Mountainside Discipleship
Blessed are the persecuted
Matthew 5:10-12
Studying the first recorded teaching of Jesus
Some portions of the teaching are familiar
Probably a multi-hour teaching
We have the highlights of what Jesus said
Teaching his first four disciples and a crowd of people that had gathered to hear him and receive healing from him
The lesson that Jesus presents is a multifaceted description of what one of his disciples will ultimately look like.
Jesus’ description of what a disciple will ultimately look like is as important today as it was 2,000 years ago
People have so many different ideas of what a disciple of Jesus should look/act like
For some a disciple is someone who: Reads their Bible, attends church, maybe tithe, is patriotic
In previous decades a disciple might have been described:
“They don’t smoke or chew or go with girls who do.”
For some people being a disciple is a matter of the songs that are sung and the Bible version that is read
For some people discipleship is a matter of who baptizes people in water, the words that are said and the building that they are baptized in
For some people discipleship centers on the debate of sprinkling/baptizing kids vs dunking/when someone is old enough to know what is happening
For some discipleship is having the correct view of when Jesus is returning – terms; Rapture, pre-millennial, a-millennial, pre-trib, post-trib and mid-trib.
Those discussions and points of view are interesting and at times important
But Jesus never said:
Blessed are those who were sprinkled at baptism …
Blessed are those who sing old-time gospel songs
What has been called: “The Beatitudes” found in Matthew 5 are a description of the heart work that Jesus wants to do in the life of every person who seeks to live as his disciple.
Unless/until the heart work that Jesus describes takes place a person will never be able to live out the rest of his instructions in the Sermon on the Mount.
Here’s what Jesus has said so far:
Blessed are the 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 and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
What we’ve seen is that “Blessed” can mean – God approves of or God’s hand of approval is upon
God approves of people who are poor in spirit
God’s hand of approval is upon those who spiritual beggars.
Can I back track for a minute?
I’m going to give you my personal ideology about my nature and your nature – Sin Nature
When God created mankind – “Humanity” – He didn’t create us flawed
----- “WORD” SPELL CHECK – “HUMANKIND”
He created us without a “Wow”
WOW – Inner Tube Picture
Inner tubes are seldom symmetrical
The tire is what keeps the shape of the inner tube
Adam and Eve blew it
Every person born since then has had a “Wow”
What is often referred to as “Sin nature”
Some have a “Wow” towards: Greed, Lust after a certain thing/type of person, Anger, bitterness
I have some “WOWS” – some of my wows are the same as yours
BUT I have wows you don’t have
You have “WOWS” that I don’t have
Every person is born with multiple “WOWS”
Bible refers to as “Sin Nature”
When Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit …”
Blessed is the person who recognizes that they have “WOWS”
When I don’t realize and admit that I’m a spiritual beggar
I start to walk around as if I’m “WOWLESS”
My “WOWS” aren’t as bad as your “WOWS” so I must be OK
None of us are “WOWLESS”
YOUR “WOWS” are WHAT MAKES YOU A SPIRITUAL BEGGAR!
God approves of those who recognize that they are nothing but spiritual beggars
God approves of those who grieve when they sin against God and others
God approves of those who realize that they are not better/worse – more important/less important that anyone else
God approves of those who desire deep in their spirit to do what is right for the right reason
God approves of those who show mercy to others regardless of the cost
God approves of those do those things because then their heart is beginning to become pure
God approves of people who out of those characteristics desire to mend broken relationships - Peacemakers
We haven’t even talked about the promises – outcome of allowing Jesus to create those characteristics in our lives
Comfort – peace, presence, an awareness that as the song says: “It is well with my soul.”
Inheritance of the earth
Filled up spiritually
Shown mercy
Seeing God
Called children of God
Kingdom of heaven
Now let’s tackle the final Beatitude
There is a strange twist to the last Beatitude
Jesus has just finished mentioning PEACEMAKING
Reconciling relationships
Sorting through difficulties with others
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
This Beatitude is different than the previous Beatitudes
The other ones all have to do with what is going on IN HERE – IN ME
The last Beatitude is about something happening TO ME
God’s hand of approval is upon people who are mistreated and persecuted
Qualifier – because of righteousness
Doing the right thing
Jesus doesn’t say that someone is “blessed” just because they are mistreated and persecuted
God’s approval is not upon people who are “jerks” and then are judged/excluded because of it
God’s approval is not upon people who are spoken against because they are irresponsible
God’s hand of approval isn’t on people who don’t get invited to events because they are irritable and miserable to be around
Over the years I’ve been doing ministry people have complained that they are mistreated and picked on
Claim: It’s a “spiritual battle” – Attack from Satan – Their being persecuted
Sometimes
Sometimes --- The person who is claiming that it is a “spiritual attack” is just a bad neighbor or irresponsible or rude
They to put it plainly were in the wrong
Here’s the point
Just because you are mistreated
Just because someone says something about you
It doesn’t mean that it is an “attack” or that “you’re being persecuted”
Jesus doesn’t say:
Blessed are the persecuted because they are ornery
Blessed are the persecuted because they are obstinate or difficult or hard to get along with
Blessed are the persecuted who are unwise in the financial dealings
BUT
If you allow Jesus to make you into a certain type of person
If you strive to live in a certain type of way
Some people will find you, your life and what you stand for distasteful
The “righteousness” that you hunger for will make them feel miserable
Jesus goes on to describe what “Blessed are those who are persecuted”looks like
"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 5:4-12 NIV)
The idea that God’s hand of approval would be upon you because people insult you, persecute, falsely say things
That is hard to grasp
Why would God – an all loving God – allow me, His child to go through this?
God is supposed to protect me
God is supposed to make everything rosy and bight in my life
I’m supposed to be rewarded for allowing Him to change me
I’m meant to be blessed because I live a certain way
People are supposed to love me!
This idea is so contrary to the WORLD’S WAY of thinking
World’s way of looking at life is Blessed are you:
If people love you
If people want you to be part of their crowd
If people invite you into their important life
If people pay attention to your opinion
If people think that you’re cool
NOT: You are blessed when people insult you, persecute you, falsely say all kinds of evil
Jesus takes it farther:
“Rejoice and be glad” -- “Great is your reward in heaven.”
Rejoice and be glad when people say things about you and have attitudes about you because:
You don’t sleep around, won’t cheat on tests, don’t get involved in prejudice
You don’t cut corners at work
You don’t manipulate and mistreat others
You become an outsider to others
You’re not invited or maybe uninvited
2012 Presidential Inauguration Louie Giglio a pastor in the Atlanta are was asked to give the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration
There was an uproar over a message that he taught in the mid-1990’s about the sanctity of marriage being between a man and a woman
Accusations were made
Names were called
He was accused by groups and the media of being a bigot and homophobe
Tried and convicted in the court of “political correctness.”
Ultimately - He withdrew from participation
The morning of the event he Tweeted - "The word benediction literally means 'good + to speak.' Seeking to do this today."
That day, God’s hand of approval, was upon Louie Giglio
What did Jesus say? Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven!
He responded correctly
He didn’t back down --- He didn’t speak ill
It is interesting that often people have the idea that the PERFECT CHRISTIAN is always nice and reserved and popular and who doesn’t offend anyone.
If Jesus’ Beatitude is true – the real disciple is someone who at times will not be praised by everyone but will be ridiculed, mocked, spoken against, excluded and mistreated.
In Luke’s record of other Beatitudes that Jesus taught he said:
“Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26 NIV)
People always spoke “well” of the false prophets because the false prophets told people what they wanted to hear!
“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. … Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash.” (Ezekiel 13:9-10 NIV)
During WWI Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out forcefully against Hitler, the Nazi’s and the church that had capitulated to pressure
He was executed in April 1945 under the direct order of Heinrich Himmler.
Bonhoeffer believed and often taught – “Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not above his master.”
The TRUTH IS - God’s hand of approval is upon people when they “Speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)
If I recognize that I’m a spiritual beggar
And I grieve when I sin against God and others
When I recognize that I’m no better/worse – more important/less important
When I desire deep in my spirit to do what is right for the right reason
When I chose to show mercy to others regardless of the cost
My heart is beginning to become pure
Out of those attitudes I seek to mend broken relationships
I will encounter people who are against me
I will encounter situations where I must “speak the truth in love – always full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6)
30 years after Jesus ascended into heaven the Apostle Peter instructed disciples who were suffering for their faith how to THINK and ACT
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV)
Do you hear an echo of the Beatitudes?
“Be compassionate and humble” – Blessed are the MEEK
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” – Blessed are the MERCIFUL
“Eager to do good” – Blessed are those who HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS
“If you should suffer for what is right” – Blessed are the PERSECUTED
“Keeping a clear conscience” – Blessed are the PURE IN HEART
Can you hear the echo of Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes?
How many times do you think that Peter and the other disciples heard these kinds of words from Jesus?
I bet that it was more than a few …
What the Beatitudes and the life of Jesus reveals is someone who lived a life entirely differently.
Remember the Beatitudes are about the work that Jesus wants to do in our hearts that will enable us to then live more like Jesus
The last Beatitude could be written:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are striving to live like Jesus.
God’s approval is on those who are mistreated and rejected because they’re living the Jesus way!
Practical pointers
Don’t back down
“Nobody believes this way anymore…”
“Everybody is …”
Language, sexual morality, marriage, giving, time, priorities, the discipline of children, entertainment
Jesus isn’t teaching that his followers should go looking for persecution but that if they are living HIS WAY, it will come
Strive to live as Jesus describes in the Beatitudes
Living the Jesus way is often countercultural
A disciple is unlike everyone else who is not a disciple
Herein lies the problem:
Somehow Christians have come to believe that they will not be winsome if they are different
If Jesus controls a Christian’s life
The disciple’s life by nature going to be different
A life that is lived like Jesus will be winsome
It will not be like everyone else
It will be counter-cultural
Before we pray let me read a quote from Bonhoeffer
“Here at the end of the Beatitudes the question arises as to where in this world such a faith-community actually finds a place…at the cross. The faith-community of the blessed is the community of the Crucified. With him they lost everything, and with him they found everything.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Next week we will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior
Easter is a day when we can again commit ourselves to live life the JESUS WAY