The Persecuted

Brothers & sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Today we think about the human tendency to ‘Shoot the messenger.’
Tragically this is what literally happened in North Motton as a policeman delivered a court order that a person did not like. He was shot and died while doing his duty.

When people hear a message that they do not think is fair or is different to ‘their truth’ they reject the message and often ‘shoot the messenger’.
When the creator God speaks the truth to the people he has made in his own image the following is what usually occurs…

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain… They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the creator – who is forever praised. Romans 3:18.

How often do we want to serve a god of our own making instead of the one true God who cannot allow the wicked to go unpunished. God sends prophets to reveal the truth to the wicked and sinners. They come in the name of Almighty God with a message of warning – ‘This is what the Lord says … ‘
The Bible is the living Word of the living God who made the heavens, earth and all that they contain. It is a record of the way God has and will deal with people.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 5:9

Let us be clear about what the Lord’s will is. God’s justice must be satisfied. Either we pay the price and bear the punishment we deserve for failing to keep all of God’s holy commandments or we seek the Saviour Almighty God has provided.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn
the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17

The climax of the beatitudes, the fruit of all the preceding statements is:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
How in the world can those who are persecuted, insulted, and have their character assassinated be happy, be blessed, rejoice and be glad? Has Jesus lost touch with reality?

As we look at the world through God’s eyes and we will see that the disciple can find joy even when suffering for doing good. In a sense we must see our own lives as God sees us. This requires faith, trust and a knowledge of the truth. Let me try to illustrate it by asking a question.

When are you filled with real joy that lasts longer than a day or month? When is it that you are most alive?

It is when you are really connected with the ‘spiritual’ dimension of life. It is when you are tuned in with the will of the loving heavenly Father. If you are connected to a purpose which embraces eternity, you are able to suffer whatever adversity that comes along with a peace and inner joy that fills your whole being. This is the commentary on Jesus life.
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning
its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary or lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2,3

Jesus knew that the Father had sent Him into the world to do a job. His life was not in the hands of cruel fate. He is the righteousness of God, the perfect covenant keeper who through His life and death would usher in the kingdom of righteousness, peace and everlasting life. Jesus is the Christian’s Lord, Master and example. Jesus in the beatitudes says, Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. I remind you of the task a prophet ‘God says…’ It is precisely when we are confronted with opposition that our real colours show. Where is our faith, trust and hope? In a sense, the first beatitudes are all about knowing the grace of God in our own lives and living by faith. It is about knowing that God has marked out the race you are to run beforehand. It is about knowing the good-works God has prepared in advance for you to do. It is about not – talk which is cheap, but the power of God manifest in the life of the person He has called to make an everlasting difference.

The world will never be the same because God has used you to write His story in the pages of the book of life. Can you see this? When we are in tune with God’s will – Yes, suffering for righteousness – for that which is God’s will – we are filled with joy and gladness. Can you hear the words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as king Nebuchadnezzar questions them about why they are not worshiping the idol he has set up. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of
gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18.

The kingdom of God came in power at that moment in history through the faith and testimony of these three children of God. God did rescue them from the blazing furnace. God revealed himself as the one who is powerful to save. However, many of the prophets lost their lives at the hands of evil people. Most of the 12 disciples of Jesus died at the hands of God’s enemies. We can think of the martyrdom of Stephen. Acts 6 and 7. God’s plan is to save sinners from the wrath to come.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15
My friends, what is the point of suffering for doing evil? What reward is there in that? – Isn’t it pointless!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23,24

The result of the spiritual rebirth that God has done in us causes us to pray for the Holy Spirit to control our heart, will, thinking, outlook and as a result our actions.
The blessing when you are insulted, persecuted and slandered follows the blessedness of peacemakers. Isn’t it the peacemaker that is so often in the world’s
firing line.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.” James 1:2-18

Talk is cheap! Was not Jesus called the prince of peace. What happened to Him? He came to His own – the Jewish nation – the religious leaders rejected Him and had Him killed. But it was His Fathers will for Jesus to suffer so sinners might be reconciled to God. So Jesus suffered even the shame of the cross and died so
the victory over sin, satan and death might be realised.

What price are we prepared to pay for the sake of the kingdom? The disciple of Jesus has a heart that is ‘after God’s heart’. They long for righteousness – the righteousness of God. They long for peace. Their prayer is that the wicked would forsake their evil ways and turn to God for mercy. Their prayer is that people would come to their senses and repent and believe on the only name given to save sinners.

God has given the church a task that is going to impact on eternity. Those persecuted for righteousness sake, for the sake of the kingdom of God, Jesus says, Great is your reward in heaven! The world may think that Christians are crazy. That is because they don’t see life through God’s eyes. The world is stuck on the things that perish. The Christian has his/her eyes on those things that last. The foundation of the kingdom of God has been laid; Christ, the prophets, the disciples…

For we are God’s fellow-workers; each one should be careful how he builds.
For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to
light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Talk is Cheap! What price are we prepared to pay to see the kingdom realised here in Penguin, on the North-west, in Tassy, Australia and to the ends of the earth? We can be assured that when we are on the front-line, when we are on the cutting edge, when we are advancing on the Evil One’s territory, there will be opposition. But take courage, rejoice! Be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Think of the worst scenario for a moment – Stephen in Acts. What sort of reception was waiting for Him as the last stone was hurled at his broken battered body?

By faith we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Hence Jesus says,
Blessed are poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Take notice of the full circle.
The world cannot take away the contentment and promise and faith and trust and hope which the blessed/happy believer enjoys. We have freedom to enjoy with thankfulness all God’s good gifts and look forward to the day when God will be all in all.

Amen.