Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed to Suffer for His Name"

1:02So as we've been chipping away at the Beatitudes, these pronouncements of blessing, we've been learning the way to the good life. We've been learning the ethics of the kingdom of God and His kingdom citizens. We've been learning together what it means to be blessed and experience God's blessing, His supernatural and often unexplainable happiness. With contentment. Another way to say it is happiness with divine favor, no matter the circumstances of life. So I don't know about you, but it's been wonderful to walk back through these really familiar passages.

1:50But it's no surprise because this is just like our God. To again surprise us by something we've read a hundred times and to show us how deep and how loving He is. Well, just before this sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5 through 7, Jesus announces in chapter 4 that the kingdom of God is at hand in 4:17. That is, Jesus arrives on the scene. He says, The kingdom of God is at hand, meaning that he is the king and his kingdom has arrived.

2:34He calls his first disciples, and then he begins equipping them as apprentices of the way, as followers, as disciples. And so, here at the beginning of Jesus' first recorded sermon, he begins to flesh out the characteristics of those who have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. That's what we've been seeing, that's what we've been talking about. Through. In a nutshell, Jesus is saying that his followers are marked by, they are becoming these kinds of people.

3:13He says that his way, the way of the kingdom and its citizens, is not natural. It doesn't follow the patterns and the course of this world. And so we don't have time to go back through all of them, but that's what we've been seeing as we're walking through the Beatitudes, these pronouncements of blessing. So you know the scene. They're on top of the mountain. Jesus sits because that's what rabbis would do, and they taught their disciples. The disciples are in front of him, and then outside of them is the crowd.

3:50And he begins to teach. He begins to teach and to shape and to show them that he is a different king and he's bringing about, he's inaugurating a different kind of kingdom. Not one with military might, but gentle and lowly. Not one of pride, but one of humility. Not one of abusive or coercive power, but of meekness. Not one for greed or gain, but he's coming as one who is pure, who desires to do the Father's will.

4:30He's coming as one he doesn't desire to punish, but he desires to show mercy. And he expects his followers to do and to be the same. So, in this sense, his sermon, like every sermon, is meant to be instructive and it's meant to be invitational. He's instructing the disciples in the way that they should do and be, but he's also inviting the crowd that's just outside of them to come and to taste and to see his goodness, to come and to experience the good life.

5:16And so, brothers and sisters, that is no different than today at this moment. Our time together as we walk through the word is both instructive, instructional, and it's invitational, helping us to follow Jesus and inviting us in ways or inviting those who don't yet know him to come and to taste and to see. So, may we have ears to hear, may we have eyes to see. But here's the thing: I think all of that is making more sense to me now, but I don't quite understand how these last Several verses fit in.

6:02Am I the only one? Like, I think it's that Sesame Street moment. You remember? Am I that old? Come on. One of these things is not quite like the other. That's Bert. If you don't know Bert, there he is. It's that Sesame Street moment, right? There are similarities in relationship between the seven and then the one, but there are also differences. And so anytime we see this in the Bible, that should pique our interest, our curiosity, and we should ask why. And so we're asking why this morning.

6:39And I think it comes together something like this: Jesus' presence signifies that the kingdom is at hand, both here and now, and then in the future, even more so. So it's already here by Jesus' presence, but it's not yet fully realized. And so Jesus is preaching, and his message is that while there's still time, if you hear his voice, leave your old way and come to know the better way. Turn from your way to his way. Turn from your sin and receive forgiveness. Turn from your definition of the good life and live the better life.

7:30From Jesus, the better way of supernatural blessing. Right, the second part of these beatitudes: eternal inheritance, divine comfort, being filled and satisfied by God, receiving mercy, the presence of God. And then here's where 10 through 12 come in: the promise of God's blessing: that no matter how things may seem, no matter what may happen, as a result of following Him, that He's there, He will never leave you. His promises are sure and true. Listen, unexplainable joy and peace despite horrific circumstances.

8:31You see how it's all connecting? So, what I hope that we'll learn this morning is that God blesses and rewards those who live for Him in His kingdom, even when called to suffer for His name. So, the focus of our time will be spent considering Jesus' instruction about the cost of discipleship as well as the promise of reward and blessing for those who suffer for His name. And so, as a good shepherd, Who knows his sheep, he doesn't want us to be unaware.

9:05If I could summarize all that we find here, this is the spoiler. Our Lord wants to prepare us that living for righteousness' sake, living our lives in pursuit of the unseen realities and blessings of eternity, living for another king and kingdom will come at a cost. And just as those who came before us were misunderstood, they were mistreated, they were threatened, they were mocked, they were slandered, they were afflicted with bodily harm, they suffered, they were tortured, they even experienced death.

9:59Brothers and sisters, this too will be our future at varying degrees as we seek to bring light to this dark world. I think that's what Jesus is doing. And so I want to begin by considering the various terms that Jesus uses here related to persecution. What is he saying? What does he mean? Well, what might first come to your mind when we say the word persecution is this idea of being afflicted with bodily harm. Suffering by way of torture, or even being put to death for what you believe or who you identify with. And I think that's correct. I think that's a good definition.

10:41And so you might know, you might be thinking of many examples, and I think examples abound. I want to give you a few of them. You might remember the story in Acts chapter 6 and 7, Stephen's story. You can go there, read it later. It's all there. But Acts 6 says that Stephen was full of grace and power. He was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Wouldn't you love for that to be said about you? I truly do. Well, some naysayers gather, and it says that they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. So the naysayers stir up crowds around him, and here is the result: Acts chapter 7. Now, when they heard these things, they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven, and he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they, the naysayers in the crowd, they cried out with a loud voice. They stopped their ears and they rushed together at him.

12:05They cast him out of the city and they stoned him. And Saul, who became Paul, is the one who did it. Stephen called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, just imagine. Only the grace of God would lead you to say this in the midst of your death. Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And he died. Matthew 14, as if you need a reminder of the twisted nature of our world, it's King Herod's birthday party, and he's been eyeing his niece. Yes, his niece, a family member. The text says that she's dancing for those who are present, and it pleases Herod. It's your niece.

13:12Meanwhile, John the Baptist, who had prepared the way for Jesus, baptized Jesus, was born alongside Jesus. You remember Mary and Elizabeth, their pregnancies. He's in prison because he refuses not to speak about Herod's sin. Then he says, it's not lawful for you to have your niece. Well, Herod, infatuated with his niece, drunk in lust, he promises her anything that she wants. And what does she ask? And what does Herod give her? John's head on a platter.

14:04Why? He refused not to speak against Herod. Matthew 5 at the end of our text. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You remember our forever-long study in Jeremiah? That was his story. And if you need more recent examples, cites like Voice of the Martyrs, Global Christian Relief, persecution.org. Thousands upon thousands standing for the truth, standing for Jesus, and as a result, they face hostility and ill-treatment. Maybe you too have experienced this. Maybe you know someone, someone close to you.

15:00The point is, brothers and sisters, there is an expectation of persecution, and Jesus is preparing us for what is to come. To put it very bluntly, as Paul was inspired to write to Timothy, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted. That was certainly Paul's experience. But I do think that there is a lesser degree in which Jesus has in mind here. I think Jesus captures this when he talks about reviling and uttering all kinds of evil against you.

15:45I do want to say that while I think this is a lesser degree, physically speaking, you and I know that the internal toil that many of these things cause might actually be worse. In other words, it's absolutely false, that old saying. Maybe you've said it, I know I have. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but not true. Not true. I think we say it to make ourselves feel better, to not give them power, those who are saying those things, but it's not. True. So I think it's a lesser degree, but also to revile means to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting way. Uttering all kinds of evil against you, it seems to me, is fleshing out exactly how that looks, what that means.

16:52And so there are many examples, but I want to note that I think this is maybe more in line with the kind of persecution that we will suffer as Americans. I want to give you some examples. I borrowed these from John Piper. If you cherish chastity and purity, your life will be an attack on people's love for free sex. If you embrace temperance and moderation, your life will be a statement against the love of alcohol. If you pursue self-control, your life will be an indictment on all the ways in which we, as Americans, lack self-control, excessive eating, luxury, you name it.

17:54If you live simply and happily, you will show the Folly of luxury. If you walk humbly with your God, you will expose the evil of pride. If you're punctual and thorough in your dealings, you'll lay open the inferiority of laziness and negligence. If you speak with compassion, you will throw callousness into sharp relief. If you're earnest, you will make the flippant look flippant instead of clever. If you're spiritually minded, you'll expose the worldly-mindedness of those around you. And you can think of more, and we could say a lot more.

18:38Brothers and sisters, Jesus is preparing his followers for the moment, the times when people will come against them, when people will come against us and wish to do us harm because we refuse to adhere to the patterns and the ways of this world. And so, before we move on to consider the blessing and rewards, now that we have a sense of what he means by persecution, I think it's important to say, to note here, that not every form of persecution will be blessed by God.

19:18You can probably see it in the examples we gave. You probably caught it. Acts 6 and 7, we're talking about Stephen. It says, they could not walk. Withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. Not his wisdom, but God's wisdom. And John, John wasn't trying to be king. He was speaking against the king for his folly. He was standing for truth. The prophets of old, men, women, and children who refused to compromise the truth.

20:00Any and all of Jesus' followers who demonstrate these characteristics, the Beatitudes, who pursue Jesus in a world that peddles the opposite, those are the ones that will be persecuted. Here's the point: He's saying that those who are mistreated, misunderstood, threatened, tortured, even face death, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, verse 10, and on his account, verse 11, they are the ones that will be blessed. They are the ones that will be rewarded. In other words, when you face hostility and ill-treatment, because you identify with Jesus, not for your own sake, not because of your own platform, not because you're on your own soapbox, but for Jesus' sake. You can know that our Lord, he sees, he knows, he will reward.

21:13That's what I think he's saying. So, not all persecution is blessed and rewarded, but when suffered for righteousness' sake, for the name of Jesus, it will be rewarded. We have that promise, and so we can have hope. And so, with all of this in mind, I want to consider how in the world is there blessing in persecution. Like, how are we blessed when facing hostility and ill-treatment for Jesus? How is this the good life? That's what Jesus is talking about.

21:50A couple of reasons. First, followers of Jesus are blessed even in the midst of persecution because the active and living presence of God is with us, in us, and among us. We celebrate it every Christmas. You probably remember the phrase. It's linked to the genealogy of Jesus. It's part of that the kingdom of God is at hand. There's a name given to Jesus. We sing it every Christmas: Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus comes to be with us, God in the flesh, but not just God with us.

22:41We also learn, and we've experienced that by coming to faith in Jesus, turning to trust in him, we are given the very Spirit of God. The indwelling Spirit not only serves as a guarantee that we will receive the promises of God, but that His very presence is in us, inside of us, and it helps us in our greatest time of need. So God with us, God in us, and this means that our souls are secure no matter what may come. No matter what others may do or say against us, we are secure.

23:25But God is not just with us and in us, as if that's not enough, but God is also among us. He is among us. So this phrase in verse 12, just as the prophets were persecuted, means that you and I are supernaturally connected with the saints past, present, and future. There's a supernatural connection. The book of Hebrews, the author reminds us that through faith, we have this spiritual heritage that dates back to the beginning of time.

24:01We are all exiles on this journey toward home. And that presence can mean everything in the midst of suffering. Listen to Hebrews 12. Surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Listen to how Jesus endured, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God. So, not only are we linked to the saints of old, but God has gathered and formed a people, the church, that we might journey together as we follow him.

24:54And in these ways, brothers and sisters, this means that we're never alone. No matter how things may seem, we're never alone. And if we're going to faithfully endure suffering and persecution of various kinds, we have to know. We have to see this. So, his presence is sure with us, in us, among us. But I do want to also point out the pathway, the pathway, the way of persecution, because Persecution is the way of our Savior. And so we don't ask for it. We don't go find it.

25:40But we're not afraid of it. Because we understand that in and through persecution, we're following in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior. This is the narrow way that leads to life. Listen to John 15. If the world hates you, Jesus says, know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

26:15Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, Jesus says, then they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. And then the writer of Hebrews says that as a result of all of this, Jesus is our great, sympathetic high priest.

26:50He knows full well anything and everything that we will endure because he experienced it. So, the first way that we see and understand God's blessing, even in the midst of persecution, is that God's very presence is in us, with us, and among us. And in a way, suffering proves, it shows that we are becoming those people, the Beatitudes. Because increasingly, there is a stark contrast between who we are and who the world is. Well, the second thing, followers of Jesus are blessed even in the midst of persecution, because the refining nature of hardship gives us the proper perspective of this earthly life. The refining nature of hardship gives us the proper perspective of this earthly life.

27:59Truth is, the world and all that's in it is wasting away. We learn that in the scripture. We see that in the world around us. I'm not saying that you shouldn't expect good times. I'm not saying that there isn't joy to be had in the here and now. But what I am saying is that the general direction of things is not your best life now and. Forever. Brothers and sisters, I think we have been lulled to think that that is the case.

28:43And yet, still, through all the difficulty, all the hardship, all of the persecution that we might experience in this life, it is but light and momentary compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Him, of being with Him and walking with Him in the here and now, the unexplainable reward and blessing and contentment that comes from knowing Him now, and then the future reward that is to come. In a sense, we are blessed no matter what may come because we understand that even in our suffering, nothing is meaningless.

29:41The purpose of God is to refine us and sanctify us, that we might be more fully formed, more fully complete, more mature in Christ. This is precisely what Paul tells the Thessalonians: He says that God's will, His purpose in your Life is your sanctification, your godliness. Peter reminds us as those whom God has caused to be born again, that we have a confident hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But he says that between our birth and our death, the dash in between, it's not going to be easy.

30:31Listen to how Peter says it: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His mercy, He's caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you've been grieved by various trials.

31:16It's much easier to read. But when you consider the testing that we experience, it makes it harder. So that the testing. The genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold, that perishes though it's tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor. But the revelation of Jesus, though you haven't seen him, you know him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. Because what is the result of all of that? It's obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Wonderful, beautiful. But as we read between the lines, as we consider our experience, it's not so easy.

32:25But there's hope. That's what Peter says. Not just past, not in the future, but there's living hope right now, today. And it means that no matter what you endure, everything that God permits in your life and in mine has divine purpose. All right, final thing in this section. Followers of Jesus are blessed even in the midst of persecution because persecution helps. us to focus on our eternal and better home, the forever presence of God. Jesus tells us here that those who are persecuted and reviled for his name's sake, theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They are the ones who will receive great reward in heaven. In a word, dear brother, dear sister, no matter what this life may bring, knowing Christ and making him known, no matter the cost, it will be worth it.

33:33And though we can't fully explain it and we can't fully see it, we believe his promise that it is prepared and it is ready. Mark 10, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, there's no one who has left house or brothers or sister or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now and this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life.

34:19But many who are first will be last and the last first. May this increase our longing for eternal rest, forever safety and security with our Lord and Savior. God with us, God in us, God among us. Those things that are occurring in our lives or that will occur in our lives are never without purpose. And so, in light of all that we've seen here, all that's been said, how might our Lord want us to be changed in our being and our doing, how might we respond as a result? Well, first and foremost, fix your eyes on Jesus. Remember that phrase in Hebrews? Fix your eyes on Jesus, the one who suffered in your place.

35:17During this moment, this moment in time where we are experiencing relative peace, relative peace, you and I need to prepare by drawing near to Jesus. Brothers and sisters, there's no way to endure being misunderstood, mistreated, threatened, mocked, slandered, afflicted with bodily harm, suffering, torture, even death, for righteousness' sake and on his account. There's no way to face hostility and ill-treatment, persecution, reviling, those uttering all kinds of evil against you. You and to do so with joy and gladness, apart from the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. You cannot, you will not do it on your own.

36:17And so I believe the call is to come to Him by turning from your way, trusting in His way, the better way, the way of blessing. He's offered His very power through the Spirit that we might endure, that we might persevere with joy, not just begrudgingly get through it, but with joy. And so we look to Him, we fix our eyes on Him, and we move towards Him that we might know Him. And listen, we shouldn't think that we'll be ready to die for Him where the moment occur if we're not willing to live for Him in the here and now.

37:21What makes us think that it's going to be easier? If there's no relationship, no closeness, if we don't know him and his desires, we might be tempted to think that he's punishing us. But as we've seen this morning, that's not the case. So now is the time. You're not guaranteed another moment. And we all know, I'm not predicting anything, but we all know we're in the middle of an election season, and who knows what's going to change?

38:06Who knows what's going to change and how the state might come against it. I don't know. But what I can know, what we can know, is that this king, he will never be shaken. He's always on his throne, no matter who's in the White House. Amen? So now is the time. So fix our eyes on him. Second, how might our Lord want us to respond? Know and believe that the love, the grace, the mercy of Christ will be sufficient for you in your moment of greatest need.

38:51He's gone before you, he's with you, and he's in you. And though you cannot know Know how and when this world might come against you, you can know that He knows. And though you can't know what it will be like, you can't know what you will do, you can't know what you will say. I mean, we have a sense, but you can't really know, right? He will carry you, He will guide you, He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding.

39:32Brothers and sisters, rest in the sufficiency of His grace today and tomorrow, no matter what may come against us. Well, finally, how might our Lord want to move us and change us to see and savor the beauty, the wonder of the church, the people of God? One of the greatest means that God uses to meet His people in the midst of the worst of circumstances is the family of God, the church. That's why all that we're seeking to do together is so significant. Among the many other things, the many other reasons, it is preparing us in the day-to-day moments of life. Listen, for some of the hardest days that are ahead for some of us. Us.

40:33We can't lose sight of that. I know it seems mundane, I know it seems repetitive, I know it seems boring sometimes, but you have to know, we have to know that these day-by-day moments that we are spending together, that we are investing, it's preparing for some of the hardest days that are ahead. It's true. The world will not give up its hate and self-centered living easily. And so I'm going to need you. You are going to need me. We are going to need one another, God among us, to help us.

41:29And this, my friends, should put into perspective the way in which we, as your leaders, are seeking to guide you in the way by centering your life around this family. I know there's all kinds of things that are much more fun, that are much better ways to spend your time. It's true, but it doesn't compare. Centering your life Around the body of Christ, the encouragement to be intentional. Every moment that we get to spend together, before, during, and after, show up early, leave late.

42:12It's all doing something very significant. The importance of committing to the body of Christ through membership, the expectation that you and I will walk with a smaller group of folks, maybe a life group, maybe an accountability group, teaching you from the pulpit and in class the truth of God as He has revealed it, and then trying to help shape your worldview in light of that. As a result of who God is and what He said in His Word, now how do we think about living life for Jesus? All of that. Giving ourselves in service of one another and for one another. Brothers and sisters, don't miss the significance.

42:58Don't miss the significance of all that we are doing. Many of these realities go unseen, they are not seen, but something significant is happening. Seeing and savoring the beauty of the church, the people of God. All of these things are solidifying this family bond so that even in the worst of circumstances like persecution, Being reviled and spoken evil against, we can stand firm together. Well, it's for all these reasons that it's remotely possible to do what Jesus commanded in verse 12. Did you see it?

43:51Rejoice and be glad, even in persecution. Look at how all of the Beatitudes come together. Know that the world will come against you for following Jesus. But, beloved, rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Rejoice and be glad, for the kingdom of heaven is yours in Christ. Rejoice and be glad, for you will be comforted. Rejoice and be glad, for you will be satisfied. Rejoice and be glad, for you will receive mercy. Rejoice and be glad, O Son, O daughter of God, for you will see God.

44:49This is how God blesses and rewards those who live for Him and for His kingdom, even when called to suffer for His name. And so, in closing, I want to pray over you and for you. I've adapted Psalm 27, our call to worship text, into a prayer for you, into pray with you. I know that prayer is always instructive. It teaches us about God and ourselves. It's also participatory. That's why we say amen. And so, in all of these ways, I want to help equip us for the days ahead.

45:35I want to pray for you, and I want you to pray with me in your heart because we need God to help us live this life no matter what comes against us. So, let's pray. Oh, Father, when we are tempted to fear and to dread those who may come against us, we turn to you, our light, our salvation, our stronghold. Even though the worst that we could imagine may come to pass. We will not be afraid, but be confident in you.

46:39Our only request and our great desire is that we would dwell in your presence now and forever, that we might gaze upon your beauty and the wonders that you have done. Oh God, protect us, hide us, conceal us from adversity. We rejoice knowing that our souls are secure in you and we devote ourselves to making much of you with our entire lives. Please don't turn away from us. Don't abandon us, for you are our helper. Apart from you, we can do nothing.

47:42And even if those closest to me, closest to us, abandon us, we know that you care for us. Show us your way, the way of blessing. Lead us on the level path. And save us from the will of those who wish us harm because of our loyalty to you, from those who might wish to speak lies about us and so much more. This we know: we will see your goodness and be rewarded for faithfulness. God, we wait by your strength and with courageous hearts. We wait.

48:43Thank you for meeting us through your word. Thank you for speaking to us through words you've already spoken. We praise you and thank you. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for listening to the sermon audio from New Life Baptist Church in College Station, Texas. For more information or to support our ministry, visit us online at newlifecs.net.