The Jesus Perspective Part 6 – Persecuted

Matthew 5:10-12  

“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.”

You might be persecuted if…

1. Your popularity and social status takes a .

Luke 6:26 (MSG) 

“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests — Your task is to be true, not popular.”

2. You lose your or purposely are not .

3. Your dating life down.

4. Your family turns you.

Luke 12:52-53 

“From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

5. You are .

1 Peter 4:4 “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.” 

If you are not experiencing persecution ever, maybe you need to ask yourself some questions like… 

• Am I really living a righteous life?
• Does my life express my devotion and loyalty to Jesus as Lord of my life?

Jesus invites us to follow him. He warned us it wouldn’t be easy. He said we would daily have to pick up our cross and follow him. However he also promised us life eternal and the opportunity to live a blessed life.

Additional Notes: