Matthew 5 3 8 NASB 3 Blessed are

Matthew 5: 3 -8 (NASB) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Insults Harassment Beat self up Discrimination Rejection Put-downs Snubs

Matthew 5: 10 -12 (NASB) 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Parameters: 1. Righteousness: Right relationships with God and others based on God’s standards (Not our own standards) being satisfied by Jesus Christ and having been received as gift by us. 2. Connection to Jesus: “because of Me”

2 Timothy 3: 12 (NASB) 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 1 Peter 3: 17 (NASB) 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. Genesis 1: 27 (NASB) 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

How to Respond When in the Midst of Persecution 1. Exemplify Integrity Galatians 6: 12 (NASB) 12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Integrity: Continue to do right even if it cost you and no one else will join you.

How to Respond When in the Midst of Persecution 2. Endure persecution patiently 1 Corinthians 4: 12 (NASB) 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

2 Thessalonians 1: 3 -4 (NASB) 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

James 1: 2 -4 (NASB) 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Romans 8: 18 (NASB) 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

How to Respond When in the Midst of Persecution 3. Exchange hatred with God’s joy Romans 12: 14 (NASB) 14 Bless those who curse. persecute you; bless and do not

How to Respond When in the Midst of Persecution 4. Excel in Faith 2 Corinthians 12: 10 (NASB) 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.