Sacred Delights
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted
Because of Righteousness
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Call to Worship:
Psalm 34: 1-8
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Blessed are those who are persecuted…
Blessed? That seems like an odd choice of words to describe moments we are under attack or being insulted or persecuted. At first glance, we might think great this is what we have to look forward to for showing our faith. This is the joy of being a Christian-to being persecuted? And we are to count that as a blessing? I can understand all the other teachings Lord because they are pointing me to You and turning my heart towards You, to be shaped, molded, and transformed into Your image, but has anyone here had any problem with calling the persecution we face in life a blessing? Has anyone felt this is unfair-I’m the one following Jesus and offering my life to Him, why should I have to suffer in this way?
Has anyone wondered in those times of persecution, why God doesn’t tame the tongue of those spewing the hateful words, or bring justice to those wrongly committing injustice? Why are You letting this happen God, to them, to me? And why on earth would I count this miserable time as a blessing?
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This is the blessing and great reward as we remain faithful to Jesus, as we endure persecution for our faith, as we might be insulted at times, as it appears evil has the upper hand and we stand strong in the promises of God and true to Him…we receive a reward far greater than this world can ever offer us-far greater than we can even hope for or imagine. This is not a reward for the wicked; it is for the faithful who remain faithful to God.
Being in times of persecution is hard, isn’t it? It can really shake our faith if we aren’t remaining close to Jesus; it can cause us to question-are you really the One we put our hope in? Are You really my Savior? Are You really for me because it sure doesn’t feel like it right now. It feels quite lonely and dark. Have you ever been there?
You know God can handle our questions. He knows how we are made and He knows what is in your heart anyway. So we can bring those questions to Him and give Him the space to answer the doubts that rise in our mind-“are You the One we are to hope in?”
There was someone else who faced severe persecution for his bold faith. He was the forerunner to Jesus. He was Jesus’ cousin in fact. He was the one who made way for Jesus, the voice in the wilderness who called hearts to turn
back to God and repent for their sinful ways. He was John the Baptist.
He was bold, and courageous in his faith and called everyone to hear and live in truth.
At one point, He called out King Herod who was seduced by Herod’s brother’s wife Herodias. She was making a
plan to move up in the social circle and he was more than happy to agree with her plan. Herod divorced his wife
and married his brother’s wife-because he could. People were fascinated with what was happening but John called
it for what it was-adultery-because Herod took another man’s wife and was also unfaithful to his wife.
Herod didn’t seem to care too much about John’s comments, but Herodias was having none of it. She told Herod to
pull him off his preaching circuit and had him thrown in the dungeon. Because it’s what she wanted, Herod did it.
But that wasn’t good enough-now it was time for revenge because she sure wasn’t going to have John muddy her
name and mess up her plans. She came up with a plan to have her daughter dance for the king and all his men. The
king was entranced by her dancing and said ask for anything and I will grant it to you.
The daughter confirmed with her mother-who was now the queen- and her request was, “John’s head on a silver
platter.”
Herod didn’t really have any great desire to kill John-he found him interesting. But all eyes were on him-would he
spare John’s life because he knew death wasn’t warranted, or would he save face in front of all he led because he
promised this girl anything? He chose to save face and called the order for John’s death.
John gets word of his impending death and rightly so, doubting thoughts begin to rise. Wait a minute, I have spent
my life preparing the way for You Jesus. I have devoted myself to You and followed all You asked of me. I am
family! Aren’t you going to rescue me? Aren’t you going to set up Your kingdom and take over this wicked
leadership? Are you going to do it before it’s too late?
We’ll pick it up here and take a look at John’s state of mind and faith and how Jesus responds. Keep this in mind to
our final teaching from the beatitudes, blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 11:2-11 NIV
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you
the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those
who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the
poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to
speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If
not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’
palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one
about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly
I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
1. Dungeon of Doubt.
John was in the dark and cold dungeon left only with his thoughts to ponder why the faithful suffer and where are
the consequences of the faithless? Every disciple will enter this dungeon of doubt at some point-you and I included.
Matthew 5:10 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
In times we step out in faith and the world knocks us down. In times we do something good and evil rears its ugly
head. In times we take a stand and ending up falling flat on our face. We find ourselves in the dungeon of doubt.
If God is good, why do I hurt so much?
If God is there, why am I here?
What did I do to deserve this in life?
Why are the righteous persecuted?
Why is evil winning?
Do any of these ring true in your thoughts and heart? This is where John was. He sent disciples in fact to ask a very
bold question of Jesus.
Matthew 11: 2-3 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to
ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Are you the One Lord? If You are, why am I in this dungeon? That’s what John was asking in his heart. If You
are the One, when and how are You going to rescue me? John had unmet expectations. Here John was in prison and
he was hearing Jesus is doing business as usual-seemingly unbothered by John’s current state.
When we have unmet expectations in life, we often wonder is God right for this job? Can He really help me in this?
Is He the right God for me? Should I look for someone else?
John felt the One with the power to literally throw open prison cells as He later did for Paul, was now sitting on His
hands. Why isn’t He doing something-He is God Almighty? What could possibly be more important that He can’t
find time to save me? Have you wondered that-God why are You sitting on Your hands?
Was Jesus silent to John’s desperate need?
2. Jesus is Not Silent.
The problem where John was and where we can all be at times was not so much in God’s silence, but in John’s
ability to hear. Jesus wasn’t silent or without concern or action. But John, like all of us, had been listening for the
wrong answer- an answer to his earthly problems. That’s all we listen for at times right-make me more comfortable
right now-whatever that is. Make this problem go away. Jesus was very busy resolving heavenly issues. John
wanted the temporary attended to as we all do, and Jesus was actively bringing about the eternal.
Earlier in Jesus’ ministry he went to the synagogues and found in the scrolls the prophecy from Isaiah regarding His
coming and His purpose in coming. He read it for all to hear.
Luke 4: 18-19 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
He said to all, “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
This threw the Pharisees into a fit that Jesus should dare say the prophecy was now fulfilled through Him. John
would have known of this prophecy and Jesus’ affirmation He was the anointed one sent by the Father.
Look at how Jesus responds to John’s doubts and bold question. He didn’t throw a fit of disgust or condemn him for
his lack of belief-we might do that to others right? But Jesus didn’t because He knows our frail state. He knows our
doubting heart and He never turns away the questions of the sincere searcher. Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness-for they will be satisfied.
So He gives this answer to John:
Matthew 11: 4-5 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the
lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed
to the poor.
He let John in on the great secret that was unfolding-Jesus wasn’t there to establish an earthly kingdom and rule just
in one area. He was there to bring about God’s kingdom and transform the hearts of believers. His kingdom would
be established in our hearts and our home and our great reward is living with Him for all eternity. So He
encouraged John’s heart-look to the greater things-I am doing it. It’s in motion and it’s happening all around
us. Those who had no value in this culture are seen and have value! The dead are being brought back to life! The
Good News is being preached to the poor-those who know they are sinners and looking for their Savior.
Imagine John’s response as his disciples return and give him Jesus’ answer. Did he hear he would be saved from
that dungeon and death sentence? No he didn’t and he wasn’t. But what did he hear? Death has no more power and
My kingdom is being established and it’s beyond this world. I imagine that must have put a smile on his face too-
even knowing what lie ahead- ohh so this is what your kingdom is about. Now I get it and I will stand in faith, for I
know without a doubt You are the One and You are My Savior!
God won’t always rescue us from our persecution either, but He is with us through it all. He never leaves us and our
steadfast faith brings glory to His great name and makes His kingdom known. His light shines in the darkness for
all to see. Our reward for faithfulness far outweighs our momentary troubles here on earth-when we keep this
perspective. He is in motion and He is for you-always.
Once John started listening for God’s responses regarding eternal matters, his faith was strengthened and doubting
diminished. He knew there was nothing anyone could to do him that would take away all God had for him, and he
knew in Jesus’ response He had not forgotten him or all the work John did to prepare the way. He saw and John was
valued. You and I are always seen by our Father and Savior. We do not go unnoticed and we are always valued.
Jesus is not silent in our lives-it might be we have just been listening for the wrong answers.
3. GREAT is Your Reward in Heaven!
I want you to imagine Jesus’ face as He gave His answer to the disciples who would report back to John-He must
have been smiling because He knows how amazing it is-He created it!
The queen who schemed to wrongly sentence John thought she had won and had power over John. But her power
couldn’t hold a candle to the power of God already in motion. Let us remember that when we feel like our enemies
think they are winning and if they are rejoicing when we fall- Christ has the victory and He truly is our Savior.
We can trust in Him, no matter the outcome, our reward will be great as we remain faithful.
Psalm 13: 4-5 4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Jesus’ final words in this teaching of the beatitudes:
Matthew 5: 11-12 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We can rejoice in these hard times we face, why? Because we have a glimpse of our eternal future through the
Apostle John.
He was given this glimpse of everything Jesus was teaching back on the sermon on the Mount-in his older
years, long after his brothers had gone and he was alone, exiled on an island. Jesus spoke to him and
showed him what was yet to come. The great reward is real and worth all we endure in this life. He
showed John our true home, the one our heart longs for.
Revelation 21: 1-5 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed
away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and
God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
The path of persecution can feel hard and lonely, but we must remember as we remain faithful to God and His
ways, we are shining the light of truth and love in this world; we are bringing glory to His great name and our
reward in heaven will be great! One day all will be made right and there will be no more sorrow and God Himself
will wipe every tear from our face. His hands will hold our face and all will be made new! This is our hope we cling
to! This is the reward-entering and receiving a personal invitation to join God in His kingdom.
Not all will take this path. Not all will receive this invitation. Some will bow out when it gets hard, but I want to
encourage all of us- stay on the path, choose the narrow road for it leads to life eternal.
Matthew 7: 13-14 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to
destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a
few find it.
Let us be the ones who find it and in faith walk along it. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness (that means you are living a faithful life and staying true to God) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Let us trust our God, our Father, our Lord and our Savior.
Conclusion: May we enter the narrow gate and find life everlasting in Christ. May we stand firm in our faith,
knowing even when others come against us, our God is always for us, always in motion, and working all things for
good and to the glory of His great name! Rejoice and be glad for great is our reward in Heaven!
Let’s pray:
Offering:
Announcements: Go Team mtg tonight at 7:30, Communion next week-no potluck. 14 th still need 2 more people
willing to help with their testimonies, 21 st intern coming from City Church to preach, 28 th worship in the park. Lots
of fun and learning throughout July!
Prayers:
Bday’s: Brittany Sugden 7/3, Remembering Delbert 7/4
Final Song-it’s new for most and it is a beautiful summary of the beatitudes we have been looking at and a cry from
our heart to ask God to lead us as our Lord. Take it in and let your heart respond in faith.
Final Blessing: Take from Psalm 29 11 The LORD give you strength; the LORD bless you with peace. The Lord’s grace
go ever before you.
