Join us this Sunday as Pastor Greg finishes off our sermon series on the beatitudes. Service begins at 10:30 in-person or online!
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“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.”
– Matthew 5:10-12
The Chosen season 2 episode 8 “Beyond Mountains”
- Persecuted by the ______________
- Persecuted by ____________________________________
- Persecuted by ________________
1) Persecuted because of ________________. (vs. 5:10)
“If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!” – 1 Peter 4:14-16
2) Persecuted when… (vs. 5:11)
- __________ and ______________ you
- ______ _______about you
- Because of ______________
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you…” – John 15:18-25
3) ______________ of persecution. (vs. 10-12)
- _____________________________________(vs. 10)
- _____________________________________(vs. 12)
- _____________________________________(vs. 12)
“…The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” – Acts 5:17-42
Digging Deeper
Q1: What kind of persecution have you received for your faith? What forms of persecution do you see in your own community?
Q2: Why is persecution a necessary part of the Christian life? How does Christ’s death and resurrection give us comfort in persecution?
Q3: Read John 15:18-25. What is it about Jesus specifically that people don’t like? What role are Christians called to in these verses?
Q4: Read Acts 5:17-42. Despite of the fact that God was with them, how did the apostles suffer? What evidences do you see that God’s sovereignty upheld and protected the apostles? Q5: Is there anyone in your life that you need to reconcile with because of persecution (yours or theirs)? Begin to pray for opportunity