Sermon Notes, February 6, 2020
Matthew 5.10-12
Persecution, Part 1
Dragon Ride: True Stories of Adventure, Miracles, and Evangelism from China
By Grace Jacob
THE PRICE OF FAITH 1996, Wuran
“Well, I love the Lord, and I’m going to serve him no matter what the police do. They already took college away from me, they can’t take it away again!”
IF YOU WERE GOING TO START A NEW RELIGION
PERSECUTION IS PART OF A PACKAGE DEAL
Who are the people being described?
“Though they be ever so meek, merciful, pure in heart, their piety will not shield them from suffering. They must hang their harp on the willows and take up the cross. The way to heaven is by way of thorns and blood. Set it down as a maxim. If you will follow Christ, you must see the swords and staves. Put the cross in your creed.”
“What can I do? I must live.” And the wise Tertullian replied, “Must you?”
IF I TOLD YOU ONCE …
Luke 6:26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, …
Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, …
Matthew 10:17-18
Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, ….
Matthew 10:22
and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. …
Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
John 15:18
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
V19 the world hates you
V20 they will persecute you …
16.2 they will make you outcasts
16.33 in the world you have tribulation
Philippians 1:29
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 3:10
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection,
and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
NOT ALL THE TIME
THE CAUSE OF PERSECUTION
Not just a sort of generic religious persecution
Not PERSECUTION BECAUSE WE ARE OBNOXIOUS
2 Timothy 2:24
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
1 Peter 4:15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE
Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, …
THERE IS A WAY TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION
If you never stand up for righteousness you will never be persecuted for righteousness …
IT IS ON HIS ACCOUNT
V11 others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Dragon Ride: True Stories of Adventure, Miracles, and Evangelism from China
By Grace Jacob
“If leaving me in the mental institution will HELP MORE PEOPLE KNOW Jesus, then leave me there!”
Am I A Soldier of the Cross
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow’r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
