ENCOUNTERING CHRIST

Good Morning Loving Church,

Today is Monday, June 20^th, 2016. Today is the 172^nd Day of 2016.

There are only 194 days left in this year; and, there ONLY 27 DAYS left until VBS BEGINS; and, only 188 days left until CHRISTMAS…

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER !!!

ENCOUNTERING CHRIST IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Matthew 5:10-12
¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Here we are reminded again that the Citizens of the KINGDOM are very different people than the Citizens of the World.

Before I deal with the amazing reaction to persecution given in verse 12, please take note of two “conditions” of the persecution of which Jesus speaks in verses 10-11.

First, HE is speaking of persecution “for righteousness’ sake.” Neither here nor anywhere else does Jesus tell us that all persecution brings blessing. It is when HIS KINGDOM people are persecuted for living like HIM that we are blessed of God.

Sadly, but surely, sometimes our difficulties are due to our own sinful behaviors. Those situations are a case of “reaping what we sow” and cannot be thought of as “suffering for Jesus.”

On those occasions, we are simply suffering for our sins.

Second, Jesus is speaking of being persecuted “falsely.” As hard as any persecution is, it is very painful to be persecuted because of accusations against us that we know are not true.

Again, if the accusations against us that bring persecution are true – that is, that we are guilty of sinful behavior, then such persecution does not guarantee the blessings of God.

BUT, when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; and, or, the accusations against us are false, then we can rejoice because God, HIMSELF, (Who knows all things) will reward us.

Two final thoughts…

First, our promised reward will be in heaven. We may never be justified before men in this world. We may suffer wrongly and continually. God will reward us, but HE may allow us to suffer here to be rewarded there.

Finally, we can rejoice because we are in good company when we suffer for righteousness’ sake and when we suffer for things of which we are not guilty.

“For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” If God allowed Joseph, and Jeremiah, and John the Baptist to suffer undeservedly, what makes us think that HE must deliver us?

HE may deliver us; and, HE often does. But we have no guarantee of that.

When we suffer for following God… when we suffer because of false accusations…

Rejoice!

The lesson for NEXT Wednesday evening, (June 22^nd) is “THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH”.

Each Wednesday will feature a stand-alone lesson, so even if you can’t make them all; be sure you catch as many of these lessons as you can.

Carpe Diem!