The Beatitudes Sermon Series Sermon 8 of 8

The Beatitudes Sermon Series Sermon 8 of 8 Matthew 5: 10 – 12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION? Christian persecution is any hostility experienced from the world as a result of one's identification as a Christian.

Billy Graham

3 Areas 1) THE PAST 2) NOW 3) THE CHURCH

WHERE DOES CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION OCCUR? The World Watch List ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the greatest persecution.

North Korea , Iraq , Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan Iran, Libya, Yemen, Nigeria, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Kenya India, Ethiopia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Qatar, Egypt, Myanmar, Oman Palestinian Territories, Brunei, Central African Republic, Jordan, Djibouti Laos, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, China, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh Tanzania, Algeria, Bhutan, Comoros, Mexico, Kuwait, Kazakhstan Indonesia, Mali, Turkey, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Niger

WHY PERSECUTION OCCURS: • AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENTS SEEK TO CONTROL ALL RELIGIOUS THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION • HOSTILITY TOWARDS NONTRADITIONAL AND MINORITY RELIGIOUS GROUPS

6 PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION 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.

1) Sometimes you need to build yourself a cell Be still, and know that I am God Psalms 46: 10 2) God keeps secrets “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55: 8 -9

3) Weakness is a direct path to power That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong 2 Corinthians 12: 10 4) Overcoming is greater than deliverance Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 21

5) Extreme hurt requires extreme forgiveness And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. " And they cast lots to divide his garments Luke 23: 34 6) Prayer is the ultimate fellowship Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if yourselves were suffering Hebrews 13: 3

3) THE CHURCH • Made Fun Of • Shunned While Others Are Appeased • Politics (Militant Christianity) • KILLED Matthew 26 Will you Stand With God or Fold Under the Pressure? Will you Succumb to Hate or Will You Forgive Those That Hate You? Will you Allow God to Fight the Battle?