Series: Sermon on the Mount
Service: Sun AM Worship
Type: Sermon
Speaker: Bill Sanchez
Blessed are the Persecuted
Date & Time:
2025-07-27 Sunday AM Sermon
Instructor:
Bill Sanchez
Duration:
approximately 36 minutes
Topics Covered:
- The Beatitude "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake" from Matthew 5
- Understanding suffering and persecution for Christ
- Reasons why Christians suffer persecution
- Distinguishing suffering for God from suffering due to personal faults or consequences
- The blessedness and happiness found in suffering for Christ
- Examples of biblical figures who suffered for God
- The impact of persecution on Christian witness and life
Key Points or Explanations:
- Persecution for righteousness is a form of blessedness and leads to the kingdom of heaven.
- Not all suffering is from God; some is due to personal sin or consequences.
- Christians suffer because their values oppose worldly values, leading to slander, ostracism, and insults.
- Jesus' suffering is the model and source of meaning for Christian suffering.
- Suffering for Christ demonstrates loyalty and aligns believers with Jesus and the prophets.
- Persecution is often social rejection, insults, and false accusations rather than physical torture in many contexts.
- Christians should not fear persecution but see it as a testimony to their faith and love for others.
- The reward for enduring persecution is great in heaven.
- Persecution can be a means to bring life and salvation to others by showing the value of souls over comfort.
Important Definitions/Concepts:
- Persecution: suffering or mistreatment because of one's faith and righteousness.
- Blessedness: a state of spiritual happiness and favor from God, even in suffering.
- Kingdom of Heaven: the spiritual realm where God reigns, promised as a reward to the persecuted.
- Sanctifying Christ: setting Jesus apart as Lord in one's life, leading to persecution.
- Suffering for righteousness: enduring hardship because of living according to God's standards.
Instructor’s Answers/Clarifications:
- Clarified that suffering for wrongdoing is not persecution for God.
- Explained that persecution includes social rejection, insults, and false accusations.
- Emphasized that Christians should not be surprised by persecution.
- Encouraged embracing suffering as a way to show loyalty to Christ and to impact others positively.