Blessed are the Persecuted (Part 2)
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This document provides an overview of a study on the Sermon on the Mount, specifically focusing on the passage "Blessed are the Persecuted." It examines different Greek and Latin words used to describe ways Christians may be ridiculed, mocked, scorned, vilified or railed against for their faith. The study encourages responding wisely to such persecution by finding joy, as Jesus and the prophets did, and by flourishing through difficult times, as the righteous are said to do.
Blessed are the Persecuted (Part 2)
- 1. “Blessed are the Persecuted...”
- 2. 9th in a series of studies on the Sermon on the Mount
- 3. Poor in Spirit Mourn Meek Hunger for Righteousness Merciful Pure in Heart Peacemakers Persecuted for Righteousness OUTWARD OurCondition BeforeGod OurCharacter BeforeOthers
- 4. 1. Whenever people refile us and speak evil against us, we should rejoice because God will bless us. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. FALSE 1 Peter 2:20 “Blessed are the persecuted...”
- 5. 2. A person who tells the truth cannot be guilty of reviling. FALSE Psalm 64:6-8 “Blessed are the persecuted...” 6 They devise iniquities: “We have perfected a shrewd scheme.” Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. 7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they shall be wounded. 8 So He will make them stumble over their own tongue; All who see them shall flee away.
- 6. 3. The most painful reviling will come from long- standing enemies. 12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng. FALSE Psalm 55:12-14 “Blessed are the persecuted...”
- 7. 4. The best way to respond to reviling is to ignore it. FALSE Psalm 55:16 “Blessed are the persecuted...” 16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me.
- 8. 5. We are responsible to protect our reputation when attacked. FALSE? Philippians 2:7 “Blessed are the persecuted...” 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
- 9. 732 6 1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
- 10. 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 732 6
- 11. 732 6 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
- 12. 732 6 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
- 13. 732 6 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
- 14. 732 6 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
- 15. 732 6 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
- 16. 732 6 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
- 17. 732 6 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- 18. 732 6 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- 19. 732 6 11 “Blessed am I when they revile and persecute me, and say all kinds of evil against me falsely for Christ’s sake. 12 I will rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is my reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before me.
- 20. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Μάρτυρος (mártyros) = “witnesses”
- 21. A. “for your faults” (1 Pet. 2:20) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?
- 22. B. “for righteousness sake” (10) C. “for My sake” (11) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
- 23. John 15:20–24 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
- 24. “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
- 25. First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Finally, they came for me and there was no one left to speak out. Martin Niemöller
- 26. “revile” “say all manner of evil against you falsely” “persecute” ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō)= Insult, denounce, reprimand, reproach διώκω (diōkō)= pursue, press forward πᾶς (pas) = all kinds, every type πονηρός (ponēros) = wickedness, corrupt ψεύδομαι (pseudomai) = lie, deceive by lying
- 27. RIDICULE Latin: ridiculum = joke, jest; to sneer, tease, make fun of, belittle
- 28. Respond Wisely to Ridicule (Jn. 8:48,49, 51-53) 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.”
- 29. Respond Wisely to Ridicule (Jn. 8:48,49, 51-53) 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”
- 30. MOCKING French: mocquer = to deride, make fun of in a derisive cruel way, to scoff
- 31. Respond Wisely to Mocking (Mt. 27:29-31) 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
- 32. SCORN Latin: escarnire = to despise, to look down on
- 33. Respond Wisely to Scorn (Mt. 9:18,19,23-26) 18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. 23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing,
- 34. Respond Wisely to Scorn (Mt. 9:18-26) 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they laughed Him to scorn. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.
- 35. VILIFYING Latin: vilis = vile + facere = to make; to discredit or disgrace to judge & condemn falsely
- 36. Respond Wisely to Vilifying (Jn. 18:29-30) 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
- 37. RAILING Latin: ragulare = to bray, to roar; to use abusive language; to hurl profane insults
- 38. Respond Wisely to Railing (Mk. 15:29-30) 29 And those who passed by blasphemed (railed on) Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
- 39. Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- 40. Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree
- 41. You Are The Salt of the Earth Frank Brunner, teaching
Editor's Notes
- #4: The first four Beatitudes were entirely inner principles, dealing with how you see yourself before God. The fifth Beatitude, while also being an inner attitude, begins to reach out and touch others. This is the fruit of the other four. When we are broken as beggars in our spirit, when we are mournful and meek and hungering and thirsting after righteousness, being merciful to others will be the result.
- #21: The 2nd-century Church Father Tertullian wrote that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church“, implying that the martyrs' willing sacrifice of their lives leads to the conversion of others.
- #27: Persecution is a normal part of the Christian life.