Gear up for persecution

Rev Enoch Thompson | JANUARY 28, 2023 | MATTHEW 5:10-12

KEY VERSE: Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

MESSAGE:

It is interesting that the Lord Jesus Christ did not shy away from telling His disciples that persecutions were part of the Christian package. It may seem politically incorrect and strategically counter-productive to tell people whom He was trying to get to follow Him that their path would include suffering from persecution, but He did it.

Christian faith and practice attract persecution from humans acting by sheer dislike of the believers, or by the inspiration of the Devil to thwart the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

In whatever persecution that the believer faces, we must ensure that the cause of the affliction is that we are pursuing the righteousness of the Kingdom. The Apostle Peter says "¹⁹For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. ²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” 1 Peter 2:19-20 (NIV).

The blessedness of the persecuted-just is the possession of the Kingdom of Heaven The Kingdom is theirs in this life and will be theirs after death. The God of the Kingdom becomes their God in a special way. The resources of the Kingdom are theirs and will be dispensed by the King at His bidding. The protection and preservation and all the blessings of the Kingdom are actively theirs.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Make sure you do not become an agent of persecuting Kingdom citizens. If you are suffering persecution because of righteousness, be encouraged, God is with you, and His resources will speak for you.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, who suffered, and left me an example, I pray that you keep me from ever becoming the tool Satan uses to persecute your people. Please give me the stamina to withstand persecution in my life. And, Lord, may I see Kingdom reality working for me as I face persecution. Lord, sustain your people around the world who face daily persecution. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!