Being Part 8

This Preaching in Shorts sermon series is called “Being” and is based on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.

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We are in a series called Being, based on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12

So far we should have memorized Matthew 5:3-9

Matthew 5:3-10 (NIV)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

We talked about Matthew 5:3 and called it the attitude of humility. We looked at Matthew 5:4 and called it the attitude of reality. Then we talked about Matthew 5:5 and called it the attitude of gentleness and that our inheritance is One More. We talked about Matthew 5:6 and called it the attitude of Radical Living. Then we talked about Matthew 5:7 and called it the attitude of Radical Hospitality. We talked about Matthew 5:8 and called it the attitude of integrity. Last week we looked at Matthew 5:9 and called it the attitude of Ambassadors. This week we are going to take a look at Matthew 5:10-12:

Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We are going to call this the attitude of righteousness

1.) Becoming His righteousness (5 – 2 – 1)

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Righteousness – Being right with God and doing what is right

We have to live this out before the world. We get right with God in Christ and then we try and live by doing what is right, by doing the next right thing. We are not perfect and therefore we do not need to run around pointing fingers of judgment. We recognize the fact that all of us desperately need God. We should always treat people in a way that incorporates the beauty of their potential.

And yet, even as we try and live for God and be a source of blessing and encouragement to the world around us, many people are not going to like it.

This is often hard for us to deal with, because we often try very hard to make people like us. To have people approve of us. The reality is, however, that no matter how hard you try, some people just can’t be pleased and some people won’t like you.

Jesus is very real in this Beatitude as He says, “If you follow me, there are a lot of people who are not going to like it”. If you embrace this life of being that we have been talking about, you can be assured that some people won’t like it.

In fact, this idea is so shocking to the people listening that Jesus actually repeats it again in the following verse. And, He spends more time on this Beatitude than the others as well.

While the other Beatitudes are dealing with the attitudes we need to develop to live for Him, this one is about the attitude we need to develop in order to handle the rejection that comes with living for Him.

One quick note, Jesus is not talking about being put down for being obnoxious or self righteous. Sometimes people set themselves up as martyrs. They display hateful “Turn or burn” or “you’re going to die and fry” attitudes or an attitude of “I’m so great and you’re so bad” and then they claim they are being persecuted when people respond negatively to them. They aren’t being persecuted, they are being jerks!

So how are we to respond to persecution that comes from following Jesus?

2. Remember the source

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The person who is messing with you is not the real problem; recognize the source.

3. Be proactive not reactive

Romans 12:21 (NIV)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Once you start reacting, who’s in control? The person who is trying to push your buttons. So how can you be proactive?

Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

When people put you down, you encourage them. When people hassle you, you just be nice to them. You do not retaliate. The moment you start retaliating, they are in control. This next concept is worth the price of admission today. You cannot control the things that happen to you, you cannot control the things that people say about you. You cannot control the events, the persecutions, the hassles you’ll get. But you can control how you choose to react and respond. So, choose to love them and pray for them.

4. What is the payoff?

Why would I do that? What is in it for me?

Matthew 5:12 (NIV)
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The rewards are out of this world! Anything that you have to suffer through now is only temporary and we have eternity to share in His glory.

Romans 8:17 (NIV)
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Related posts:

1. Being Part 3
2. Being Part 6
3. Being Part 7
4. Being Part 5
5. Doing Part 4

Tags: Beatitudes, Jesus moment, Matthew, ministry of encouragement, Preaching in Shorts, righteousness

Category: Preaching in Shorts