1. “Committed, Persecuted & Blessed” In Jesus’ teaching (Matthew) In the early church (Acts) In Paul’s life (2 Corinthians) In today’s church In me?

2. Jesus’ teaching - Matthew 5 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

3. Matthew 5 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

4. Matthew 5 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” CommittedPersecutedBlessed

5. The early church - Acts Peter and John – jailed – “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” – threatened – prayed – they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Apostles – jailed – released by an angel – arrested – “we must obey God rather than men” – flogged – rejoiced for being counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Stephen – arrested and falsely accused – preached – stoned to death – “I see heaven open….Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. James – arrested by Herod and put to the sword. Peter – arrested by Herod – released by an angel – the church was overjoyed.

6. 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Committed

7. 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are: hard pressed on every sidebut not crushed 9 perplexed but not in despair persecutedbut not abandoned struck downbut not destroyed 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. Persecuted

8. 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Blessed

9. “Committed, Persecuted & Blessed” In Jesus’ teaching (Matthew) In the early church (Acts) In Paul’s life (2 Corinthians) In today’s church In me?

10. Reflection Am I insulted for being a Christian? Am I persecuted for being a Christian? Do people tell lies about me because I’m a Christian? REJOICE!

11. Reflection Do I keep my head down, so that I am not insulted for being a Christian? Do I keep silent to avoid persecution? Is popularity or a quiet life more important to me than Jesus and his righteousness? REPENT!