1 00:00:00,430 --> 00:00:01,410 Upside Down Blessing. 2 00:00:02,280 --> 00:00:07,280 Uh, we are wrapping up today our last of our series of the Upside Down Blessings. 3 00:00:08,100 --> 00:00:10,279 And if you weren't here for the last several weeks, what 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:11,610 are the Upside Down Blessings? 5 00:00:11,959 --> 00:00:14,020 We're actually talking about the Beatitudes. 6 00:00:14,370 --> 00:00:18,139 Probably the most famous sermon ever given by Jesus. 7 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:20,240 What was that sermon? 8 00:00:20,240 --> 00:00:20,810 It was this. 9 00:00:20,819 --> 00:00:23,880 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 10 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:26,699 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 11 00:00:27,429 --> 00:00:29,340 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 12 00:00:30,270 --> 00:00:33,340 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they 13 00:00:33,340 --> 00:00:35,370 will be shown, for they will be filled. 14 00:00:35,770 --> 00:00:38,190 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 15 00:00:38,790 --> 00:00:41,090 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 16 00:00:41,660 --> 00:00:44,710 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 17 00:00:46,379 --> 00:00:47,890 All of this we've been covering. 18 00:00:49,180 --> 00:00:52,780 And you see this, and it's like, that's an amazing life to live. 19 00:00:53,470 --> 00:00:57,580 And what it's actually defining, for us, is our character and actions. 20 00:00:58,675 --> 00:01:02,265 The blessings that come from having a character and living 21 00:01:02,265 --> 00:01:04,394 a life that demonstrates this. 22 00:01:06,255 --> 00:01:08,765 But this is not where the Beatitudes end. 23 00:01:10,075 --> 00:01:14,884 Because the next part of the blessing, of the upside down blessing, deals with 24 00:01:14,894 --> 00:01:20,024 the blessing that will come from the world's response from living like this. 25 00:01:20,774 --> 00:01:24,804 You think, well what's going to be the world's response for living this way? 26 00:01:26,425 --> 00:01:28,630 Well, It's this. 27 00:01:29,699 --> 00:01:33,869 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for 28 00:01:33,869 --> 00:01:35,070 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 29 00:01:36,119 --> 00:01:40,999 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all 30 00:01:40,999 --> 00:01:43,699 kinds of evil against you because of me. 31 00:01:44,969 --> 00:01:49,270 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in 32 00:01:49,270 --> 00:01:52,429 the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 33 00:01:54,050 --> 00:02:00,619 If you live this way, God says, or Jesus says, you're blessed. 34 00:02:01,869 --> 00:02:02,949 The upside down blessing. 35 00:02:03,690 --> 00:02:04,889 That doesn't make sense. 36 00:02:05,679 --> 00:02:09,749 Because when I read those qualities, a peacemaker, someone who's, who's in 37 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:13,330 mourning, someone who's meek, I don't think, yeah, I want to get that guy. 38 00:02:14,239 --> 00:02:15,639 That's the guy I want to go after. 39 00:02:15,640 --> 00:02:17,500 That's the person I want to persecute. 40 00:02:19,630 --> 00:02:20,710 But that's what the world will do. 41 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:23,869 And not only will they do it, they've done it before. 42 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:25,410 To the prophets of old. 43 00:02:27,020 --> 00:02:28,370 So let's dive into this. 44 00:02:29,230 --> 00:02:33,000 Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness for the kingdom of heaven. 45 00:02:33,620 --> 00:02:38,240 Now, we're using a word here that is kind of a churchy word, persecuted. 46 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:40,860 And so I wanted to find it for us. 47 00:02:41,450 --> 00:02:44,168 But because it's a churchy word and people don't often times use it 48 00:02:44,180 --> 00:02:47,990 outside of a church context, I think it's sometimes helpful for a word 49 00:02:47,990 --> 00:02:50,829 that we're familiar with but we don't often times know the full definition. 50 00:02:51,385 --> 00:02:53,585 to kind of unpack it a little bit and here's why. 51 00:02:53,895 --> 00:02:55,865 I want to first go with what it's not. 52 00:02:56,295 --> 00:02:58,645 Because sometimes we can have the feeling, like, I know what that word 53 00:02:58,645 --> 00:03:00,695 means, so let me go with what it's not. 54 00:03:01,034 --> 00:03:04,274 And I think this will help us to better align ourselves with 55 00:03:04,275 --> 00:03:06,525 what persecution really is. 56 00:03:07,305 --> 00:03:09,684 So, what persecution is not? 57 00:03:10,525 --> 00:03:12,855 It is not secularization. 58 00:03:13,965 --> 00:03:20,015 It is not the removal of religious values, institutions, ideology from society. 59 00:03:21,255 --> 00:03:27,995 Now, it can feel oppressive sometimes when a society becomes more secularized, but 60 00:03:27,995 --> 00:03:29,425 that doesn't mean we're being persecuted. 61 00:03:29,454 --> 00:03:33,085 Now, there are some groups who will use secularization to persecute, but that 62 00:03:33,085 --> 00:03:34,664 doesn't mean it's directly persecution. 63 00:03:35,184 --> 00:03:38,105 So, I don't want you to get offended this Christmas when someone says, 64 00:03:38,105 --> 00:03:41,434 Happy Holidays, and you're like, It's Merry Christmas, I'm being persecuted. 65 00:03:41,684 --> 00:03:43,904 No, that's not persecution. 66 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:49,700 Persecution is not also, in that vein, aligning ourselves with some kind 67 00:03:49,700 --> 00:03:52,350 of political ideology inexplicably. 68 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:57,030 And we say, because of this political ideology, if you attack 69 00:03:57,039 --> 00:03:59,739 my political ideology, you're persecuting me for my faith. 70 00:04:00,330 --> 00:04:00,860 No. 71 00:04:01,470 --> 00:04:03,310 They're not persecuting you for your faith. 72 00:04:03,970 --> 00:04:07,750 They probably don't like your political ideology, but that's not what persecution 73 00:04:07,750 --> 00:04:09,160 here that Jesus is talking about. 74 00:04:10,450 --> 00:04:13,400 And in that vein, persecution is not when you browbeat. 75 00:04:13,735 --> 00:04:17,315 and humiliate and, and share your faith in a way that spites people. 76 00:04:18,485 --> 00:04:21,524 That's also, and their response to that is also not persecution. 77 00:04:21,954 --> 00:04:27,375 The Bible says speak the love, speak truth in love, not speak truth in spite. 78 00:04:27,985 --> 00:04:31,544 So if, if your response to people and sharing your faith is over 79 00:04:31,545 --> 00:04:36,695 the top and hurtful, and, and purposely hurtful, in a way that's 80 00:04:36,695 --> 00:04:39,275 not loving, well, their response may not necessarily be persecution. 81 00:04:40,895 --> 00:04:43,665 It's also, not if someone just unfollows you. 82 00:04:44,705 --> 00:04:46,845 Because you're kind of being weird on social media. 83 00:04:47,925 --> 00:04:49,655 That's also not persecution. 84 00:04:50,775 --> 00:04:52,085 I want to make sure that's clear. 85 00:04:52,784 --> 00:04:54,245 Stop being weird on social media. 86 00:04:56,624 --> 00:05:01,274 If the world calls out you're hypocrite, that's not persecution. 87 00:05:01,984 --> 00:05:03,054 Stop being a hypocrite. 88 00:05:03,635 --> 00:05:05,054 They're just calling you out. 89 00:05:05,775 --> 00:05:07,835 That just means that I need to take a better look at myself and 90 00:05:07,835 --> 00:05:10,795 my beliefs and go, Man, maybe I need to think of some things and 91 00:05:10,795 --> 00:05:12,534 figure out some areas and repent. 92 00:05:13,455 --> 00:05:17,815 And in that regard, persecution is not when a brother or sister helps 93 00:05:17,835 --> 00:05:23,405 correct you or even rebukes you in love to help draw you back in your faith. 94 00:05:24,014 --> 00:05:26,105 They're doing so out of love. 95 00:05:27,284 --> 00:05:27,945 That's helpful. 96 00:05:27,945 --> 00:05:29,245 In fact, you should thank them. 97 00:05:29,805 --> 00:05:35,384 Because they are trying in the best form they can to help you better 98 00:05:35,384 --> 00:05:37,014 align yourself with God's Word. 99 00:05:38,424 --> 00:05:41,405 And finally, persecution is not just general suffering. 100 00:05:42,354 --> 00:05:46,444 If you're going through a tough season in your life, I understand that. 101 00:05:47,104 --> 00:05:48,694 But that doesn't mean you're being persecuted. 102 00:05:48,734 --> 00:05:50,494 It just means that you're going through a tough season. 103 00:05:51,564 --> 00:05:53,574 So, this is what persecution is not. 104 00:05:54,204 --> 00:05:55,824 So then, what is persecution? 105 00:05:56,525 --> 00:05:59,424 In the Greek, it actually used the word like chase or pursue. 106 00:05:59,754 --> 00:06:03,014 It's the idea of pursuing somebody with repeated acts of hostility. 107 00:06:03,984 --> 00:06:05,945 That's what persecution is. 108 00:06:06,674 --> 00:06:08,145 So Jesus outlined some of them. 109 00:06:08,145 --> 00:06:09,455 Verbal threats and slander. 110 00:06:09,724 --> 00:06:10,784 That's persecution. 111 00:06:12,034 --> 00:06:14,344 Oppression for the sake of Christ. 112 00:06:15,424 --> 00:06:16,104 Persecution. 113 00:06:17,015 --> 00:06:19,914 If you're rejected or ostracized because of your faith. 114 00:06:20,454 --> 00:06:21,164 Persecution. 115 00:06:21,784 --> 00:06:25,294 If you are suffering physical harm, even unto death. 116 00:06:26,164 --> 00:06:27,085 That's persecution. 117 00:06:28,375 --> 00:06:30,474 But it has to be for the sake of Christ. 118 00:06:32,060 --> 00:06:34,700 In 1 Peter 4 it talks about if you're persecuted because you're a 119 00:06:34,700 --> 00:06:38,170 thief, a murderer, or even just a meddler, that's not real persecution. 120 00:06:39,159 --> 00:06:41,980 It's gotta be for the sake of Christ. 121 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:45,390 Now this is hard to hear. 122 00:06:46,339 --> 00:06:50,490 And this last weekend, I spent a lot of time, uh, almost 3 4 hours 123 00:06:50,490 --> 00:06:51,860 just reading about persecution. 124 00:06:52,890 --> 00:06:55,900 From the past, our old prophets, even to today. 125 00:06:57,174 --> 00:06:59,194 And this was a heavy thing for me, to be honest. 126 00:06:59,304 --> 00:07:03,074 It really, you know, my wife looked at me and was like, Man, you feel sad? 127 00:07:03,074 --> 00:07:05,994 I'm like, I feel sad, reading about some of this stuff. 128 00:07:06,844 --> 00:07:08,004 Because it's hard to hear. 129 00:07:09,205 --> 00:07:10,624 But it was also really enlightening. 130 00:07:11,914 --> 00:07:13,614 Let me give you a different perspective here. 131 00:07:14,114 --> 00:07:15,944 I was baptized in 1994. 132 00:07:15,965 --> 00:07:17,155 That's when I became a Christian. 133 00:07:17,364 --> 00:07:19,085 And there's an organization called Open Doors. 134 00:07:19,094 --> 00:07:23,004 And Open Doors tracks countries based upon the level of persecution for 135 00:07:23,004 --> 00:07:24,884 people who profess the name of the Lord. 136 00:07:25,344 --> 00:07:26,065 of our Jesus. 137 00:07:26,145 --> 00:07:27,284 That's who they follow. 138 00:07:27,474 --> 00:07:31,474 Is if you're in an area where you live in a country where you're professing 139 00:07:31,474 --> 00:07:35,504 to believe in Jesus, they track is you know, is it a high, very high, 140 00:07:35,504 --> 00:07:37,354 or extreme levels of persecution. 141 00:07:38,244 --> 00:07:41,504 Now I also know looking in this room not all of us have geography majors so 142 00:07:41,505 --> 00:07:42,775 I just want to remind us where we are. 143 00:07:44,705 --> 00:07:45,605 Just in case. 144 00:07:47,435 --> 00:07:50,045 I know, I'm here for you, I understand this. 145 00:07:50,165 --> 00:07:54,475 But notice in 1994 when I was baptized, all the persecution was over there. 146 00:07:55,825 --> 00:07:56,595 That's where I was. 147 00:07:57,365 --> 00:07:59,065 Far removed from where I'm at. 148 00:08:00,835 --> 00:08:05,555 And there's 40 nations that were on this list in Open Doors in 1994. 149 00:08:06,245 --> 00:08:09,875 In 2023 it's now 76 nations. 150 00:08:10,594 --> 00:08:12,695 Almost doubled since I became a Christian. 151 00:08:13,475 --> 00:08:15,965 And notice, it's starting to come to our shores. 152 00:08:17,245 --> 00:08:17,655 It's coming. 153 00:08:18,615 --> 00:08:21,515 It's more than doubled in the time I've been a Christian. 154 00:08:22,390 --> 00:08:24,700 Where will it be in another 30 years? 155 00:08:26,050 --> 00:08:27,570 Persecution will come. 156 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,450 And when I say persecution, what am I meaning? 157 00:08:30,459 --> 00:08:36,450 492 people every month are killed for their belief in Jesus. 158 00:08:37,110 --> 00:08:38,849 Every month in the world. 159 00:08:39,558 --> 00:08:45,380 214 churches are burned or destroyed every month around the world. 160 00:08:46,710 --> 00:08:50,050 And 772 forms of violence are committed against people. 161 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:54,180 who profess to be believers around the world, and that includes raped, 162 00:08:54,400 --> 00:09:00,960 forced marriages, acid thrown on their face, tortured, and abused every month. 163 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:03,739 And that's what I spent a reading about. 164 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:06,970 And I was like, man, that is heavy. 165 00:09:07,829 --> 00:09:09,089 That is heavy on a Sunday. 166 00:09:10,619 --> 00:09:12,349 And yet, this is our reality. 167 00:09:12,929 --> 00:09:15,469 This is the reality of Christians all over the world. 168 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,529 It may not feel like this for us here in a public school. 169 00:09:19,449 --> 00:09:21,150 But around the world, this is unique. 170 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:24,819 This is what it looks like around the world. 171 00:09:25,689 --> 00:09:27,150 This is a church that's been bombed. 172 00:09:29,189 --> 00:09:31,060 These are the deaths because of it. 173 00:09:34,930 --> 00:09:38,430 These are the protests happening around the world where people have to walk 174 00:09:38,430 --> 00:09:41,410 around with signs saying Stop Killing Us. 175 00:09:43,260 --> 00:09:43,770 Why? 176 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:44,949 Because they're being killed. 177 00:09:47,030 --> 00:09:47,410 Today. 178 00:09:48,329 --> 00:09:52,710 In fact, there are more people dying for the profession of faith today 179 00:09:52,830 --> 00:09:54,620 than at any time in our human history. 180 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:55,620 Today. 181 00:09:56,939 --> 00:09:58,470 It's just happening someplace else. 182 00:09:59,460 --> 00:10:01,780 And so we don't always perceive it. 183 00:10:02,410 --> 00:10:03,699 We don't always think about it. 184 00:10:04,179 --> 00:10:06,849 Because we're far removed from this type of persecution. 185 00:10:07,019 --> 00:10:09,009 That doesn't mean we don't suffer our own persecution. 186 00:10:09,989 --> 00:10:11,680 But this is hard for us to grasp. 187 00:10:12,580 --> 00:10:13,439 But this is real. 188 00:10:14,970 --> 00:10:17,779 And it's today, and it's happening someplace. 189 00:10:21,270 --> 00:10:26,410 Paul will say to this in his letter to Timothy, indeed all who 190 00:10:26,410 --> 00:10:29,610 desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 191 00:10:29,860 --> 00:10:35,350 All, every one of us who desires to live this life will be persecuted. 192 00:10:37,199 --> 00:10:39,180 Now why is Paul saying this? 193 00:10:40,455 --> 00:10:42,425 Paul's saying this for a few reasons, I believe. 194 00:10:42,695 --> 00:10:46,795 One, Paul was a Pharisee amongst Pharisees. 195 00:10:46,925 --> 00:10:49,025 He was someone who knew Biblical history. 196 00:10:49,214 --> 00:10:52,745 And if you go back in Biblical history, it's been this way since the beginning. 197 00:10:54,384 --> 00:10:56,605 In the very beginning, Adam and Eve had two sons. 198 00:10:57,485 --> 00:10:58,444 Cain and Abel. 199 00:10:59,494 --> 00:11:04,015 Both sacrificed to God, except Abel's sacrifice was more righteous. 200 00:11:04,275 --> 00:11:05,825 Because it was the first fruits. 201 00:11:06,865 --> 00:11:07,665 And that's all he did. 202 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:12,070 He just gave more out of a heart that just said, I just want to, 203 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:13,390 I just want to give to you God. 204 00:11:13,530 --> 00:11:16,100 And the response of Cain was to kill his own brother. 205 00:11:17,730 --> 00:11:21,729 Persecution has been with us since the beginning for people who want 206 00:11:21,730 --> 00:11:24,860 to follow Christ, who want to devote their lives to Christ, who wanted 207 00:11:24,860 --> 00:11:26,300 to give their everything to God. 208 00:11:27,020 --> 00:11:28,339 It's been this way since the beginning. 209 00:11:29,369 --> 00:11:31,770 And the other reason why I think Paul is so confident when he says 210 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:35,610 all will suffer persecution because he also knows the words of Jesus. 211 00:11:36,660 --> 00:11:40,480 And Jesus says this in John 15 verse 18 to 20. 212 00:11:41,340 --> 00:11:45,840 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 213 00:11:46,550 --> 00:11:49,620 If you belong to the world, it will love you as its own. 214 00:11:50,449 --> 00:11:54,380 As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 215 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:56,970 That is why the world hates you. 216 00:11:58,070 --> 00:12:01,640 Remember what I told you, a servant is not greater than his master. 217 00:12:02,380 --> 00:12:06,410 If they persecute me, They will persecute you also. 218 00:12:07,660 --> 00:12:08,980 Paul knew Jesus words. 219 00:12:09,860 --> 00:12:15,809 If they persecuted me, we follow a Lord in Christ who went to the cross and he 220 00:12:15,810 --> 00:12:17,710 tells us to take up our cross daily. 221 00:12:18,919 --> 00:12:20,619 Be willing to be persecuted. 222 00:12:23,410 --> 00:12:24,860 He knew Jesus words. 223 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:28,839 And why are we being persecuted? 224 00:12:29,900 --> 00:12:30,720 For living this way. 225 00:12:32,369 --> 00:12:35,699 As a Christian, if we want to be poor in spirit, meek, hunger and thirst 226 00:12:35,699 --> 00:12:38,839 for righteousness, merciful, we will be persecuted, living this way. 227 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:40,119 And how do I know this? 228 00:12:40,159 --> 00:12:42,800 Because this describes Jesus. 229 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:48,719 Poor in spirit, was anyone more humble than Jesus to God? 230 00:12:49,560 --> 00:12:53,589 Morning, Isaiah responds to the Messiah, he says, he will be a man of sorrows. 231 00:12:54,729 --> 00:12:58,819 Certainly, he was meek in a controlled, submissive way, and certainly 232 00:12:58,819 --> 00:13:00,329 in submission to us and to God. 233 00:13:00,649 --> 00:13:02,849 He hungered and thirsted for righteousness. 234 00:13:03,810 --> 00:13:09,369 He was merciful, pure, and was there any more of a sight of a peacemaker than one 235 00:13:09,369 --> 00:13:11,949 who dies for us to give us peace with God? 236 00:13:12,879 --> 00:13:17,379 Jesus lived this out, and the world hated him for it. 237 00:13:19,499 --> 00:13:21,300 And I was thinking, when I look at these qualities, I 238 00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:23,169 think, why does the world hate? 239 00:13:23,734 --> 00:13:24,374 This. 240 00:13:24,724 --> 00:13:25,734 So much. 241 00:13:26,734 --> 00:13:27,274 Why? 242 00:13:28,974 --> 00:13:31,074 I had to go back to God's Word and to Jesus. 243 00:13:32,064 --> 00:13:35,834 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into light 244 00:13:35,834 --> 00:13:37,914 for fear their deeds will be exposed. 245 00:13:39,185 --> 00:13:44,084 When you live a life that is righteous, that emulates the qualities 246 00:13:44,085 --> 00:13:47,644 of Jesus, you expose the world. 247 00:13:49,454 --> 00:13:50,794 That's what a righteous life does. 248 00:13:51,544 --> 00:13:52,734 Exposes the world. 249 00:13:52,904 --> 00:13:56,314 If you're merciful, you expose the world's malevolence. 250 00:13:57,814 --> 00:14:00,794 If you demonstrate chastity, you show the world's immorality. 251 00:14:01,874 --> 00:14:03,724 If you're trying to live a life that says, you know what, I'm going 252 00:14:03,724 --> 00:14:06,414 to wait till marriage to have sex. 253 00:14:07,404 --> 00:14:09,144 Because I want to be chaste, I want to be pure. 254 00:14:09,474 --> 00:14:10,814 See what the world will say about that. 255 00:14:12,734 --> 00:14:17,224 If you want to show diligence in life, you'll expose the world's laziness. 256 00:14:20,005 --> 00:14:21,935 If you are brave for God. 257 00:14:22,515 --> 00:14:24,035 If you show the world's caroling ness. 258 00:14:24,985 --> 00:14:28,395 If you demonstrate self control, you show its self indulgence. 259 00:14:29,745 --> 00:14:32,405 And if you are humble, you show the world's pride. 260 00:14:33,344 --> 00:14:34,235 You expose it. 261 00:14:36,844 --> 00:14:39,115 And the world hates to be exposed. 262 00:14:42,574 --> 00:14:46,425 Jesus goes on in Luke to kind of further explain this ideology, and I'll, I'll 263 00:14:46,754 --> 00:14:48,114 I'll unpack this for you a little bit. 264 00:14:48,114 --> 00:14:49,814 It says no one can serve two masters. 265 00:14:50,094 --> 00:14:52,935 Either you'll hate the one and love the others, or you'll be devoted 266 00:14:52,935 --> 00:14:54,254 to one and despise the other. 267 00:14:54,254 --> 00:14:55,775 You cannot serve both God and money. 268 00:14:56,685 --> 00:15:00,564 The Pharisees who loved money heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 269 00:15:00,564 --> 00:15:03,124 Notice, instantly, the persecution's coming. 270 00:15:03,124 --> 00:15:05,645 They're sneering at Jesus for this statement. 271 00:15:07,285 --> 00:15:12,574 Jesus says to them, You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes 272 00:15:12,574 --> 00:15:14,295 of others, but God knows your heart. 273 00:15:15,195 --> 00:15:17,765 What people value highly is detestable in God's sight. 274 00:15:19,005 --> 00:15:23,035 In order to justify ourselves in the world, they will persecute you. 275 00:15:24,125 --> 00:15:27,315 Because if you expose their self indulgence, if you expose their 276 00:15:27,325 --> 00:15:36,315 cowardliness, if you expose their pride, just by living a godly life, to justify 277 00:15:36,315 --> 00:15:37,715 themselves, they will persecute you. 278 00:15:38,515 --> 00:15:39,385 How do I know this? 279 00:15:39,665 --> 00:15:41,045 Because they persecuted Jesus for it. 280 00:15:42,255 --> 00:15:43,294 Just for living the life. 281 00:15:46,255 --> 00:15:48,785 Which means we cannot be people who hide. 282 00:15:49,995 --> 00:15:51,945 We cannot put our light under the bushel. 283 00:15:52,925 --> 00:15:53,654 We can't do it. 284 00:15:54,595 --> 00:15:57,095 We have to be willing to expose the world. 285 00:15:57,104 --> 00:15:58,935 We have to be willing to bring the light. 286 00:15:59,604 --> 00:16:01,255 And that just means living the life. 287 00:16:02,235 --> 00:16:03,455 We have to be willing to. 288 00:16:04,135 --> 00:16:06,365 Because I know the temptation, because I feel it too. 289 00:16:06,575 --> 00:16:08,415 The last thing I want is people to hate me. 290 00:16:09,295 --> 00:16:09,845 I don't want it. 291 00:16:10,885 --> 00:16:11,575 I really don't. 292 00:16:12,610 --> 00:16:15,090 And I know when people say stuff to me, there's times where I feel like 293 00:16:15,090 --> 00:16:19,520 I want to give an answer that will get me out of the situation, that 294 00:16:19,699 --> 00:16:22,920 they'll think more highly of me than actually to speak the truth and love. 295 00:16:24,989 --> 00:16:26,770 We cannot hide our lights. 296 00:16:28,159 --> 00:16:32,800 Because if we do, God says, I'll raise up rocks and stones to preach for 297 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,970 me if you're going to cast me aside. 298 00:16:38,659 --> 00:16:42,860 Through many tribulations, We must enter the kingdom of God. 299 00:16:44,540 --> 00:16:48,720 If you want to enter the kingdom of God, it will be through many tribulations. 300 00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:52,400 It's a promise of God. 301 00:16:52,699 --> 00:16:54,040 We love promises of God. 302 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:56,160 There's books about promises of God. 303 00:16:57,189 --> 00:16:57,679 Here's one. 304 00:16:58,710 --> 00:17:00,490 It's funny how you never see this one in any of the other 305 00:17:00,490 --> 00:17:01,930 promises books in the Bible. 306 00:17:01,930 --> 00:17:04,630 You know, when people write these promises of God, you're going to be persecuted. 307 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:06,200 Promise one, mm, I don't like that one. 308 00:17:06,650 --> 00:17:08,010 Let me get a different promise of God. 309 00:17:08,010 --> 00:17:08,800 I don't like this promise. 310 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:12,980 But it'll be through many tribulations we'll enter the God's kingdom. 311 00:17:14,829 --> 00:17:15,858 So what's our reply? 312 00:17:16,398 --> 00:17:18,469 What is our response to all of this? 313 00:17:19,499 --> 00:17:20,689 Here on this Sunday morning. 314 00:17:21,368 --> 00:17:22,719 What should we do with this? 315 00:17:25,950 --> 00:17:30,100 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for 316 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:31,240 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 317 00:17:31,899 --> 00:17:35,000 Blessed are those who people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all 318 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:36,850 kinds of evil against you because of me. 319 00:17:37,530 --> 00:17:38,540 Rejoice! 320 00:17:38,540 --> 00:17:40,159 And be glad! 321 00:17:41,785 --> 00:17:43,115 I don't hear a lot of rejoicing me laddie. 322 00:17:44,965 --> 00:17:46,755 I know, exactly. 323 00:17:46,855 --> 00:17:48,585 It doesn't even feel like those words should be there. 324 00:17:48,805 --> 00:17:49,994 Feels like that's a mistype. 325 00:17:51,365 --> 00:17:51,964 I knew it. 326 00:17:52,645 --> 00:17:53,675 Someone messed this up. 327 00:17:53,685 --> 00:17:55,585 No, we're to rejoice and be glad. 328 00:17:56,915 --> 00:17:57,615 Why? 329 00:17:58,474 --> 00:18:01,485 Because great is your reward in heaven. 330 00:18:02,175 --> 00:18:03,185 The upside down blessing. 331 00:18:04,075 --> 00:18:06,215 Because great is your reward in heaven. 332 00:18:08,255 --> 00:18:09,494 Now, I'm going to be honest. 333 00:18:09,705 --> 00:18:10,935 I don't even know what that means. 334 00:18:12,525 --> 00:18:12,885 I don't. 335 00:18:13,935 --> 00:18:15,085 But I know what Peter says. 336 00:18:15,825 --> 00:18:18,535 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on 337 00:18:18,535 --> 00:18:21,335 you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 338 00:18:21,574 --> 00:18:25,035 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of 339 00:18:25,035 --> 00:18:29,025 Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 340 00:18:29,734 --> 00:18:34,254 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the 341 00:18:34,254 --> 00:18:38,074 spirit of glory of God rests on you. 342 00:18:39,644 --> 00:18:40,864 God's Spirit. 343 00:18:41,465 --> 00:18:44,695 will be with you when you are persecuted. 344 00:18:45,455 --> 00:18:47,524 It will rest upon you. 345 00:18:49,465 --> 00:18:55,125 Rejoice and be glad because as we glory in the suffering that 346 00:18:55,134 --> 00:18:59,974 suffering produces endurance and that endurance builds character 347 00:19:00,514 --> 00:19:02,404 and that character produces hope. 348 00:19:03,204 --> 00:19:05,754 It's amazing how we want to grow in our character but we don't want to suffer. 349 00:19:06,534 --> 00:19:09,244 We want to grow in more hope but we don't want to suffer. 350 00:19:09,780 --> 00:19:11,660 And yet suffering produces this. 351 00:19:12,370 --> 00:19:13,730 That's why we glory in it. 352 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:16,530 We want to skip. 353 00:19:18,059 --> 00:19:23,150 But if you want to develop a faith that works when life doesn't, 354 00:19:24,380 --> 00:19:25,599 you must glory in the suffering. 355 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:28,640 Because that will increase your faith. 356 00:19:29,580 --> 00:19:32,500 It will strengthen who you are. 357 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:36,150 There's also something I learned recently in this. 358 00:19:37,070 --> 00:19:39,700 When I looked at this, rejoice and be glad because this, because 359 00:19:39,710 --> 00:19:40,980 great is your reward in heaven. 360 00:19:41,170 --> 00:19:42,720 I thought heaven was the reward. 361 00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:45,910 But great is your reward in heaven. 362 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:47,350 That means there's an extra reward in heaven. 363 00:19:47,420 --> 00:19:48,560 I don't even know what that means. 364 00:19:48,710 --> 00:19:52,030 In Greek, this is the only time this is mentioned, by the way. 365 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:54,680 In the New Testament, this is the only time this phrase is 366 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:55,640 mentioned in the New Testament. 367 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,890 And again, I looked at this and I'm like, what's the extra reward? 368 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:00,720 Do I get, like, an extra house? 369 00:20:00,740 --> 00:20:01,630 Like, what does it mean? 370 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:04,070 Is there, like, my own golf course? 371 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:04,800 Like, what does it mean? 372 00:20:04,810 --> 00:20:06,600 Do I have to use the public golf course or do I get my own? 373 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:08,420 You know, what does this mean? 374 00:20:08,870 --> 00:20:10,140 And again, I don't know. 375 00:20:11,790 --> 00:20:15,789 But I know the reward that we get in heaven. 376 00:20:16,719 --> 00:20:17,969 Or I know the reward we get here. 377 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:19,440 And that's this reward. 378 00:20:19,770 --> 00:20:22,159 Philippians 3, 10 and 11. 379 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:23,080 This is what Paul says. 380 00:20:24,550 --> 00:20:25,329 Paul says this. 381 00:20:25,650 --> 00:20:27,300 I want to know Christ. 382 00:20:28,270 --> 00:20:30,410 Yes, to know the power of His resurrection. 383 00:20:31,070 --> 00:20:34,140 It's amazing how much we love to talk about the power of His resurrection. 384 00:20:34,330 --> 00:20:35,630 How amazing that is for our lives. 385 00:20:35,670 --> 00:20:37,280 I love the power of His resurrection. 386 00:20:38,349 --> 00:20:39,300 Oh, there's an and there. 387 00:20:40,470 --> 00:20:41,009 Dang it. 388 00:20:42,860 --> 00:20:47,309 Yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings. 389 00:20:48,649 --> 00:20:51,780 Becoming like Him in His death, so somehow attaining to the 390 00:20:51,780 --> 00:20:53,030 resurrection from the dead. 391 00:20:55,095 --> 00:20:58,675 To know Christ, if you really want to know Christ, you've got to know 392 00:20:58,675 --> 00:21:03,065 the power of his resurrection and the participation in his sufferings. 393 00:21:04,955 --> 00:21:07,645 This past summer, uh, I was in Rome. 394 00:21:08,894 --> 00:21:12,865 And being in Rome, you know, it sparked me to want to study out Paul a bit more. 395 00:21:14,255 --> 00:21:17,645 And if you study Paul's life, you see that this is not a theologian who's talking 396 00:21:17,645 --> 00:21:19,325 about persecution from the abstract. 397 00:21:20,165 --> 00:21:21,094 He's someone who lived it. 398 00:21:22,260 --> 00:21:23,120 He was imprisoned. 399 00:21:24,140 --> 00:21:25,590 He was flogged for his faith. 400 00:21:26,580 --> 00:21:28,080 Forty lashes minus one. 401 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:29,900 He suffered that five different times. 402 00:21:30,470 --> 00:21:32,060 He was beat with rods three times. 403 00:21:32,190 --> 00:21:33,080 He was stoned. 404 00:21:33,190 --> 00:21:35,420 He was shipwrecked three different times. 405 00:21:36,650 --> 00:21:38,790 He faced hardship for Christ. 406 00:21:39,619 --> 00:21:40,210 Many times. 407 00:21:40,210 --> 00:21:43,660 So when he's saying I want to know the participation of sufferings, he lived it. 408 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,570 And he lived it unto death. 409 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:52,495 When my wife and I were in Rome, we were at the very spot that 410 00:21:52,495 --> 00:21:54,074 they believe Paul was, was killed. 411 00:21:55,754 --> 00:21:57,445 And I stood there, and I prayed. 412 00:21:59,405 --> 00:22:01,295 Because I thought, would I be willing to be here too? 413 00:22:03,705 --> 00:22:05,885 Is this where I want my life to end up? 414 00:22:07,944 --> 00:22:10,094 And then I had to think, how much do I really want to know Christ? 415 00:22:12,065 --> 00:22:15,785 Because this is why Paul was so willing to walk to the end. 416 00:22:16,955 --> 00:22:20,395 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 417 00:22:22,220 --> 00:22:27,390 And I walked through the catacombs in Rome, where they put the martyrs. 418 00:22:28,410 --> 00:22:30,900 And I was asking about, you know, do they come, do they have church down 419 00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:31,850 here, do they have celebrations? 420 00:22:31,850 --> 00:22:35,870 And they said yes, they would always come and celebrate the day of the death. 421 00:22:37,310 --> 00:22:38,990 Because that's what they called their birthday. 422 00:22:40,460 --> 00:22:42,060 That was the birthday they celebrated. 423 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,380 The day they died and were united with Christ. 424 00:22:47,230 --> 00:22:49,120 That was the birthday they were so hopeful for. 425 00:22:50,110 --> 00:22:54,920 To be born anew, to know the power of the resurrection, and to receive 426 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:57,110 that great reward that was promised. 427 00:23:00,609 --> 00:23:03,279 For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before 428 00:23:03,279 --> 00:23:05,950 you, this is not new information. 429 00:23:07,070 --> 00:23:08,870 This has been going on since the beginning. 430 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,940 And if you read about the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, 431 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:24,070 Ezekiel, Daniel, Micah, Amos, what you'll read about is persecution. 432 00:23:25,830 --> 00:23:27,749 And many of them also died. 433 00:23:29,079 --> 00:23:31,989 And if you want to read about the Apostles life, what you'll read about? 434 00:23:32,749 --> 00:23:33,479 Persecution. 435 00:23:34,709 --> 00:23:37,790 And 11 out of 12 of them were also killed for their faith. 436 00:23:40,009 --> 00:23:41,699 Wow, this is a cheery Sunday morning. 437 00:23:44,270 --> 00:23:47,710 And yet we're to listen, read all this, and rejoice and be glad. 438 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:52,590 Because it's a promise that great will be our reward. 439 00:23:52,590 --> 00:23:56,050 Hebrews 11, 35 38. 440 00:23:56,340 --> 00:23:59,090 There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released. 441 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,299 And it's amazing that the Bible just said others. 442 00:24:03,700 --> 00:24:07,300 Who refused to be released, so they might gain an even better resurrection. 443 00:24:07,499 --> 00:24:08,689 Again, I don't know what that means. 444 00:24:08,959 --> 00:24:10,180 How do you get a better resurrection? 445 00:24:10,639 --> 00:24:11,420 Is there more lights? 446 00:24:11,470 --> 00:24:11,960 I don't know. 447 00:24:14,385 --> 00:24:16,745 Ears and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. 448 00:24:17,405 --> 00:24:19,525 They were put to death by stoning. 449 00:24:19,665 --> 00:24:20,905 They were sawed in two. 450 00:24:20,995 --> 00:24:21,835 They were killed by the sword. 451 00:24:22,385 --> 00:24:26,024 They went about sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated. 452 00:24:26,505 --> 00:24:30,295 The world was not worthy of them. 453 00:24:32,954 --> 00:24:33,864 How amazing would that be? 454 00:24:34,824 --> 00:24:38,595 We oftentimes think when we die, we want to see Jesus and Him to go, 455 00:24:38,775 --> 00:24:40,795 well done, good and faithful servant. 456 00:24:42,115 --> 00:24:45,605 How amazing would it be to see God at the end of our life and him to 457 00:24:45,605 --> 00:24:47,415 say the world was not worthy of you. 458 00:24:48,755 --> 00:24:49,625 I'm glad you're home. 459 00:24:52,054 --> 00:24:55,975 We are here such a short time, and we're there forever. 460 00:24:58,295 --> 00:24:59,455 This should motivate us. 461 00:25:00,275 --> 00:25:06,485 He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. 462 00:25:08,724 --> 00:25:11,495 Jim Elliott, another guy who died for his faith. 463 00:25:13,685 --> 00:25:18,535 I'll close out with a story from Daniel, from the Old Testament. 464 00:25:20,645 --> 00:25:24,535 Daniel chapter 3, three guys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 465 00:25:25,415 --> 00:25:27,045 Three Jewish people living in Babylon. 466 00:25:27,575 --> 00:25:30,395 And King Nebuchadnezzar was there, he oversaw it, and he said, No, 467 00:25:30,405 --> 00:25:34,705 we're gonna build a monument to me, and I want everyone to worship me. 468 00:25:36,595 --> 00:25:39,975 And then, during that time, these three guys said, Nope, we're not gonna do that. 469 00:25:41,370 --> 00:25:44,800 We're not gonna, we're not gonna, we're not gonna sacrifice our God for this idol. 470 00:25:45,030 --> 00:25:45,919 We're not gonna give it up. 471 00:25:46,950 --> 00:25:50,679 And King Nebuchadnezzar pulls him aside so angry at them that he 472 00:25:50,679 --> 00:25:55,550 throws them in a fire, bound to die. 473 00:25:55,949 --> 00:25:59,549 And the fire was so hot that the guards who put them in the fire, they died 474 00:25:59,589 --> 00:26:01,330 just being on the outside of the flames. 475 00:26:03,340 --> 00:26:05,590 And then King Nebuchadnezzar looked inside at those three 476 00:26:05,590 --> 00:26:07,429 men and says, Look what I see. 477 00:26:08,390 --> 00:26:12,460 There were three men thrown in the fire, bound and chained up. 478 00:26:13,070 --> 00:26:15,060 And now they're free and walking about. 479 00:26:15,330 --> 00:26:18,870 And there looks to be a fourth with them that looks like the son of the gods. 480 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:21,269 And he pulls them out. 481 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:27,879 And from their response he says, You, servants of the Most High God. 482 00:26:29,419 --> 00:26:34,339 The king went from seeing himself as God to recognizing they served the true God. 483 00:26:35,100 --> 00:26:36,290 But why do you see that? 484 00:26:36,630 --> 00:26:38,090 Because they were willing to walk in the fire. 485 00:26:39,890 --> 00:26:42,860 God never said He would not put us through the fire. 486 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:47,040 What He said was He'd be with us through it. 487 00:26:48,780 --> 00:26:51,670 He's gone before us and He'll be with us now. 488 00:26:52,510 --> 00:26:59,480 So as we get ready for communion I want you to consider this for the joy set 489 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:02,525 before Him, the joy Set before him. 490 00:27:02,665 --> 00:27:05,145 This was, he was not a victim of the cross. 491 00:27:06,165 --> 00:27:09,615 Just as a fireman's not a victim when he goes into the fire to save lives. 492 00:27:09,715 --> 00:27:10,535 They're not victims. 493 00:27:10,734 --> 00:27:11,834 Jesus was never a victim. 494 00:27:11,835 --> 00:27:12,915 We are not victims. 495 00:27:13,595 --> 00:27:16,845 For the joy set before us, he endured the cross, scorning its shame. 496 00:27:19,755 --> 00:27:24,435 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. 497 00:27:25,275 --> 00:27:26,475 For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 498 00:27:27,595 --> 00:27:28,025 Let's pray. 499 00:27:29,495 --> 00:27:30,964 Fathers, we come before you now. 500 00:27:32,345 --> 00:27:36,775 And we think about what the death and resurrection of that, of Jesus 501 00:27:36,795 --> 00:27:38,925 means to us in our lives right now. 502 00:27:40,265 --> 00:27:42,665 Father, we are grateful for the power of the resurrection. 503 00:27:43,355 --> 00:27:46,345 We are grateful to be called children of the Most High God. 504 00:27:48,165 --> 00:27:50,764 But we're also grateful that we get to know Christ through the 505 00:27:50,764 --> 00:27:52,065 participation of the sufferings. 506 00:27:52,395 --> 00:27:55,295 And Father, I pray that we will rejoice and be glad as the 507 00:27:55,295 --> 00:27:56,865 persecution comes in our lives. 508 00:27:57,055 --> 00:28:02,655 Whether it's spoken, if the tongue Or whether it's physical by the hand. 509 00:28:04,475 --> 00:28:05,655 We will gladly endure. 510 00:28:06,665 --> 00:28:09,554 Knowing that endurance will produce character and that character hope. 511 00:28:09,624 --> 00:28:11,834 And that hope is that great reward in heaven. 512 00:28:12,304 --> 00:28:13,974 That we can't even fathom right now. 513 00:28:14,284 --> 00:28:17,064 But we know it's true and exists because your son said so. 514 00:28:18,245 --> 00:28:20,304 So as we take the implements of this communion. 515 00:28:21,534 --> 00:28:24,464 The bread that represents his body that was crushed and died. 516 00:28:24,485 --> 00:28:25,754 And the blood that was spilt. 517 00:28:25,865 --> 00:28:28,004 We know that it's because of this and this suffering. 518 00:28:28,764 --> 00:28:29,995 That the power of resurrection came. 519 00:28:31,245 --> 00:28:35,465 And as we take it, we know that we, too, will also be, uh, be 520 00:28:35,465 --> 00:28:37,074 renewed and resurrected as well. 521 00:28:37,644 --> 00:28:38,985 We pray this in your Son's name. 522 00:28:42,564 --> 00:28:43,074 Thank you, God. 523 00:28:43,834 --> 00:28:44,824 Amen.