Blessed Are The Persecuted - Frank Brancato

It's wonderful to be here today, with all of you.

As has already been mentioned, we appreciate the presence of

every person that is here. And if you are a guest here,

today, we would hope and pray you would feel as you are and

that is as an honored guest I have on the screen, the title of

our lesson today and it's blessed are the persecuted Now I

think that we've all been guilty of something.

I know I have sometimes when we look at our life and compare it

to the life of the ancient, were these that died for their faith

or really were persecuted in the days of the early church.

We realized. When we compare our life, we

realized that it is not as bad as others have had it.

We know that But when you think about it like this, we do need

to understand, we do have persecutions in our life.

In fact, the Bible says that anyone that is going to live

Godly will suffer persecution. It doesn't say they may suffer

persecution, it says they will suffer persecution and just

because we are not taken and physically persecuted or beaten

or cast into prison because of our faith doesn't mean we don't

have persecutions in our life. Times.

We have it among family sometimes with a boss that we're

working for, sometimes it is with those that we go to school

with. Sometimes it's all the pressures

that is applied to us. All those things, they are real.

But what is the word of God? Say about this subject in

Matthew Chapter 5 beginning in verse 10, Jesus said, blessed

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

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 neck, for my sake

rejoice and be exceedingly, glad for great is your reward in

heaven for. So they persecuted the prophets

who were before you when we study these passages, what we're

talking about is we're talking about the beginning portion of

the greatest sermon ever preached.

It is the Lord's Sermon on the Mount and that's found in

Matthew. Five, six and seven.

And in the very beginning of that, Sermon on the Mount, he

begins with what is often referred to as Beatitudes.

And you might remember, I have dealt with all of them except

this one. This is the last of those

Beatitudes, but it is so relevant today about the idea of

being persecuted. But remember this, as we've

studied this in times past, when we interpret these Beatitudes,

we must interpret them from a spiritual perspective.

Of, and not from a physical perspective, for example, when

the Bible says, when Jesus said, blessed are the meek for, they

shall inherit the earth, it was not as some would falsely

interpret. You're going to have great

riches in this life. Didn't mean that at all.

It was phraseology that they would have understood referring

back to the land of Canaan, a literal land.

And what he was saying is we're talking about something else

from a spiritual perspective, we're talking about inheriting

or having a home on allotted portion in heaven.

So, when we interpret the Beatitudes, we must interpret

them from a spiritual perspective and not a physical

one. It begins in each verse with the

word blessed and the word blessed comes from the Latin

term, be a tus and that literally means blessed.

And, by the way, that's why we call them Beatitudes, it doesn't

mean this, it doesn't mean these are Beatitudes because these are

attitudes that we need to be what it means.

Is it comes from the word, be a tus.

Us. And that literally means

blessed. Now, the word in the Greek

literally means happy fortunate or blissful.

That's what Jesus was talking about.

He uses this idea to Simba, symbolize happiness.

That is based on pure character and Holiness, but let me also

say this, Scriptural blessedness is not based on outward

circumstances or superficial feelings, but in the reality

that one is dedicated to God and is approved by him.

But to be approved by God, one's life, must be molded by the

principles that are found in his word.

Now one can be happy. One can be blessed from a

spiritual perspective. One can change the way in which

he thinks about life and looks at life.

For the following reasons. Number one, we can be blessed or

happy when we are persecuted because of our relationship with

God. Number two, because of the

reality of Truth. Number three, because of the

recompense of The Sinner or the wicked.

In other words, that's God's job.

He takes care of that. I don't have to worry about

that. And what else?

The reward of the righteous because of the reward of the

righteous. These are reasons why we can be

happy when we are persecuted. The Christian needs to expect

though that he's going to have persecutions in his life and you

know, I would say this if you have absolutely no Battle Scars

at all. Okay, now I'm not indicting

anyone but please hear my words. If in fact I'll use myself for

an example, if I have absolutely no Battle Scars whatsoever, And

I'm not persecuted at all, in any way, shape, or form in my

spiritual life, and I go all of my life and I have not

persecuted, and I've got no Battle Scars at all.

It's very possible that I've lived a life of compromise and

not lived a life of truth. Because when you stand for what

is right? The Bible says, when you live

Godly, you will suffer persecution.

So understand this, I don't understand why people in the

world. Think if I come to Jesus,

everything in my life, is going to be great, nobody is going to

get mad at me anymore. Nobody's going to put me down

and all the struggles that I've had.

They're gone once I certainty. Jesus.

No, that's not what it says. It all in fact, nowhere in the

word of God. Does it say that when I become a

Christian, I now have an easier life.

It just says this. I'm going to have a better one

after this one. If I serve God all the days of

my life and God is with me all all the way, every step of the

way and helping me through the trials of life, when we're

persecuted, we ought to be happy.

Not because of the physical pain that we suffer, but due to the

spiritual blessings that we experience Now in each beatitude

each one of these is the following, there is a

declaration of blessing. Then there is the description of

an attitude and then finally the disposition of the blessing or

that's really the blessing itself, but it begins with a

declaration of blessing. You know, the word Blessing, by

the way, comes from the word Mark aereo's and the word

contains the idea of happiness and contentment.

Let me give you a Bible passage about contentment.

You may have in your life, you don't have any happy feelings

but you could be content. You may not like what's going on

in your life, but you can be content.

In fact, Paul said that very thing.

Paul said, what's I have learned whatsoever State?

I am therewith to be content. Paul learned that in the things,

in which he suffered and all that he had in his life, he

said, I've learned to be content, but let me give you

another passage Chris very recently preached on the

marriage question, he talked on marriage and divorce and one of

the passages he referred to was first Corinthians chapter 7,

1 Corinthians 7 · chapter mention

right? Right.

And in 1st Corinthians chapter 7, Paul is describing a woman

that has been married. She's a Christian and her

husband is dead, and we understand that she's Bound by

the laws of the marriage law, while her husband lives.

But when he's dead, she's free from that.

What does Paul say, if she wants to remarry, can't she sure only

in the Lord, though only a Christian.

But this is what Paul said. Here's that word again.

In First Corinthians, 7 and verse 40, she is happier if she

remains as she is, that's content.

That's blessed. All right.

Going back to the previous slide.

With such a blessing, it changes how we look at things.

It changes our attitude. Attitude is everything, I don't

care what where you are in Life, or what you're doing in life.

Attitude is everything it was said by someone one time that

attitude your attitude Is the aroma of your heart.

And sometimes we have a very poor perspective on things

because we have a very poor attitude.

I saw something the other day I thought it was fantastic.

I coached football for many, many, many years and all that 12

years and there's always a pregame speech and you always

try to think about something that would Inspire the men to

take the feel to be their best. I saw a little clip that was

sent to me by a friend and sent to my phone and it was he a

young boy with Down syndrome and it was obvious that this young

boy had challenges and he was the one that was going to give

the pregame speech and he stood before them.

And I thought, man, this will preach.

He stood before that group of men, those young men, those High

School football players and he said this, he said, I want you

to be all in. He said it again, he said I'm

telling you right now, I want you to be all in.

And then he said, the only disability in life.

Is a bad attitude. And I thought, man, that'll

preach. Be all in and don't have a bad

attitude. Don't you see what happens?

Because of the promise of this blessing, it changes our

attitude and you either believe and have faith in the blessing

and faith in god', 'you don't. But when you have a declaration

of blessing or the promise of a blessing, it should change how

we think it should change our attitude.

That's what it does and every one of these Beatitudes, all

three of these are given. And then finally, we find this

all. So that the end we find there's

a disposition of the blessing which is the actual specific

blessing itself. All of these three things are

found in every beatitude. All right, let's talk about the

one that's before us today. The final one that Jesus gave

and, you know, in many ways, it might seem most paradoxical or

contradictory of all the Beatitudes.

I mean, after all, Jesus is saying, happy or blessed are

those that are persecuted. It sounds like a paradox, how

could you be there at odds with one another?

The others seem to make sense. For example, we understand how

we can be happy by being Meek. We get that we can understand

how we can be happy being merciful.

And incidentally, the Bible talks about our demeanor towards

others and if we don't have any Mercy, the Lord is not going to

have any Mercy to us. But there's a secondary benefit

and we can understand it. If I am merciful to others and

everybody, Knows me as being a person that is merciful of

others. Don't you think others are going

to treat me maybe a little better?

Sure. And you might get some bad

people. I'm not talking about bad

people, talking about a benefit in our life.

What about this? We can understand about being

happy about being pure at heart, but being pure at heart, we get

it. But how can one be happy when

he's persecuted these two concepts seem antithetical or

opposed to each other yet. That's exactly what Jesus

teaches in this great lesson for us to learn.

One can be happy when he is persecuted for the following

reasons and there are four number one, You can be happy

because of your relationship with God.

Happiness comes from knowing that God is on your side.

I'm going to say that again, if you didn't catch that.

Happiness is knowing that God is on your side.

Now, we're talking about this, we're talking about somebody

that is suffering for righteousness.

God is on your side. There's a difference between

sometimes that I might have to take all the ramifications that

are negative about my bad choices.

It's not what I'm talking about. I got that coming.

What about when I'm persecuted for righteousness?

I don't have that coming. Okay, Gods on your side.

Still going to happen in some way, or another Gods on your

side. He never leaves us.

Romans 8:31. There we go again.

Romans 8:31

What? Then shall we say to these

things if God is for us? Who can be against us?

You as my dad used to say you and God is a majority, that's a

majority, it doesn't matter. All the people that are against

you, if God is on your side, there's nothing greater than

that. He never leaves us until we

leave him. Remember the example of Samson

though. Remember Samson.

Samson was being tempted by Delilah and repeatedly.

She asked the question over and over.

What makes you so strong and Samson gives this and gives that

as excuses to put her off and it doesn't work.

And finally she wore him down. She said Samson, why is it?

Or how is it that you're so strong.

He said this. He said no razor has ever

touched my head based on a Nazarite vow.

He said, no razor has ever touched my head but he said this

as the King James renders it if the razor Uh, shave off their 7.

Lakhs of my head. I shall be like all other men.

And the Bible says, he falls asleep on her lap.

His head is shaving, then she says Samson.

The Philistines be upon you, and he arose.

And he said, I will arise. I will shake myself and it will

be as all other times. But there's some of the saddest

words ever come next. But he knew not.

That the Lord was departed from him.

Do you know why the Lord was departed from him?

Because he departed from the Lord.

He didn't leave us, we leave him.

Here's something else to in Psalm 46.

Look at this. God is our refuge and strength.

May I ask you something? I don't know how it is with you

and your life, but if you're struggling, if you're struggling

in your spiritual life, let me ask you something.

Is God your refuge and strength or you trying to do it all by

yourself? Do you remember when the

disciples Jesus tells them? He tells Judas, one of you will

betray me. Remember Peter said, no, not me.

I will never do that. And Jesus says, Peter, by the

time that the rooster crows you will deny me three times.

And then the Bible says about the rest of them, they all

forsook him and they all fled. Do you know why they were trying

to use their own strengths? And you know what happens when

we try to use our own strength? We fail.

We're nothing. Are you trying to get your

strength from God or you're trying to get your strength from

yourself? If you're struggling?

Ask yourself, is God being my refuge in this particular matter

is God my strength in this particular manner, or am I doing

it all? By my self, my relying on My Own

Strength, notice, what else he is a very present help in

trouble. Man, that's great.

What is he? He's a very present help in

trouble. Here's my response to that

therefore we will not fear even though the Earth be removed and

though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea,

though its Waters Roar and be troubled, though the mountains,

shake with it swelling. I know this.

I'm not going to fear because God is my refuge and my

strength, he's my present help in times of trouble.

Why can't I be happy? I can be happy because my

relationship with God. Here's another one in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 29:11

29:11, but the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome one.

He's with me, he's with you. Therefore my persecutors will

stumble and will not Prevail, they will greatly be ashamed and

they will not Prosper. Their Everlasting confusion will

never be forgotten. Happiness comes from knowing

that Jesus understands all the things that we go through

because Jesus has been persecuted too far greater than

we ever will. I don't have time to go into it,

but I just want to reference the passage in Isaiah, 53 of all the

things that Jesus endured, we can't even fathom how awful it

was for the things, the Lord and devoured.

And I think the greatest maybe torment in his mind in the

Garden of Gethsemane, was the fact that the wrath of God on

sin would be placed on him. That's number one.

He would have to bear the sins of the world, and by the way, if

he was going to Bear the sins of the world, then the wrath of God

against, those sins would be upon him, too.

And I think that's part of when he said, let this cup pass from

me, not just the suffering, that's part of it, too.

But it has to be more than that. What else?

The father turned his eyes. And for the first time Jesus

would do it all alone. When I think about what we go

through, though, do you know this, if you're enduring and

you're going through the persecutions in your life and

you're standing for what is right?

He's not turning his head at all.

Oh he's right there with you but Jesus had to do it.

So what do we learn? We learn in First Peter chapter

1 Peter 2:21–24

2 verses 21 through 24 for if for to this you were called

because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that

you should follow in his steps. So we need to understand we're

going to have some persecution. We're going to have some

suffering. Notice, what else?

What did Jesus do? He committed?

No sin. Nor was deceit.

Found in his mouth who when he was reviled.

Wild did not revile in return when he suffered, he did not

threaten but committed himself to him who judges righteously.

That's God. Who himself bore our sins in his

own body. On the tree that we having died

to sins, might live for righteousness by whose Stripes,

you were healed. Happiness comes from knowing

that you're a child of God. Then I'm a Child of God

regardless of persecutions. First, John chapter 3 and verse

John 3 · chapter mention

1. Behold?

What manner of love. The father has bestowed upon us

that we should be called the children of God.

I'm going to tell you something. There's a lot of people that

would love that. There's a lot of people that

would love having a relationship with God.

In fact, there's a lot of people that think they do have a

relationship with God more on this in a minute, but they try

to do it on their own terms and they think that they have a

relationship with God and they love the idea or the concept of

having a relationship with God. Do you know what's different

from a Christian? And somebody in the world that

thinks they have a concept of a relationship with God.

It is not a concept with us, it is reality.

We have a relationship with God. He is our So, one reason, for

happiness, contentment during persecutions is because of our

relationship with God. But number two, this is huge.

The reality of Truth. Why is this so important?

Why is the reality of Truth? A blessing to us and why it can

we be happy based upon the reality of Truth?

Well, happiness comes from knowing that truth does not

change. Okay, let me give you an

example. If somebody is hard on you or

somebody is mad at you or somebody is persecuting, you, do

you know what it is? What we do in our mind.

And we might get resentful met get her feelings hurt at first,

but at some point we may do this at some point.

We may say Is it my fault? Did I cause it?

Do you know why there's a great blessing in the reality of

truth? It's because truth never

changes. So I can look at truth and I can

look at my life and I can look at the persecution.

I'm going through based upon my spiritual life and you know what

I can say it's not my fault. I can be content in that.

It's not my fault. It's not my fault.

If I'm doing what is, right? It doesn't change three passages

Hebrews. 13:8! Jesus Christ is the same

Hebrews 13:8

yesterday today, and forever. Malachi for I am, the Lord.

I do not change. And I love this, the psalmist,

David recorded for his merciful. Kindness is great toward us,

look how it flows together. Jesus is the same.

He is constant, God will never lose leave us.

He will never forsake us. We already read that.

And it for, I am, the Lord, I do not change.

The Lord is unchangeable and something else is unchangeable

to his. Merciful, kindness is great

toward us. When we are living the Christian

Life. Okay, but there's more about

this. Let's talk about Truth for just

a matter of just a minute. happiness comes from knowing

that one has obeyed the truth in John chapter 8, Beginning in

John 8 · chapter mention

verse 31. And Jesus said to those Jews who

believed in him, if you abide in my word, you are my disciples

indeed, and ye shall know the truth.

And the truth shall make you free.

Notice what's on the screen? We have two words.

They are connected. You can't separate them.

What is it? Word and Truth.

You can't separate that. I got to share something with

you. I get so frustrated.

I get so frustrated when people say there's no such thing as

absolute truth. And I'm going to tell you, it's

everywhere in the country. There's people that believe that

in the world in the religious World, whatever world And the

theory of today is there's no such thing as absolute truth.

So you can't really obey the truth because there's nothing

called absolute truth. Sometimes people say this,

what's true for me may not be true for you and you might take

the word of God and you might say, this is why what I believe

and why and they might say well that works for you.

That's true for you. Let me tell you what's true for

me and then tell what their position is on something.

Notice what can't be separated. He said to those who believed in

him if conditional you abide that's to remain in my word.

You are my disciples, indeed, and you shall know the truth and

the truth shall make you free notice.

The truth is found in the word and the word is truth.

It is simple when we just stick to the Bible, it's just so

simple. 1st Peter, 1:22 and 23. Listen to this.

Since you have purified, your souls by what obeying the truth

through the spirit in sincere. Love of the Brethren.

Love one. Another fervently with a pure

heart. Having been born.

Again, that's when you're baptized for the remission of

sins, not of corruptible seed, but Incorruptible through the

word of God that lives and abides forever.

You can obey the truth. You know, I can have confidence,

I can have happiness knowing not only that I have a relationship

with God, but secondly, the reality of truth, it's not going

to change. And you know what?

It's going to ultimately Prevail in Romans Chapter 2 and verse 2,

Romans 2 · chapter mention

Paul said, but we know that the Judgment of God is according to

truth. Another passage Psalm 96 and 13

for, he is coming and he will be coming to judge the Earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people's

with his truth. The truth of the word of God

will always prevail. Number three, though. when a

Christian is persecuted for their faith for living

righteously in their life, They have happiness and contentment

because they have a relationship with God the reality of truth.

But then there's this Because of the recompense of The Sinner or

the wicked. And you might say, well, what's

that mean? Why do I find happiness in the

recompense of The Sinner or the wicked because recompense is

really a matter of paying something?

In other words, what you have coming?

What I'm saying is the reason that we can have happiness or

blessedness in? This is because this is God's

job, that is not my job. I don't have to worry about it.

Happiness comes from knowing that for the sinner also,

there's hope our desire for Christian as a Christian is not

to be that the persecutors it would be destroyed but the

persecutors would be saved. And you know, when Jesus said,

love your neighbor that's hard enough but then he said, love

your enemies. How'd he do that?

Well one the obvious is how you treat them.

Number two is that you have a desire for them to be saved.

You can't love your enemies more than if you have a desire that

they someday will turn from the error of their way, repent, and

obey the truth, and be saved. So what Jesus was talking about

is he was talking about the idea of the sinner still having an

opportunity to be saved and that's what we want.

And by the way how many people in life sometimes are our

enemies. But later on down the line, they

obey the gospel and changed their whole life. you heard ever

heard somebody say, I could never be a Christian because of

the terrible things I've done in my life, I have Well, I know one

thing, I don't know anyone that's done.

More than Paul did to hurt the cause of Christ.

And yet, he was able to say later on, I bear in my body, the

marks of the Lord, Jesus completely changed his life.

The recompense of the center that's in the hands of God.

Our job is to take the gospel to the Lost.

There's time and there's hope second Peter chapter 3 and verse

2 Peter 3 · chapter mention

9. The Lord is not slack concerning

his promise as some count slackness but is long-suffering

to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all

should come to repentance. Listen, just maybe this world is

still standing because of God's Great desire for people to be

saved and God's knowledge of the fact that they're still good and

honest hearts out there. And let me just add this.

Can I just add this? Let's get our minds away from

this concept. It's wicked.

It's awful. Nobody wants it.

Get your mind off that. And and can I throw something

else into? What if the statement I just

said was true. So, what?

That's not my job to assist. It's my job to take the gospel

and preach the gospel. It's their job to have the good

and honest heart. That's God's job.

He gave the increase even if it's rotten and gone to the

dogs. It doesn't matter.

Preach the gospel. Keeping the fight.

Don't chicken out, don't give up.

Here's another one first Timothy chapter 1.

1 Timothy 1 · chapter mention

Consider Paul's words here. First Timothy chapter 1 15 and

1 Timothy 1 · chapter mention

16. This is a faithful saying and

worthy of all acceptance that Christ came into the world to

save Sinners, whom I am chief. However, for this reason, I

obtained Mercy that in May first.

Jesus Christ might show all long suffering as a pattern to those

who are going to believe on him for everlasting life as a

pattern. All right.

Have you ever considered? What if?

You were persecuted by someone that at one time was an enemy.

But have you ever considered that based upon your response?

They may obey the gospel later on.

Just maybe. We have to change our attitude

that if the persecution coming our way and is coming at us if

it leads to the possible penitence of that sinner

someday, it's a good thing we can take that.

Google name-dropping. How about Jesus?

Hey, how about Hebrews 12 and 2 looking unto Jesus, the author

and finisher of our faith. Who for what the joy that was

set before him, endured the cross despising, the shame and

is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

Jesus was not saying that the joy that was set before him was

the driving of the nails in his hands and in his feet in the

physical persecution and suffering.

It's not what he meant. The joy that was set.

Before him is the joy of being a save.

Mayor of saving the world through his death.

Why? What happened next?

He endured the cross. He despised the shame, and he

was set down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

Happiness comes from, knowing that personal vengeance is not

needed. Sometimes we think we have to

avenge our self but that's God's job.

I'm glad I don't have to personally worry about writing

all the wrongs that have ever been done to me in my life, and

I think really, there's a certain amount of contentment

that comes from that knowledge notice in Romans chapter 12,

Romans 12 · chapter mention

Beginning in verse 19. Look at this.

Beloved do not avenge yourselves.

But rather give place to wrath for.

It is written. Vengeance is mine?

I will repay says the Lord. That's the Lord's job.

Not my job. I don't have to worry about

that. Let's go further.

Therefore, here's the example, if your enemy is hungry, feed

him if he is thirsty. Give him drink for in doing.

So, you will Heap coals of fire on his head.

Do not overcome evil by evil but overcome evil with good.

Alright. Gotta say something about this,

though. You can't have the mindset.

I'm going to We be nice to that guy because I want to really I

want to really stick it to him and it's going to pour coals on

his head. A fire.

I'm going to really make him mad.

I'm be nice to him. No, that's not the mentality

behind it. When you do it for the right

reasons with the right spirit in the right mode, if you know what

it's like, it's like, heaping coals of fire on his head.

Do you know why? Because usually, when people are

ugly at you, they're wanting to create a fight.

An argument they want resistance and when you give it to them you

give them exactly what they want.

What is saying, here is what Paul saying.

Don't give them that. Be overcome do not be overcome

by evil but overcome evil with good.

I want to talk to you about forgiveness for just a minute.

I don't know how it is with you, I don't.

So just consider this to be a general.

Practice or principal me. Ask you a question.

Did you know that you are allowed to forgive somebody of

something that's been done to you.

Without them ever asking for forgiveness.

Did you get that? You are allowed to forgive

somebody of something. Even if they never ask for

forgiveness, now they still have to count to God.

They still got to deal with God, come out, personal forgiveness.

Greatest example, of all, how about Jesus on the cross?

What do you say? Father, forgive them for they

know not what they do. Now, they had to answer to God.

Jesus forgave them in that and he said, father forgive them

for, they know not what they do. Personally he forgave them.

What about Steven, Steven is there there?

Stoning him to death. He was the first martyr that

died for his faith. And Stephen said, Lord, lay not

this sin to their charge. Personally forgive.

About great examples in the Bible.

What about Joseph? I love that.

He was sold by his brothers into slavery, he had terrible things

happen, in succession to him in his life.

And none of it was his fault. And yet, the Bible says, when he

has his firstborn son, he names him, Manasseh, and that word

literally means, God has made me to forget.

Forget what your memory. No, forget.

All the trouble of my father's house.

What that meant is, it didn't mean his memory vanished?

It meant this, I am not going to be negatively influenced anymore

by the things that have happened to me.

Personally, forgive, by the way, sometimes people say I'm not

letting that guy off the hook not doing it.

You're not letting him off the hook.

You're not letting her off the hook, you're letting you off the

hook. Bitterness is a heavy burden.

Lay it down. Bitterness inside and hard

feelings. Is a heavy bait burden, it's a

heavy weight, lay it down. It's destroying you.

And you know, this too. Sometimes people can do hateful

and ugly things to us. And do you know they go about

their day and they don't think about you ever again. if

something happened to you negatively by someone, Okay,

they go about their life. Now I'm thinking about you at

all. Don't give them the power to

destroy you for the next two years, don't do that.

Let it go. Lay it down overcome evil with

that, which is good. But all that being said, I have

to tell you this too. Though we have to say there are

bad people in the world. There are.

There are wicked people in the world.

They really are there people that do horrible things.

There are my dad used to say, they want to make the world as

ugly as they are. It's true.

There are ugly people. I don't mean physically

speaking. I mean, by the deeds, in which

they do by the things in, which they do in their life, there's

some Wicked people. You can't tell me that.

There was any good in those terrorists on 9/11.

You can't say that. There's one good thing.

You can't sit back and say, oh, you know what?

They did a bad thing, but they're really okay, and pretty

good. You just got to get to know him.

No. They're rotten.

You are what you are because you do what you do.

We get that. Okay, I'm thankful though, I

don't have to worry about it. I don't have to worry about it.

I don't have to worry about the punishment of them, that's not

up to me. That's God's part.

Second Thessalonians chapter 1. Notice what happens.

2 Thessalonians 1 · chapter mention

Andy and to give you, who, troubled, rest with us, the Lord

Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in

flaming fire taking Vengeance on those that know, not God.

And those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord, Jesus

Christ. What I'm saying is it's my job

to preach the gospel to The Sinner.

If they don't obey the gospel. I don't have to be concerned

from that. That's up to God.

The Lord Jesus Christ. Is the judge now.

What else? What else?

Revelation, 21 and eight. God's taking care of this too

but the Cowardly unbelieving abominable murderers sexually

immoral Sorcerers idolaters and all liars shall have their part

in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the

second death but fourthly and finally Not only do we have a

basis for happiness, because of the three things we've already

noticed, but there's one more and if this one is not the best

one, I don't know what it is. Here's the best one.

Hang your hat on this. The reward were going to get.

You got to have something. What if living the Christian

Life when it was all said and done brought nothing?

Now, I do believe if you lived a Godly life and there was no God,

by the way, if there is no God, nothing matters, nothing

matters. If there is no God, But when you

think about that very idea, if you lived a Godly life and there

was no God, you would still live a better life, you would you'd

be a better citizen? He'd be a better worker.

You'd be a better. Husband, he'd be a better wife,

a better father, that's true. But what if there was nothing

for all the things that we have to endure in our life?

There is something and it's called the reward and it's

coming to the righteous happiness.

Also comes by knowing that persecution is merely

transitory, meaning it, Not permanent and you know, there's

even some practical benefits. You've heard my sermon on this

one. Verse is one Passage For our

light Affliction is but for a moment, it's working for us a

far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory.

I don't know of a more encouraging passage in all the

Bible. you know, this means this, you might remember the

sermon I preached months and months ago, But it's working for

us our light afflictions. Now Paul, had some terrible

afflictions but he called them light. and he said this, as

heavy as the Affliction is it is making on the scale, the weight

of Glory, even heavier and greater What's the Eternal

weight of Glory? First of all, the Eternal part

means it is forever. It's even after this life, okay?

The Eternal weight of Glory is literally this it is increasing

your capacity to serve and praise God.

In this life. And also, for all eternity.

Practical example. What if somebody had to endure,

some terrible stuff. They can use that and have the

capacity to serve God greater than they ever have.

It increases your capacity. So what's Paul saying the more

the Affliction, the heavier, the Affliction, the heavier, the

weight of Glory, it tips the scale, that's great stuff.

What else though? The things that we endure

they're just temporary, they're not they're not forever.

Look for the things which are seen are temporary but the

things which are not seen are eternal. here's another passage

Romans 8:18, for I consider that the sufferings of this present

Romans 8:18

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which

shall be revealed in u.s. Here's another one First Peter

1 Peter 1 · chapter mention

chapter 1. Verses 6 and 7.

In this, you greatly Rejoice, why?

it doesn't say in this, you hang in there.

In this, you tolerate it. He doesn't say that at all.

There's no passive acquiescence here.

Look what you get in this. You greatly Rejoice.

Why? For now, for a little while, if

need be, you have been grieved by various trials.

So they are real. They happen.

What are you going to get? It is proof and it demonstrates

that your faith is genuine. And it's much more precious than

that which is of gold. It's tested by fire.

May be found to praise honor and Glory at the revelation of Jesus

Christ. Look how it works.

When you stand for what's right in your persecuted, you act and

you behave properly, guess what? God gets the glory right now.

Right now, and you might have to endure and you might have to

grind it out and you may have to do all that.

But you know what? You get yours.

When Jesus comes back. That's the reward of the

righteous in heaven. One day, Jesus said this Matthew

5 blessed? Are you when they revile and

persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for

my sake rejoice and be exceedingly, glad for great is

your reward in heaven for. So they persecuted the prophets

that were before. You notice this to, here's

another practical In James chapter 1, verse 2 and 3 my

James 1:2

brethren count it all joy. When you fall into various

trials. Why knowing that the testing of

your faith? Produces patience.

The weight that we talked about in Paul's writing to Corinth

increases, your capacity to serve God.

These things produce patience to endure for the rest of your

life. First Peter, chapter 4, verse

1 Peter 4:14

14, if you ever approached the name of Christ blessed, are you?

And you know what's interesting is the we've been using the word

happy all along. We've been using the word happy

The new King James says, blessed the King James says, happy.

Happy, are you? Why for this?

Why? On their part?

He has blasphemed on your part. He is glorified Happiness comes

from knowing that heaven, awaits those that are persecuted.

That's what the word of God says.

Two more passages. Beloved do not think it strange

concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some

strange thing happened to you but you know, that's what we do

sometimes. Look at this terrible thing

happen to me. It happened to me.

And sometimes we think that the only bad thing going on in life

is what's happening to me? Sometimes our mind does that.

And yet the Bible says, there's nothing that's going to come on

you except that, which is common to man.

And you know what I found in my short life I have found in my

life, you know, I can't keep saying short life, it's getting

a little longer 53 is around the corner.

So, let me just say it this way in my life.

I have found that when I was going through something that

might have been very difficult for me.

If I kept my eyes open, I found somebody had it worse.

So don't think it's strange when some trial comes on you as

though some strange thing happened to you but Rejoice to

the extent that you are /. Takers of Christ's sufferings

that when his glory is revealed you may also be glad with

exceeding Joy, one more passage Matthew, 5, the words of Jesus.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness

sake for theirs is the kingdom. Of Heaven.

All right. In conclusion, and I'm finished.

In conclusions. The child of God, when

persecuted can be happy. You know why?

Because the four reasons we talked about today Because of

the Christians relationship with God, that God will never leave

our side. If he won't take it away, he'll

get you the strength to get through it and he'll never leave

your side. If you don't leave him your

relationship with God. Doesn't matter what happens to

me because of my relationship with God and God's right there.

With me every step of the way, what else the reality of truth?

I don't have to let my mind, go wandering to know if I'm doing

something wrong, I could just look at the word of God.

Is my life, doing what the word of God says?

And if I'm persecuted for that, I find peace in that.

I find contentment in that and I can be happy in that.

Why? The reality of Truth.

And I can even know how to obey the truth in that great.

Number three, I can be happy too because the recompense of the

center of the wicked is not up to me.

I don't worry about that. I don't have to avenge myself, I

don't have to do that. I can overturn evil with good

and finally I can be happy because man we're going to get a

reward one day. You're going to get a reward one

day. And when we have the capacity is

in been increased, the Eternal weight of glory, and I have that

going on in my life, that means that I carry that Eternal weight

of Glory eternally. As what Paul said, eternally in

heaven, means this, it increases my capacity to serve God, even

in heaven. How about that?

That's good stuff. I'm finished.

I'm finished today. Thank you so much for your kind

listening. I apologize for the beginning

when we try to get our system up and running but I appreciate

your patience. We never close a time that we

assemble as the body of Christ without extending an invitation

though to somebody that might be subject to the gospel call.

First of all, there are no blessings outside of Jesus

Christ. They're not and the Bible says

in Romans 10:17. So faith comes by hearing and

Romans 10:17

hearing by the word of God. Hearing of the word of God

produces Faith. Jesus said in Mark 16:16.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he

that believeth not shall be damned.

Jesus further said in Luke 13 and 3, I tell you.

No, but except you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Everybody's got to do that to, you got to change your life.

In Matthew, 10:32. And Jesus said, if you confess

me before men, I will confess you before my Father, which is

in heaven and that confession simply is, I believe that Jesus

Christ is the Son of God upon taking those steps though.

It leads us to the point of our Salvation.

That's when we go down to the Waters of baptism and have our

sins washed away. First, Peter 3:21 says the like

figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.

We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the

Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you

would like any additional information, or you would like

to receive a free Bible correspondence, course by mail.

Please email us at info at her Church of Christ

Bakersfield.com. Our service times are on Sundays

at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Please make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our

honored guest.