Friday, August 15, 2014

August 16, 2014

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12


As you think about Christians being persecuted, the thought may cross your mind, "Will I be persecuted?

The short answer – “Only if you’re righteous…..”

The context of this teaching on the “Beatitudes” implies that if you are successful in applying the first seven of these Kingdom qualities, the evidence will be the eighth – you WILL be persecuted!

“You will be hated by all for my name's sake…Matthew 10:22

“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:20

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

The Apostle Paul later wrote:

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake… “ Philippians 1:29

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… “ 2 Timothy 3:12

‘Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you, and insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the son of man”. Luke 6:22

“Every faithful believer will have some resistance and ridicule from the world, while others, for God’s own purposes, will endure extreme suffering” - John MacArthur 

It’s a certainty, some of you here today in this room will face life threatening persecution. Are you ready?

Several common forms Of Persecution: 

1) Economic Persecution

Prophecies tell of a time when only those who take the mark of the beast will be able to buy or sell. We are seeing the beginnings of that with the some the Government mandates being handed down.

We will see Christians being passed over for job promotions or discriminated against in hiring because of their faith.

2) Social Persecution

Christians will be hated, ostracized and marginalized because of their opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. 

3) Family Persecution

Traditional marriage and parenting will come under increasing pressure as schools and government seek to gain more influence and control over their children.

4) Religious Persecution

We have already seen the beginning of religious persecution when the Catholic Church was required to provide birth control for its employees even against their moral and religious beliefs.

I believe we will soon see tax exemptions taken away for contributions to local churches and churches losing their property tax exemptions.

We will see the government continue to apply pressure over what pastors preach from the pulpit.

There will be state and federal discrimination laws making it illegal for pastors to refuse to marry same-sex couples.

Over my lifetime I have seen the Government systematically try to assume the role of God and to politicize religion and morality. That does not bode well for evangelical conservatives who believe in a big God and a small government.

5) Political Persecution

We will see continued efforts to increase the size and scope of the Federal Government. As the Government gets larger, the private sector shrinks and individual liberties erode.

We are seeing a determined strategy to eliminate opposition parties such as Republicans and Independent Tea Party types. There is strong evidence to suggest that conservative Tea Party organizations were intentionally targeted by the IRS and denied tax-exempt status that could have negatively impacted their chances in the 2012 elections.

The persecution of righteous believers will continue to increase. While it will take different forms, expect it to become increasingly stronger and more threatening.

God's Word clearly warns us it will happen. Why should you expect it won't happen and why wouldn't you be preparing yourself and your family to face persecution?





August 15, 2014

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

One of the main themes of the Beatitudes is to define righteousness for followers of Christ and to show them how to please God. The word "blessed" means to have the favor of God.

If you want to please God, live by the Beatitudes. If you live by the Beatitudes you will be righteous and if you live righteously in an evil world, you will be persecuted.

So, are we then to conclude that God is pleased when you are persecuted?

No, God takes no pleasure in your persecution but He does take pleasure in your faithfulness to remain righteous in the face of intense pressure and pain.

Remaining righteous in the midst of persecution proves that you love pleasing God more than you like pleasing yourself. That pleases God.

God was pleased when Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself by being unrighteous under the pressure to conform to the King's decrees. Daniel was faithful all the way to the lion's den and he pleased God.

We know that God shut the mouths of the lions but Daniel didn't know that in advance, he just knew he was determined to remain righteous.

God was pleased when the three Hebrew children declared they would not bow to the image of the king even if it meant they would burn in his fiery furnace.

When the image came past and the trumpets sounded and everyone bowed low, they stood tall. They were fully prepared to perish in the furnace but their righteousness pleased God so much He sent His Son into the flames to deliver them.

So, while God takes no pleasure in your persecution He is pleased when you prove that you love Him and His righteousness more than you love your own life.

The pressure and pain of persecution is God's proving ground for those committed to pleasing Him.

Will you please Him as the prophets of old did?

Will you purpose to live righteously today no matter how much it hurts?