WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 And if you would open up your Bibles to Matthew chapter 5, 00:00:03.879 --> 00:00:09.320 we are looking at the last beatitude together this morning. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:12.800 But this isn't the last sermon from the Sermon on the Mount I'm going to preach. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:17.019 So I'm going to preach on blessed are the persecuted, those persecuted this morning. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:18.760 Next week, salt and light. 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:23.019 The week after that, I'll get to preach on what Jesus means when he says, 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:25.160 I came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:28.460 And that'll get us ready to go for Christmas time. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.100 If you're looking at Matthew chapter 5, let me read these beatitudes, page 962 of your Pew Bible. 00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:44.420 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:47.200 And when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:49.140 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:53.460 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:57.620 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:00.199 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:04.659 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.140 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:11.640 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:15.900 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:20.859 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:23.480 For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:31.039 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:37.219 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:41.359 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:44.760 May God bless the reading and hearing of his word. 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:47.900 Well, we've come to the end of the Beatitudes. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:48.600 I'm a little sad. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:55.820 And this last Beatitude, the eighth Beatitude, stands out. 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:05.240 Because now what Jesus is talking about is not something that we are to be kind of an attitude in us towards God. 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:12.219 What he's describing in this eighth Beatitude is a response to us. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:18.919 When we're living out the first seven Beatitudes, we can expect something in return. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:21.400 Persecution. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:34.780 If you are declaring spiritual bankruptcy on a regular basis, knowing that your debt, you can't pay it yet, but God's grace paid your debt. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:51.840 If you are mourning your sin and the sin of others, if you are seeking to grow in humility and meekness, if you're hungering, thirsting after a righteousness from within, a heart righteousness, a God-pleasing righteousness. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:58.860 If you're showing mercy, if you're striving to be pure in heart, even if you're making peace with others. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:03.159 You want the fullness of God's goodness experienced in your relationships. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:08.340 Do you know what's going to happen? 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:16.120 The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians puts it this way. 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:24.039 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:27.340 To one, a fragrance from death to death. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.180 To the other, a fragrance from life to life. 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:33.020 Do you know what happens when you start living out the Beatitudes? 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:35.039 You start to smell like Jesus. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:40.699 And for some, that fragrance of Christ is a delight. 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:44.479 But for many others, it is repulsive. 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:50.560 When you smell like Jesus, you will suffer like Jesus. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:59.219 So, expect to be reviled. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:04.079 Expect to be treated unfairly, harshly. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:06.480 Expect to be slandered. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:15.220 Because to be like Jesus is to suffer like Jesus. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:21.220 One would think that when you're living out the Beatitudes, that would be a welcome presence in a culture. 00:04:21.580 --> 00:04:22.319 Doesn't it make sense? 00:04:23.400 --> 00:04:25.280 Jesus is saying, no. 00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:27.860 Not always. 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:32.439 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:35.579 So, if you're a Christian in the room and you're a follower of Jesus. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:39.600 And you're experiencing some heat for being a follower of Jesus. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:42.660 How are you responding to that? 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:49.819 Are you experiencing some pushback for being a follower of Jesus? 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:55.279 Jesus tells us that it's going to happen and he tells us how to respond. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:05:01.360 We live in a culture that is being handed over more and more to its sinful desires. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:03.000 It's a judgment of God. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:04.180 It's Romans chapter 1. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:15.160 And so, we can expect as followers of Jesus that resistance to us in our pursuit of the Lord is going to increase as our culture is handed over. 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:19.780 Are you willing to endure hardship for Jesus? 00:05:19.880 --> 00:05:21.840 Here's what I want to convince you of this morning. 00:05:23.200 --> 00:05:29.080 Kingdom citizens suffer gladly for their king. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:34.260 Kingdom citizens suffer gladly for their king. 00:05:34.400 --> 00:05:36.200 And I'm going to make eight points. 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:38.379 Sorry, you just felt persecuted. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:41.279 I'm going to make four points. 00:05:43.100 --> 00:05:44.879 The remaining beatitude. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:46.719 Our persecution. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:48.319 Let's just be clear about it. 00:05:48.659 --> 00:05:49.159 Point one. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:49.980 Point two. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:52.219 Our reason for our persecution. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:53.779 We've got to be clear about that. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:55.259 Point three. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:57.879 Our rejoicing in our persecution. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:00.699 And number four. 00:06:01.079 --> 00:06:04.019 Our response to our persecutors. 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:08.000 Are you willing to suffer gladly for Jesus? 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:11.259 Point number one. 00:06:12.859 --> 00:06:14.099 This remaining beatitude. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:16.120 Our persecution. 00:06:17.419 --> 00:06:18.699 Again, this is unique. 00:06:19.599 --> 00:06:21.439 The eighth beatitude is unique. 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:28.279 Jesus is talking about there's going to be a kind of reception to us in a culture. 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:37.779 And not only must we expect a certain kind of resistance, there's a way to respond to it. 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:46.059 As I've been saying all along, all eight of these beatitudes, it's an eight point kind of character list. 00:06:46.219 --> 00:06:48.799 A profile of a kingdom citizen. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:54.759 Anyone who's been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:58.399 These are to mark us in some measure. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:01.819 Whether that's just being avoided. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:04.680 Or that's martyrdom. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.259 Persecution. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:09.539 All the way across. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:14.759 Now there's some interesting features of this last beatitude. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:16.599 Let me point them out to you. 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:20.180 First, it's the last of the list. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.420 Does anybody know what the last of the fruit of the spirit is? 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:26.439 Self-control. 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:33.360 Does anybody know who is the last named of all the disciples in the repeated list throughout the gospels? 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.500 Judas Iscariot. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:40.000 They're in last position in order to emphasize them. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:46.680 So that this is showing up last, it's not a coincidence. 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:48.539 It's not an afterthought. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:52.099 There's also something else going on here in the beatitude. 00:07:52.279 --> 00:07:53.680 It's called an inclusio. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:57.779 And so in Matthew 5.3, we read the poor. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:01.399 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:07.920 And then in 5.10, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:13.480 And that phrase, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, it frames the entire beatitudes. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.960 It brings them to a close. 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:17.460 It unites them all together. 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:22.680 It's who we are and what we can expect of a kingdom citizen. 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:25.620 But it communicates emphasis. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:32.200 There's another piece of this that I'm not sure if you're picking up on. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.120 It's a surprise. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.440 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.759 Blessed are those who are persecuted. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.759 Blessed are the peacemakers. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.899 Does that not shock you a little bit? 00:08:52.580 --> 00:09:02.919 Jesus, are you saying that as I purposely pursue the fullness of God's goodness in relationships with other people, 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.980 I'm going to get heat for that? 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:09.159 It's a little surprising. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:14.100 And that surprise carries emphasis. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:16.339 And then there's the expansion. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:25.379 Of all the eight beatitudes, it's only the eighth beatitude that Jesus expands on. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:35.500 In verses 11 and 12, he goes from 10, blessed are those who are persecuted, to 11, blessed are you when others revile you. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:40.700 He immediately applies it to the disciples listening to them. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:45.419 And he expands on it in order to explain it more fully. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:47.720 So this is what this means. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.100 It being the end of the list. 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:52.559 It being a book end. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:53.659 It being a surprise. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:55.879 It being an expanded explanation. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:02.259 What this means is that when Jesus gave the beatitudes, it wasn't like he was walking up on the mountainside. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:06.600 And he said, oh, you know what, I need to just kind of drop in something about suffering. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:09.899 You know what, the eighth beatitude would work. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.279 No, no, this has been culminating. 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:15.620 It's purposeful. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:21.759 It's intentional that Jesus has been holding this beatitude to the last. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:29.639 Here's what persecution is. 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:34.939 It's suffering any kind of hostility. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:41.539 Whether it is an attitude, a word, or an action. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:47.019 Because of your relationship to Jesus. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.220 That's persecution. 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:53.379 And it goes from being avoided to martyrdom. 00:10:55.940 --> 00:11:01.399 Suffering is any kind of hostility because of your relationship to Jesus. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:06.080 And so what that means is, what Jesus is talking about is suffering for his sake. 00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:09.540 Suffering because of Jesus. 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:17.279 That this thing I am experiencing heat for, I would not experience if it weren't for Jesus in my life. 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:18.279 Suffering. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:22.720 So the eighth beatitude isn't a last minute ad. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:25.579 Jesus jotted down when he's going to sit down on the mountain. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:30.679 He's intentionally placed it where it's at. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:33.379 And therefore, it carries weight. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:37.779 Paul says it this way in 2 Timothy 2. 00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:43.700 Anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:48.360 If you smell like Jesus, you will suffer like Jesus. 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:55.379 If you're a Christian, that should help with your expectations a little bit. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:59.240 Don't be surprised when you get pushed back. 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:04.759 And if you're a non-Christian in the room, thinking about becoming a follower of Jesus, 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:07.240 you can't have it both ways. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:12.559 Jesus says in John 15, 18, 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:15.899 The world hated me. 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:17.019 It will also hate you. 00:12:18.339 --> 00:12:20.339 A servant is not greater than their master. 00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:29.339 So, this remaining beatitude is about our persecution. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:34.899 Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:41.860 To be a kingdom citizen means that you will suffer gladly for the king. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.819 The second reason is that our... 00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:48.360 The second point is our reason for our persecution. 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:56.259 There's a really interesting relationship between verse 10 and verses 11 and 12. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.840 It's this expansion. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.799 Let me help you to see it. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.279 In verse 10, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.819 Blessed are those who are persecuted. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.240 And then in verse 11, 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:10.340 Blessed are you when others' expansion revile you. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:13.500 That's you being insulted to your face or behind your back. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.699 And persecuted. 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:17.319 You're treated harshly, unfairly. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:20.679 You're looked over at work because you're committed to doing things right. 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.199 For Jesus' sake. 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:25.419 They utter all kinds of evil against you falsely. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.340 That is slander. 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:37.399 And so, Jesus expands what he says in verse 10 and verse 11. 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:39.120 But there's also what's called a parallel. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:44.980 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:47.659 And then in verse 11. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:53.259 Blessed are you when others revile you, persecute you, utter all kinds of evil on my account. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:14:03.519 What Jesus is doing is saying, you're being persecuted for righteousness' sake is the same thing as you being suffering on my account. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:12.100 But his understanding of righteousness is also kind of like dealing with being connected to him. 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:18.879 And so, the righteousness that he's talking about is not the external righteousness of the Pharisees. 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:21.700 It's not the man-pleasing righteousness. 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:24.420 Look at me of the Pharisees. 00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:29.659 It's not the pride-fueling righteousness of the Pharisees. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.680 It's not that righteousness. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:35.519 This is a righteousness that's internal of the heart. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:39.199 This is a righteousness that is God-pleasing. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:47.899 Jesus says later in the Sermon on the Mount, if you fast, do so in secret so that your Father in heaven will see and know. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:51.159 That's the kind of righteousness he's talking about. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:54.199 And it generates humility. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:15:01.299 This righteousness is the result of the new covenant. 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:07.139 This is a righteousness born of the Spirit resulting from Christ's death and resurrection. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:12.679 This is a righteousness from God. 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:21.120 So, if you're suffering hardship, let's just be clear. 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:30.159 If you're suffering hardship as a consequence to your bad behavior, that's not suffering for Jesus. 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:35.199 That's just dealing with the consequences of bad behavior. 00:15:36.459 --> 00:15:38.939 Don't try to over-spiritualize something. 00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:53.879 Or, if you are suffering hostility because of your race, or your gender, or your income, or education, or the neighborhood you live in. 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:56.120 That hostility is wrong. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:16:00.419 But is it for Jesus? 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:13.279 If you are being ridiculed for your political commitments, as long as other non-Christians are able to suffer with you as well, 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:17.100 likely it's not for Jesus' sake. 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:26.759 Our reason for our persecution that Jesus is talking about is wrapped up in three words. 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.980 On my account. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:40.120 If you are slandered because you're holding to a biblical sexual ethic, because you're a follower of Jesus, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:44.440 you're like, no, I'm sorry, I cannot agree with that position on homosexual marriage, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:48.820 because I'm a follower of Jesus, and you catch heat for that? 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.500 On my account. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:17:00.200 If you are catching flack for saying no to people, no, I don't believe that there are many ways to get to heaven. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:04.680 Because I'm a follower of Jesus, there is only one way. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:09.660 There's only one name given among men by which they can be saved, and that's the name of Jesus. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.460 Salvation is found in no one else. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:16.360 And if you catch heat for that, on my account. 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:26.120 If you are being avoided, you walk into a room and people are talking, 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:31.720 they see you, and the conversation changes because you're a Christian. 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:36.059 You're being looked over at work. 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:42.120 You're being gossiped about because you won't lie, you won't cheat, you won't steal. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:45.619 Because you're a follower of Jesus, on my account. 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:54.959 We've got to be clear that Jesus is the reason for our being persecuted. 00:17:58.599 --> 00:18:04.199 And when you start to smell like Jesus in your character and your conduct, 00:18:04.979 --> 00:18:07.419 for some, they'll be like, oh, that smells good. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.639 For others, they will be repulsed. 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:18.680 Kingdom citizens suffer gladly for their king. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.000 He's the reason for our persecution. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:27.840 Third point, our rejoicing in our persecution. 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.740 This is verse 12. 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:35.920 Jesus makes two things clear in this beatitude and expansion. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:38.200 It's that we will suffer for him. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:42.160 And then secondly, when we suffer for him, 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:46.480 we are to rejoice and be glad. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:52.079 He says, rejoice and be glad. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:19:06.279 When you're getting mistreated for Jesus, 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:07.919 do you know what time it is? 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.539 It's praise and worship time. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:17.759 When you're catching heat or see a brother or sister catching heat for Jesus, 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.879 they're just trying to be faithful to him. 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.940 Do you know what time it is for them? 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.099 It's praise and worship time. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:32.659 In Acts 16, there is this incredible story. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:37.220 Paul and Silas are preaching Christ in Philippi. 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.920 They're going around proclaiming Jesus, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:46.680 and there is this demon-possessed slave girl who's following them around. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:50.660 And she keeps on making this announcement. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:53.759 This is what she's saying repeatedly for days. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.800 She's saying, 00:19:54.799 --> 00:20:00.519 These men are servants of the most high God who proclaim to you the way of salvation. 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:03.099 So Paul is just trying to preach Christ, 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:09.619 and there is this slave girl who's demon-possessed announcing this again and again and again. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:14.480 By the way, she's also a huge moneymaker for her masters. 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.159 She's also a fortune teller. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:20.019 And so she is bringing in all sorts of cash for her masters. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:23.759 Well, finally, Paul can't take it anymore. 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:27.240 So he rebukes the spirit in her. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:33.319 The spirit departs immediately and dries up the master's revenue stream. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.500 Do you know what happens next? 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:37.819 Those masters don't become Christians. 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:43.920 They grab Paul and Silas and drag them into the marketplace. 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.980 They bring them before the rulers. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:48.539 They set up a mock little court. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.599 They strip them and start beating them with rods. 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:54.740 And they just push it through. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:58.419 They say to a Philippian jailer, 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.500 Hey, lock them up. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.119 Bring them into the inner cell. 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:04.179 And when they brought into the inner cell, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.219 after being beaten and humiliated, 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:09.619 some miscarriage of justice, 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:14.740 they're shackled with their feet, 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.619 put in bonds. 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:19.979 And in verse 25, 00:21:20.179 --> 00:21:21.500 we read this of chapter 16. 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.719 It's praise and worship time. 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.739 About midnight, 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:29.239 Paul and Silas were praying 00:21:29.239 --> 00:21:31.539 and singing hymns 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.059 to God. 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:37.219 And the prisoners were listening to them. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.839 Could you imagine? 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.459 Paul on his back, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.599 feet, 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.279 ankles, 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.519 shackled in. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:47.400 Silas, 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.720 join me. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.099 How great thou art. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.420 Come on, 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:52.819 Silas. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.359 How great thou art. 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.779 How does that happen? 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.680 How does that happen 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:06.119 when you have been beaten, 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:08.000 humiliated, 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.619 a miscarriage of justice, 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.839 thrown in jail, 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:14.139 have your feet locked before you, 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:17.359 and you are in a praise and worship session? 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.699 How does that happen, 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.319 church? 00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:25.579 How can you respond that way? 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:28.959 When you get wind of the gossip, 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:34.039 when you sense people are avoiding you, 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:36.159 when certain topics don't come up, 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:40.279 how do you go the way of Paul and Silas 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:42.660 and make that a praise and worship moment? 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:42.880 Well, 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.320 let me give you three reasons real quick. 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.580 First reason is this. 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.660 It's implied in our text. 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.300 On my account. 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.640 In Philippians chapter 3, 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:00.840 verse 8, 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:01.920 Paul, 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:03.100 while he's in prison, 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.360 writes this. 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.360 Indeed, 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:14.000 I count everything as loss 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.540 because of the surpassing worth 00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:18.220 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:20.779 Indeed, 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:22.279 I count everything as loss 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:24.660 because of the surpassing worth 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.960 of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.600 For his sake, 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.279 I have suffered the loss of all things 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.660 and count them as rubbish 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:31.340 in order that I may gain Christ 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.600 and be found in him, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.279 not having a righteousness of my own 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.080 that comes from the law, 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:37.559 but that which comes through faith in Christ, 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:38.740 the righteousness from God 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.759 that depends on faith. 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.399 You see, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:43.259 Paul's joy and glory 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.679 in the midst of his suffering 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:46.879 is the glorious Christ. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.259 How is Paul, 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.720 how are they doing this? 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:54.179 Because they are treasuring Jesus 00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.460 above all else. 00:23:56.939 --> 00:23:58.799 He and Silas know 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.720 that this one 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.379 in whom they're suffering for, 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:04.139 that salvation is found 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.119 in no one else, 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:08.159 that only through Christ 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:09.319 could they have 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:11.139 their unrighteousness forgiven 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.960 and the righteousness of Christ 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:14.039 imputed to them 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.480 and made acceptable God. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.460 That's it. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.480 They are worshiping. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.559 He's worth it. 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.200 And that should put courage 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.700 in your heart. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.319 That should be the stuff 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.839 that makes you want to praise 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.339 and worship. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.859 But there's two other reasons 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.539 from this text 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.220 that are explicit 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.799 that I want you to point out 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.179 and see. 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.619 Rejoice and be glad 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:38.299 for your reward 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.879 is great in heaven. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.879 Jesus is saying, 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.039 hey, 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.399 when you suffer for me, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.319 rejoice and be glad 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:50.339 for great is your reward 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.799 in heaven. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.439 Notice, 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.220 it's in heaven, 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.059 not on earth. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.919 It's not here and now, 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.779 it's then and there. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.119 You might be asking, 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.359 well, 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:01.299 what is this reward? 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:02.460 Is it, 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.740 are we talking 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.339 mansions in glory 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:07.460 with like different amounts 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.619 of rooms in them 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:10.419 and those who suffer more 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.440 get more rooms 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.319 and things like that? 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.599 Well, 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.779 I'm not sure. 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.619 But what I can point you to 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.740 is a couple other passages 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.899 that may be helpful. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:21.740 in Hebrews chapter 11, 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:24.320 the hall of faith, 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:28.440 the writer of Hebrews says, 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.240 these, 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.560 these faithful ones, 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.100 all died in faith, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.100 not having received 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.880 the things promised, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.220 but having seen them 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.320 and greeted them from afar 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:38.200 and having acknowledged 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.620 that they were strangers 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.560 and exiles on the earth. 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:43.200 For people who speak thus, 00:25:43.280 --> 00:25:43.700 make it clear 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.380 that they are seeking 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.100 a homeland. 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:47.819 If they had been thinking 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.379 of that land 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:49.500 from which they had gone out, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.179 they would have had 00:25:50.179 --> 00:25:51.299 the opportunity to return, 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.159 but as it is, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:54.019 they desire a better country 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:56.379 that is a heavenly one. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.019 Therefore, 00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:58.819 God is not ashamed 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.219 to be called their God, 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:02.059 for he has prepared 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.459 for them a city. 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:06.059 Could it be 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.939 that the great reward 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:07.879 that Jesus is talking about 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.939 is heaven? 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.699 Our heavenly homeland? 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:15.500 where we go home? 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:18.080 Or maybe, 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.580 Revelation chapter 6, 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.319 the lamb is given a scroll 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.920 with seven seals, 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:29.940 and he breaks each seal 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.620 one at a time. 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.120 And when he comes 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.279 to the fifth seal, 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.299 we are given this scene 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:38.539 in the heavenly throne room 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.240 of God. 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.220 And you know 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.019 what the scene is of? 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:44.379 martyrs under the altar. 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.480 Those who have been 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:48.160 persecuted ultimately. 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.279 They've given their life 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.019 in the proclamation 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.799 of Christ. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.139 And you know 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.759 what they're saying? 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.759 They are saying, 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.779 how long, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.720 O Lord, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:59.759 until you give us vengeance? 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.759 But you know 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.480 what I want you to see? 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.299 Proximity. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.379 Where they're at. 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.720 They're under the altar 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.059 next to the throne. 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.279 Do you know what that means? 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.119 They've got great seats. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.700 They're close. 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:18.079 Could it be the great reward 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.079 is not just heaven, 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:21.019 but it's proximity 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.200 to Jesus in glory? 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.399 All of us 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.399 who will be in glory 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.960 will have no qualms 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.759 that they were there, 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:29.059 no matter where you're at. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:32.079 But it seems that there are 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.279 special places 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.779 for those who suffer 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:37.159 severely for Christ. 00:27:37.159 --> 00:27:38.079 There's a great reward. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.559 It's proximity. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.480 It's heaven. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.679 And she could encourage you. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.679 When you're suffering for Jesus, 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.879 we get to say to one another, 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:50.399 your heavenly homeland's coming. 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:53.180 This is light and momentary. 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.019 But there's one other thing 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.820 I want you to see. 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.720 It's good company. 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:02.080 For so they persecuted 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:02.620 the prophets 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.900 who were before you. 00:28:05.300 --> 00:28:06.460 Just think about it. 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:07.780 Moses, 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.540 Isaiah, 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.500 Jeremiah, 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.740 Ezekiel, 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.900 they all suffered. 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:14.480 and they all suffered 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:18.000 proclaiming the Christ to come 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:19.880 on my account. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.180 When we get later 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:26.180 into Hebrews chapter 11, 00:28:27.040 --> 00:28:27.980 we read this. 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.940 Verse 32. 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:33.300 And what more shall I say? 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.500 For Timewood family 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.360 to tell of Gideon, 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.160 Barak, Samson, 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:36.560 Jephthah, 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:36.940 and David, 00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:37.460 and Samuel, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.780 and the prophets. 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:40.820 Some were tortured, 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.780 refusing to accept 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.160 released, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.899 so they might rise again 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.519 to a better life. 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.599 Others suffered mocking 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.139 and flogging 00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:46.779 and even chains 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.399 and imprisonment. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.339 They were stoned. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.240 They were sawn unto, 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.420 a reference to Isaiah. 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.819 They were killed 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.559 with the sword. 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.359 They went about 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.319 in skins of sheep 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:54.779 and goats, 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.319 destitute, 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.279 afflicted, mistreated, 00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.799 of whom the world 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.619 was not worthy, 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.460 wandering about 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.500 in deserts and mountains 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.579 and in dens 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.359 and caves 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:04.019 of the earth. 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.700 This is the great 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.579 cloud of witnesses 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.460 of 12.1. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.420 Therefore, 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.339 since we're surrounded 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.339 by so great a cloud 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.799 of witnesses, 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.519 we've got good company, 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:13.819 gang. 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:16.539 When we suffer for Jesus, 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.879 we're in good company. 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:21.240 Let us also lay aside 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.259 every weight in sin 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.359 which clings so closely 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.980 and let us run 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.539 with endurance 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.939 the race that is set 00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.599 before us, 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.639 looking to Jesus, 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:31.319 the ultimate example 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.980 of suffering, 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:35.319 our greatest companion 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.720 of the good company, 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:39.400 the one speaking this. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.559 You know what we get 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.279 to say to one another 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.100 when we are living 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.240 in close proximity 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.779 to each other 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:47.100 and we see each other 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.740 catching heat 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.860 for trying to be faithful 00:29:48.860 --> 00:29:49.299 to Jesus? 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.039 We get to say, 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.660 the glorious Christ 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.299 is worth it. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.680 There's a great reward 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.100 coming. 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.000 Wait on it! 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.360 And you're in good company. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.799 So went the prophets 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.579 proclaiming Christ. 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:05.399 He should encourage 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:06.299 your heart 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:09.240 and fuel this rejoicing 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.439 and being glad 00:30:10.439 --> 00:30:13.119 when you catch pushback 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.759 for Jesus, 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.720 when you're living out 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.619 the Beatitudes, 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.980 when you're smelling 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.939 like Jesus, 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:20.159 you're going to suffer 00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:20.939 like Jesus. 00:30:21.199 --> 00:30:22.159 Kingdom citizens 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.960 suffer gladly 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.279 for their king. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.679 Rejoice and be glad. 00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:30.559 But how do we respond 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.559 to our persecutors? 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:35.339 How do we respond 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:35.899 to the people 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:36.819 that are gossiping 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.299 about us 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.339 and slandering us 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.500 and looking over us? 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:42.199 How do we do that? 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.839 Because I don't know 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.240 about you, 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.799 you're going to face 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.960 one of two temptations. 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.980 Temptation number one 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.000 is just to put your tail 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.859 between your legs 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:49.419 and shrink back 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.639 in silence. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.419 That's not of God. 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.839 The other response 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.240 is, 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.179 you're going to take 00:30:58.179 --> 00:30:58.659 a shot at me? 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.259 Here comes the shot 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.720 back. 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.980 You're going to 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.639 persecute me? 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.919 I'm coming back 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.859 with persecution. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.559 You hit me 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.079 and hurt me, 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.099 I hit and hurt you 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.519 back. 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.740 That's not an option 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.059 either. 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:16.139 Because kingdom citizens 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:17.859 operate by the king's 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.379 code. 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.659 In Matthew chapter 5, 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.159 Sermon on the Mount, 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:28.840 in verses 43 and 48, 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:30.600 you've got to hear 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.140 what your king 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.019 tells you to do 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.580 when you suffer for him. 00:31:34.320 --> 00:31:35.180 Here's what he says. 00:31:37.060 --> 00:31:37.800 You've heard that 00:31:37.800 --> 00:31:38.400 it was said, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.420 you shall love your neighbor 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.420 and hate your enemy. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.800 But I say to you, 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.840 love your enemies 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:47.300 and pray for those 00:31:47.300 --> 00:31:48.340 who persecute you. 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:50.359 so that you may be 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.179 sons of your father 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:51.959 who is in heaven. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.419 For he makes his son 00:31:53.419 --> 00:31:55.139 rise on the evil 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:55.599 and the good 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.579 and sends rain 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.039 on just 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.139 and on the unjust. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.399 For if you love 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.139 those who love you, 00:32:00.199 --> 00:32:01.299 what reward do you have? 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.359 Do not even the tax 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.240 collectors do the same? 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.039 And if you greet 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.859 only your brothers, 00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:06.259 what more are you doing 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.819 than others? 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.799 Do not even the Gentiles 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.279 do the same? 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.179 You therefore 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:11.240 must be perfect 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.319 as your heavenly father 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.839 is perfect. 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.199 And you know 00:32:13.199 --> 00:32:13.819 what that is? 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.679 Loving your neighbor 00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:17.779 for God so loved 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.500 the world 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:21.399 who were railing 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.980 against him 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:24.240 that he gave 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.240 his only begotten son. 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.700 When we 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.599 are suffering 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:32.000 hardship for Jesus 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.599 from other people, 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.159 we pray for them. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.619 Do you know 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.220 how difficult 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.960 it is to keep 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.980 a hard heart 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.619 towards someone 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.419 you're praying for? 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:41.740 Do you know 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.399 how hard that is? 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:44.880 when you start 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:45.660 praying for someone 00:32:45.660 --> 00:32:46.700 who's persecuting you, 00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:47.880 you're going to start 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.500 kind of realizing 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.920 what they're operating 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.500 out of. 00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:53.200 And you're going to be like, 00:32:53.280 --> 00:32:53.620 oh Lord, 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.240 I don't know 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.040 where this spite 00:32:55.040 --> 00:32:55.880 is coming from, 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.420 but God, 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:58.600 it must grieve you. 00:32:58.780 --> 00:32:59.140 Oh God, 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.019 deliver them 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.259 from their hate. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:02.940 God, 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.180 change their hearts, 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.100 open their hearts 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.880 to the gospel. 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.519 We pray for those 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.460 who persecute us. 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:12.819 another passage 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.600 if you want to look at 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.519 is 1 Peter 3, 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.380 8 through 17. 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.440 We suffer 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.579 for Christ 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.740 not only 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:23.460 to make it 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.440 a praise and worship time, 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:26.480 because it is. 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:30.059 We also 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:31.039 bless 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:32.819 those who curse us. 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.740 Luke 6, 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.660 the sermon 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.279 on the plain. 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:40.639 we are 00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:42.000 to respond 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.099 like Jesus 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:45.259 to those 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.579 who are 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.720 persecuting us 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.759 because of Jesus. 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.440 We smell 00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:51.980 like Jesus, 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.759 we suffer 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.420 like Jesus, 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.920 and then we respond 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.500 to them 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.059 like Jesus. 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:56.740 Do you see that? 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.359 That's his way. 00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:04.179 I don't know 00:34:04.179 --> 00:34:04.719 about you, 00:34:05.719 --> 00:34:07.379 but that sounds 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:08.359 extraordinary to me. 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.279 Verging on impossible. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.699 How does that happen? 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.440 Well, 00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:21.859 if you're declaring 00:34:21.859 --> 00:34:22.920 spiritual bankruptcy, 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:25.920 and you've got 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.280 all of your eggs 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.980 in the basket 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.880 of God's grace 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.639 to make you right 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.400 in God's eyes, 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:32.659 if you're mourning 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.420 your sin 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.820 and you're lamenting 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.880 those people 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.740 who are even 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.700 sinfully 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:39.220 persecuting you, 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:43.000 if you're growing 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.159 in your humility 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.180 before God 00:34:45.180 --> 00:34:46.119 that you're seeing 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:47.599 yourself as He sees you 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.400 and relating to Him 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:48.880 accordingly, 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.000 if you're hungering 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.539 and thirsting 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.639 for this righteousness 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:54.019 of heart 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.239 by God's grace 00:34:55.239 --> 00:34:55.940 that is seeking 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.779 to please God 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.880 above all else, 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.139 and that you're seeking 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.099 to show mercy 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:01.360 as you've been shown mercy, 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.400 and to have a purity 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.099 of heart 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.639 to all people 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.820 and to be peacemaking 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.400 with them, 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.579 you're going to be positioned 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:11.079 that when you are 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.719 persecuted, 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.940 it is praise 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.880 and worship time, 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.840 and you will bless 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:17.360 those who curse you. 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:19.239 Our response 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:20.820 to those who 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.860 persecute us 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:25.519 is to suffer 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.700 gladly for our King. 00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:29.700 Blessing 00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:31.200 those who 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.720 would do us 00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.500 harm. 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.500 The remaining 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.080 beatitude 00:35:35.080 --> 00:35:36.100 is our persecution. 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:37.519 It's emphatic. 00:35:39.100 --> 00:35:39.940 The reason 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.000 for our persecution, 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:41.980 three words 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.240 on my account. 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:45.880 Our rejoicing 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:47.000 in our persecution 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:48.159 comes from 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:50.739 the glorious Christ 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.539 treasuring Him 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.559 above all else. 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.360 It comes from 00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:54.320 knowing that 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.559 our great reward 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.380 is coming, 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:57.719 knowing that we 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.420 are suffering 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.519 with good company. 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:01.019 That's the stuff 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:02.079 by which we rejoice 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.539 from. 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:04.300 And our response 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:06.340 to our persecutors 00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:09.160 who look to 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:10.760 injure us 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.940 because we smell 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.940 like Jesus 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.700 and suffer 00:36:13.700 --> 00:36:14.440 like Jesus 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:16.700 is to bless 00:36:16.700 --> 00:36:17.100 them 00:36:17.100 --> 00:36:18.260 like Jesus. 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.340 So if you're 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:21.800 a Christian, 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:25.420 are you surprised 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.019 that you're suffering 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:26.360 for Him? 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:28.220 You shouldn't be. 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.740 Jesus called it. 00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:33.919 Are you responding 00:36:33.919 --> 00:36:37.699 with rejoicing 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.619 and gladness 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:41.199 just like Paul 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:42.099 and Silas did 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:43.779 in the Philippian jail? 00:36:47.319 --> 00:36:48.299 Are you ready? 00:36:50.619 --> 00:36:51.379 Do you know 00:36:51.379 --> 00:36:52.439 how to prepare yourself 00:36:52.439 --> 00:36:53.239 for the persecution 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:54.339 that surely is to come? 00:36:55.479 --> 00:36:56.959 You treasure Jesus 00:36:56.959 --> 00:36:57.979 above all else. 00:36:57.980 --> 00:37:00.039 You savor Him. 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.480 You delight in Him. 00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:03.119 You think often 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:03.940 with joy 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.619 what He's done 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.119 for you. 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:06.500 And it's a joy 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.280 to suffer for Him. 00:37:08.740 --> 00:37:09.440 And if you're 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.039 not a Christian, 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:12.740 you need to realize 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:14.039 that if you were 00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:14.880 to become a follower 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.500 of Jesus, 00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.099 you are going 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.820 to be hated 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.420 for Jesus. 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.719 You will suffer 00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:22.780 for Him. 00:37:24.780 --> 00:37:25.639 But He is 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.920 so worth it 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:29.960 the one, 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.760 the God-man 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.500 who suffered 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.360 God's wrath 00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:33.619 in our place, 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:36.619 who's given us 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.260 in eternity 00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.159 with Him 00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:39.119 as a promise, 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.260 oh, it's a joy 00:37:41.260 --> 00:37:42.039 to suffer for Him. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.960 He's worth it. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.599 And what we suffer now 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:48.199 is just light 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:48.860 and momentary. 00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:52.500 with the way 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.480 our culture is going, 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:53.820 we're going 00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.500 to experience 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.480 greater degrees 00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:57.140 of difficulty 00:37:57.140 --> 00:37:57.599 and hardship 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.360 from others. 00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.500 Not everybody, 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.539 but it's going 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.120 to be a blessing. 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:02.780 Do you know why? 00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:05.880 Our persecution 00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:07.500 is proof positive 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:10.800 that we are 00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:11.900 kingdom citizens 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:15.180 living for our King, 00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:18.259 joyfully suffering 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:18.679 for Him. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.619 He's worth it. 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.480 Great reward. 00:38:23.319 --> 00:38:23.839 Good company. 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.519 Let's pray. 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:28.079 God in heaven, 00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:31.940 if You would grant us 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.799 to suffer for You, 00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:36.419 we will. 00:38:37.699 --> 00:38:38.919 And we will together. 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.000 together, 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:42.320 we hear these words 00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.059 that You're speaking, 00:38:43.240 --> 00:38:43.420 Jesus, 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:45.039 and don't dismiss them. 00:38:47.619 --> 00:38:48.460 We know, 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:49.220 we've tasted, 00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:51.159 we've felt the heat, 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:54.079 and we gladly say together 00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:55.000 that You are worth it. 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.200 In Your name we pray. 00:38:57.920 --> 00:38:58.200 Amen. 00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:58.320 Amen. 00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:58.380 Amen. 00:38:58.380 --> 00:38:58.400 Amen. 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:58.420 Amen. 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:58.460 Amen. 00:38:58.460 --> 00:39:00.460 Amen. 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:00.480 Amen. 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.380 Amen. 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:02.380 Amen. 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:02.440 Amen. 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:02.460 Amen. 00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:02.500 Amen. 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:02.539 Amen. 00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:02.559 Amen. 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:02.579 Amen. 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:02.599 Amen. 00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:03.099 Amen. 00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:03.139 Amen. 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:03.159 Amen. 00:39:03.159 --> 00:39:03.220 Amen. 00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:03.240 Amen.