1. 1 Braggs church of Christ

2. 2 Bless Are They Who Are Persecuted For Righteousness’ Sake

3. 3 Introduction  There is a vital connection between this beatitude and the one before it  The one who works at making peace will be persecuted  Peacemakers suffer for making peace

4. 4 1. Why Christians Suffer  A genuine Christian is different  2 Cor. 5:17

5. 5 1. Why Christians Suffer  If we accept Christ’s way of living then we are sure of being resented by the world  Jn. 15:18

6. 6 1. Why Christians Suffer  The Christian is also a constant rebuke to the sin and selfishness of the world  Mt. 5:13-14

7. 7 1. Why Christians Suffer  The Christian will meet opposition because he makes the world feel uncomfortable – he “interferes” with their sinful way of life  Eph. 5:11

8. 8 2. Suffering Will Happen To Those Who Live Right  2 Tim. 3:12  We live in an upside-down world

9. 9 2. Suffering Will Happen To Those Who Live Right  Human beings:  Hate when they should love  Quarrel when they should be friendly  Fight when they should be peaceful

10. 10 2. Suffering Will Happen To Those Who Live Right  Human beings:  Wound when they should heal  Steal when they should share  Do wrong when they should do right

11. 11 2. Suffering Will Happen To Those Who Live Right  That is why Christians to the world are misfits  Therefore persecution will come to the faithful  NOTE – we are to be persecuted for “righteousness sake”

12. 12 2. Suffering Will Happen To Those Who Live Right  That is for doing what is right as revealed in God’s word

13. 13 3. The Persecuted Are Blessed. Why?  A. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven”  We suffer for the kingdom because we are in the kingdom

14. 14 3. The Persecuted Are Blessed. Why?  B. They have fellowship with the sufferings of Christ  Phil. 3:10

15. 15 3. The Persecuted Are Blessed. Why?  C. Suffering works patience in us  Rom. 3:3-5

16. 16 4. “Rejoice And Be Exceeding Glad  A. Because “great is your reward in heaven”  Rom. 8:18  1 J. 3:2

17. 17 4. “Rejoice And Be Exceeding Glad  B. “So persecuted the prophets which were before you”  This brings us into fellowship with noble company - the prophets

18. 18 References  Survey of the Life of Christ, by Melvin J. Wise The Living Way series, Lambert’s Book House, 1968