Jesus ends The Beatitudes with a reality check: Following Him will not always be easy.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV)

#1: Faithful People Stand for Christ even It Costs Them

Blessed are those who are PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10 NIV)

The persecution that comes because your commitment to Christ exposes a different way of living.

Jesus was persecuted. His persecution came because He was fulfilling the will of His Father who sent Him.

If they PERSECUTED ME, they WILL PERSECUTE YOU also. (John 15:20 NIV)

• The world rejected Jesus because He represented truth.
• If we faithfully represent Him, we should not be surprised when we experience resistance as well.

God will never ask you to endure hardship alone.

• He promises His peace, His strength, His joy and His victory.

These things I have spoken to you, that IN ME you may have PEACE. IN THE WORLD you will have TRIBULATION; but BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33 NJV)

• In His presence, “In Me, you will have peace”
• In His presence, you will have joy – “be of good cheer”.
• In His presence, you will have victory – “I have overcome the world”

#2: Faithful People Remain Secure in Christ When Others Misrepresent Them

“Blessed are you when PEOPLE INSULT YOU, persecute you and FALSELY SAY ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU because of me.

• More personal shift from “Blessed are those” to now “Blessed are you”
• Words have the power to wound.
• Words, insults, and accusations have the power to harm us but in Him, we are equipped to rise up, to speak up.

NO WEAPON forged against you WILL PREVAIL, and YOU WILL REFUTE every tongue that accuses you. (Isaiah 54:17 NIV)

God’s final verdict matters more than public opinion because He is our ultimate Defender.

#3: Faithful people Live for Eternal Rewards Rather Than Temporary Approval

REJOICE and BE GLAD, because GREAT IS YOUR REWARD in heaven (Matthew 5:12 NIV)

• Jesus redirects our focus back on Him; “Rejoice and be glad.”

Let us throw off EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)

The Christian life is not about surviving until heaven.

• Our joy is not found merely in the destination.
• Our joy is found in the One who walks with us on the journey.
• It is about living life to the fullest now, today.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJ)

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?