November 7, 2021

Persecution and Joy

Ron Lutz – Matthew 5:10-12

Sermon Quotes

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.

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
-Hebrews 13:3, NIV

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

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.”
-Matthew 5:11, The Message

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.
-John 15:20

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

“Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above his master… it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called to suffer. In fact it is a joy and a token of his grace.”
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
-Matthew 5:12

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
-Acts 5:41-42

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
-2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 “We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
-Madeleine L’Engle

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
-2 Corinthians 4:17-18