720 He would call it sin 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.759 and wrong. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:15.240 If you say anything like that 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.339 in a group like that, 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.839 you know what happened? 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:19.900 You know what may happen? 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.119 The next day, 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.039 you might get emails 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.160 with links to porn sites 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:26.700 just to mock you, 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.200 just to tempt you, 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:31.220 because you're a follower 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.859 of Jesus 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:33.619 and you're seeking 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:35.599 to walk through this world 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.980 in a way that pleases Him. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:39.839 and you suffer for Him. 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.579 You're reviled. 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.599 Evil accusations. 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.539 You see how this can work? 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:51.660 Let me bring another subject up. 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.819 Single women. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.880 You're in a group 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:00.620 with other single women, 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.440 non-Christian friends, 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:04.059 and maybe some Christian friends, 00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:06.079 and the topic of sex comes up. 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.319 And it becomes evident 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:10.539 that everybody 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.879 is having sex 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.439 except you. 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:17.179 And someone asks you, 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.619 why are you being so quiet? 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:20.960 And you have to say something like, 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.159 well, 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:24.460 I'm not having sex. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.759 And then you start getting 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.720 these kinds of questions. 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:30.539 Are you afraid of getting an STD? 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:32.259 And you're kind of like, 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:32.480 well, 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.539 that's a good point, 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:34.220 but no, 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:36.039 that's not the driving reason. 00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.279 Do you not think 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.039 that would be enjoyable? 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.759 No, no, 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.420 that's not it. 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:43.159 Did something happen 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:43.899 in your past? 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.339 And you're thinking 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:48.759 in your mind, 00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.000 yes, 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.799 something did happen. 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.339 The Prince of Peace 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.200 came and saved me. 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.259 Called me to Himself. 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.519 Called me to live 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.819 in a way that 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.139 is like Him 00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:01.019 and for Him. 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.079 And then so you have to 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:05.180 end up saying something like, 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:05.379 no, 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.460 I don't do that. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.680 I want to obey my Savior 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.599 and live for Him 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:10.860 and live for Him 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.239 in every area of my life, 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.440 including my sexuality. 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.420 And so for me 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.420 to fully obey Him, 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.579 if I'm not married, 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.239 I'm celibate. 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.300 That's the way it goes. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.340 And I know that pleases Him. 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:22.099 And so one of these other ladies 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.239 says something like this to you. 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:25.139 So what you're saying is, 00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:25.900 because I'm sleeping 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:27.139 with my boyfriend right now, 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:29.619 you think I'm a sinner. 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.260 And you have to say 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.880 something like this. 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.720 Well, you know, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.700 what God actually says, 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:36.039 and then you're interrupted 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.619 with something like, 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.019 whoa, whoa, whoa, 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:38.039 wait, wait, wait. 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.200 Wait, wait, wait. 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.000 Wait. 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.260 You are saying 00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:43.980 that this guy 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.320 who lived 2,000 years ago, 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.059 died and was 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.500 quote, unquote, 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.320 raised from the dead, 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:48.099 is commanding you 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:49.139 to abstain from sex now 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:50.220 because you're not married. 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.480 Is that what you're saying? 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.920 Seriously? 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:52.880 Is that what you're saying? 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.680 And you have to say 00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:55.059 something like, 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:57.519 that's a pretty good summary. 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:58.759 Yeah? 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.039 And then you hear 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:06.340 under this lady's breath, 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:09.480 wait until the other girls 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.579 hear about this. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:14.259 You are such a self-righteous prude. 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.960 Anybody experience 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.679 anything like that before? 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:21.219 Because you're a follower of Jesus. 00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:21.940 It comes out. 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.900 You're walking away 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.700 that pleases Him. 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:25.220 You're beautiful in His eyes, 00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:26.960 but you're offensive 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:28.240 in the eyes of other people. 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:30.619 And you get singled out 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:32.079 and you get harassed for it. 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.940 Know that Jesus is like, 00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:36.619 you are beautiful, darling. 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.519 Keep on keeping on. 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.599 Blessed are you. 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.440 So what we see, 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:44.200 the surprise here is 00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:46.559 that those who are blessed, 00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.099 poor in spirit, 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:49.000 pure in heart, 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.920 peacemakers, 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.099 surprise, 00:35:52.460 --> 00:35:54.420 you get persecuted for it 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:56.320 on account of Jesus. 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.139 Blessed are you 00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:00.980 when others revile you 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:02.159 and persecute you 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:03.780 and utter all kinds of evil 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:05.019 against you falsely 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.820 on my account. 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.579 That's surprise one. 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.260 Let me point you 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:10.219 to surprise two. 00:36:10.219 --> 00:36:15.019 But before I do, 00:36:17.419 --> 00:36:18.679 do you know what flack is? 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.739 Flack? 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:22.859 In World War II, 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:26.159 B-17 flying fortresses, 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.599 flying out of Britain, 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:29.019 over Europe, 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:29.939 over Germany, 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.319 they would have 00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:32.399 hundreds of pounds 00:36:32.399 --> 00:36:33.439 of bombs 00:36:33.439 --> 00:36:35.859 and they would fly over 00:36:35.859 --> 00:36:38.259 German industry 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:39.720 in order to kind of 00:36:39.720 --> 00:36:41.360 wipe out 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:43.960 the production of war. 00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:48.540 Planes like 00:36:48.540 --> 00:36:49.580 Hell's Angels 00:36:49.580 --> 00:36:50.940 or Sons of Fury, 00:36:51.180 --> 00:36:51.940 Memphis Bell, 00:36:52.060 --> 00:36:53.260 all B-17s, 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.660 crews of 10. 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:57.940 Well, I'm not sure 00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:58.800 if you realize this, 00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:00.160 but when they would fly over 00:37:00.160 --> 00:37:01.600 their bomb target, 00:37:01.760 --> 00:37:02.600 they would have to, 00:37:02.700 --> 00:37:03.600 the pilot would have to 00:37:03.600 --> 00:37:04.320 level out 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:06.180 and create a stable 00:37:06.180 --> 00:37:07.580 flight platform 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.779 in order for the 00:37:08.779 --> 00:37:09.960 bombardier to line up 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:11.420 his Norden bombsite. 00:37:12.319 --> 00:37:13.159 And so for at least 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:14.460 five to seven minutes, 00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.360 they would fly 00:37:15.360 --> 00:37:17.759 straight as an arrow, 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:19.440 making no maneuvers 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:21.779 to avoid enemy attack. 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:24.960 They exposed themselves 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:26.299 to injury 00:37:26.299 --> 00:37:30.179 in order to fulfill 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:30.599 their mission. 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:33.500 And I'm not sharing this 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.119 because we're going to 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:35.420 drop bombs on 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:36.960 our non-Christian family 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.400 and friends. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.079 That's not why 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:38.840 I'm sharing this. 00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.039 I'm sharing it 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:42.599 because God has called us 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:45.000 to fly straight 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:47.860 and to open ourselves 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:48.780 up to injury 00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:50.740 for his glory, 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:52.179 for his sake. 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.500 And what would happen 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.119 is they would, 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:55.019 German, 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:56.639 the Nazis would fire up 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:57.720 what's called flack. 00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.639 And so they would 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.639 launch these things up 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.139 with cannon 00:38:01.139 --> 00:38:02.099 and there would be bombs 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:02.980 that would explode 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:04.099 and so this melting 00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:05.900 hot metal would explode 00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:07.519 and it was designed 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.960 to fly through machines 00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.460 and men. 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:12.440 Just ravage anything 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:13.539 within its explosion. 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.619 So could you imagine 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.980 these flight crews 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:18.699 of ten flying for five 00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:19.340 or ten minutes 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:20.119 over a flight 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:21.159 over a target zone 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:22.559 getting hammered 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.240 by flack? 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:27.000 We're going to get flack. 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.960 If you're a follower 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.380 of Jesus, 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:30.320 you're going to get flack 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:30.840 for it. 00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:32.840 Superheated metal 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:33.920 designed to hurt you 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:35.240 with words. 00:38:36.820 --> 00:38:37.200 Gossip. 00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:43.840 We shouldn't be surprised 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.800 that peacemakers 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:45.519 for Jesus 00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:46.240 are going to be 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.500 persecuted for Jesus. 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:51.660 Surprise too. 00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:53.160 It's the command. 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.460 Verse 12. 00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.480 Rejoice and be glad. 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:02.380 When you are getting flack, 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.220 Jesus says, 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.160 don't ignore the pain. 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.920 Pain's real. 00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:07.100 It's kind of scary. 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:08.880 But then he says, 00:39:09.200 --> 00:39:09.900 rejoice and be glad. 00:39:10.620 --> 00:39:11.680 Rejoice and be glad. 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.500 Blessed are you 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.260 who are persecuted 00:39:14.260 --> 00:39:15.360 for my name's sake. 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:17.200 Rejoice and be glad. 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.480 They're the only commands 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:19.180 in the Beatitudes. 00:39:19.660 --> 00:39:20.880 This is the only command 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.700 in the Beatitudes. 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.500 It's emphasis. 00:39:24.740 --> 00:39:25.860 Jesus, it's popping it. 00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.559 It's like rejoice, 00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:29.539 be glad when you suffer 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.039 for me. 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:34.460 And in order to wrap us up 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.200 this morning, 00:39:35.820 --> 00:39:36.800 I want to give you 00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:38.360 three reasons to rejoice 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:41.559 when the flack comes. 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:42.860 It might come today. 00:39:43.300 --> 00:39:44.559 It might come tomorrow. 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:45.580 It's coming. 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:48.740 Three reasons to rejoice. 00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:53.539 The reason number one, 00:39:54.700 --> 00:39:55.500 to rejoice 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:57.760 when persecuted for Jesus, 00:39:57.760 --> 00:40:00.180 is found in verse 12. 00:40:01.520 --> 00:40:02.740 You're among good company. 00:40:04.260 --> 00:40:06.060 So they persecuted the prophets 00:40:06.060 --> 00:40:07.100 who were before you. 00:40:07.640 --> 00:40:08.600 You're in good company. 00:40:08.740 --> 00:40:09.100 Moses, 00:40:09.480 --> 00:40:09.900 David, 00:40:10.140 --> 00:40:10.540 Daniel, 00:40:10.740 --> 00:40:11.100 Isaiah, 00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.740 Jeremiah, 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:12.600 Job even. 00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:14.880 All these prophets suffered 00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:16.220 for righteousness' sake. 00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.460 And it just doesn't end 00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.040 in the Bible. 00:40:18.260 --> 00:40:18.940 It's all throughout 00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:19.780 church history. 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:21.080 Hudson Taylor, 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.039 John Huss, 00:40:22.400 --> 00:40:23.219 John Patton, 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:24.079 Henry Morden, 00:40:24.259 --> 00:40:25.279 Amy Carmichael, 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.819 Hudson Taylor, 00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.559 Adoniram Judson, 00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:31.059 all these suffered 00:40:31.059 --> 00:40:33.360 flack for Jesus. 00:40:34.219 --> 00:40:35.360 You're in good company. 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:37.039 You're in good company. 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:39.920 You're in great company. 00:40:40.759 --> 00:40:43.980 Because Jesus suffered too. 00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:46.659 Who for the joy set before Him 00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.400 endured the cross. 00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:49.300 He knows mocking firsthand. 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.420 He knows it. 00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:52.840 You're in good company. 00:40:53.659 --> 00:40:55.739 Rejoice when you suffer. 00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:57.800 You're suffering with good company. 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.860 Second, rejoice. 00:41:03.659 --> 00:41:05.259 Persecution is proof positive 00:41:05.260 --> 00:41:06.480 of your heavenly citizenship. 00:41:08.040 --> 00:41:09.000 It proves it. 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:10.740 If you are willing 00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:12.240 to suffer for Jesus, 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.740 it shows that you're legit. 00:41:16.020 --> 00:41:16.980 Your citizenship 00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:18.540 is not in this world, 00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:20.780 but in a world yet to come. 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:24.820 In Matthew 5.10, 00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:25.660 Jesus says, 00:41:26.140 --> 00:41:27.540 Blessed are those 00:41:27.540 --> 00:41:28.360 who are persecuted 00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:29.960 for righteousness' sake, 00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.960 for theirs is 00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:34.480 the kingdom of heaven. 00:41:35.260 --> 00:41:36.660 You've got a passport 00:41:36.660 --> 00:41:38.220 that says, 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:39.520 Kingdom Citizen, 00:41:40.040 --> 00:41:41.000 and it's stamped 00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:42.300 with the blood of Jesus. 00:41:42.680 --> 00:41:43.140 Legit! 00:41:45.240 --> 00:41:47.200 So when you suffer for Jesus, 00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:48.740 and it's clear it's for Him, 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:50.180 it demonstrates 00:41:50.180 --> 00:41:51.420 that your citizenship 00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:53.500 is no longer in this world, 00:41:53.720 --> 00:41:54.640 but in the world to come. 00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:57.480 If you're taking notes, 00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:59.400 write down Hebrews 11, 00:41:59.760 --> 00:42:01.240 verses 13-16, 00:42:01.620 --> 00:42:03.360 and be encouraged by that. 00:42:03.360 --> 00:42:05.579 Reason number three. 00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:08.220 This is where Jesus goes 00:42:08.220 --> 00:42:10.140 in verse 12. 00:42:11.620 --> 00:42:12.660 Rejoice and be glad 00:42:12.660 --> 00:42:13.900 for your reward 00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:16.000 is great in heaven. 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:17.000 Reward. 00:42:17.579 --> 00:42:18.160 Rejoice. 00:42:18.519 --> 00:42:19.180 There's reward. 00:42:19.280 --> 00:42:20.099 When you suffer now, 00:42:20.360 --> 00:42:22.200 there's going to be reward then. 00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:25.019 Now when you think of reward, 00:42:25.140 --> 00:42:25.820 I'm guessing you think 00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:26.900 of material things. 00:42:27.620 --> 00:42:28.300 And yes, 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:29.660 if you're a follower of Jesus, 00:42:29.659 --> 00:42:31.639 you probably do have a mansion 00:42:31.639 --> 00:42:33.259 on the boulevard 00:42:33.259 --> 00:42:34.659 in the New Jerusalem. 00:42:34.839 --> 00:42:35.019 Okay? 00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:35.460 Just saying. 00:42:37.299 --> 00:42:37.859 But, 00:42:38.659 --> 00:42:41.899 that's not the greatest reward. 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.819 Let me try to capture 00:42:44.819 --> 00:42:45.719 the greatest reward. 00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:49.859 Just imagine hearing this 00:42:49.859 --> 00:42:51.500 with your name in it. 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.059 Michael. 00:42:54.259 --> 00:42:55.319 Well done. 00:42:55.320 --> 00:42:57.460 Well done, 00:42:57.559 --> 00:42:58.700 good and faithful servant. 00:42:59.180 --> 00:43:00.880 Enter the joy 00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:02.140 of your master. 00:43:02.300 --> 00:43:02.900 Come on in. 00:43:03.720 --> 00:43:04.640 Come on in. 00:43:05.300 --> 00:43:07.500 Enjoy what I have for you 00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:09.000 and with you. 00:43:10.200 --> 00:43:11.780 The greatest reward 00:43:11.780 --> 00:43:13.480 in heaven 00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:14.680 is Jesus. 00:43:16.039 --> 00:43:16.960 He's there. 00:43:17.620 --> 00:43:18.480 Jesus Himself. 00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:21.160 Well done, 00:43:22.160 --> 00:43:24.080 good and faithful servant. 00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:25.639 enter the joy 00:43:25.639 --> 00:43:26.319 of your master. 00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:29.219 That's the second surprise. 00:43:30.659 --> 00:43:31.599 It's weird. 00:43:33.340 --> 00:43:34.039 Could you imagine 00:43:34.039 --> 00:43:34.639 what happens 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:35.299 when a Christian 00:43:35.299 --> 00:43:36.920 who suffers for Jesus 00:43:36.920 --> 00:43:38.519 starts to rejoice? 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:39.719 Do you know what happens? 00:43:41.239 --> 00:43:42.380 People notice. 00:43:44.319 --> 00:43:45.799 And those who persecute us 00:43:45.799 --> 00:43:48.039 get a taste of the gospel 00:43:48.039 --> 00:43:49.619 that they would have 00:43:49.619 --> 00:43:50.619 never known otherwise. 00:43:50.619 --> 00:43:53.380 We love those 00:43:53.380 --> 00:43:54.359 who persecute us. 00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:57.279 When you suffer flack 00:43:57.279 --> 00:43:57.799 for Jesus, 00:43:57.980 --> 00:43:58.380 rejoice. 00:43:58.539 --> 00:43:59.339 You're in good company. 00:44:00.299 --> 00:44:01.000 You're a citizen. 00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:03.460 And your Savior awaits. 00:44:07.779 --> 00:44:08.940 We've looked at the structure. 00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:10.119 We've looked at the subject. 00:44:10.460 --> 00:44:11.559 We've looked at the surprises. 00:44:12.299 --> 00:44:12.900 This morning, 00:44:13.259 --> 00:44:13.639 remember, 00:44:13.920 --> 00:44:15.480 your call to follow Jesus 00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:17.539 is a call to rejoice 00:44:17.539 --> 00:44:20.059 in suffering for Him. 00:44:20.760 --> 00:44:21.340 Let's pray. 00:44:23.420 --> 00:44:24.280 God in heaven, 00:44:24.619 --> 00:44:25.539 thank You so much 00:44:25.539 --> 00:44:27.900 that You would call us 00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:29.460 to share in the sufferings 00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:29.960 of Jesus. 00:44:30.159 --> 00:44:31.179 We're not interested. 00:44:31.719 --> 00:44:32.860 We're not masochists. 00:44:33.019 --> 00:44:34.719 We're not seeking it out. 00:44:35.619 --> 00:44:35.860 God, 00:44:35.920 --> 00:44:37.599 we would pray for peace. 00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:39.240 We would ask, 00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:39.460 God, 00:44:39.460 --> 00:44:40.099 for our leaders 00:44:40.099 --> 00:44:41.300 would govern in such a way 00:44:41.300 --> 00:44:42.659 that we can live 00:44:42.659 --> 00:44:44.099 in peaceful ways, 00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:47.099 making peace. 00:44:48.539 --> 00:44:48.940 But God, 00:44:48.960 --> 00:44:50.059 I do pray that You would 00:44:50.059 --> 00:44:51.940 give us the grace 00:44:51.940 --> 00:44:54.699 to be faithful to You 00:44:54.699 --> 00:44:56.179 and to even rejoice 00:44:56.179 --> 00:44:58.239 when we catch flack 00:44:58.239 --> 00:44:58.899 for our Savior. 00:44:59.819 --> 00:45:00.799 In Your name we pray. 00:45:01.639 --> 00:45:01.960 Amen. 00:45:01.960 --> 00:45:02.119 Amen. 00:45:02.119 --> 00:45:02.179 Amen.