Word of Salvation – Vol. 42 No. 45 – December 1997

 

The Prize Of The Persecuted

 

Sermon by Rev. A. J. Quak on Matthew 5:10-12

Scripture Readings: 1Peter 4:12-19; Matthew 5:1-12

Suggested Hymns: BoW 170; 447; 427; 488:1, 4

 

Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I'm going to begin by making an assumption.  There would not be many, if any, people in our congregation who have been physically abused because they stood up for their faith.  Is that a fair assumption, congregation?  When we hear of the atrocious suffering and abuse that members of the early church had to endure – and when we hear of modern day persecution in places like the Sudan and China – it is obvious that persecution is a relatively unknown phenomenon to us.

How should we respond to such a situation?  If we are serious in our attitude to the Word of God, I think we may have a reason to be a little worried.  Peter says we should not be surprised at the painful trial we are suffering.  But how often is the opposite true!

Instead of being troubled about our lack of persecution, we seem to have a different tendency that says, "Thank you, Lord, that I am not in circumstances of persecution, for I do not think I could endure so much without falling away."  What a shame these sorts of thoughts enter our hearts.  For does not the Lord say to us through Matthew 5:10-12 that the persecuted are blessed?

As we come to see the application of the eighth beatitude, let us allow ourselves to be challenged.  Here is a text which directs our attention to the dangers of complacency about lack of persecution.  Being persecuted Kingdom citizens is a consistent portrayal of our walk before the Lord.

Is it a portrayal of our life?  Does our Christian lifestyle and witness warrant attracting persecution?  In a nutshell, people of God, as we compare our lives to the demands of this beatitude, are we as authentic in our Christianity as Jesus expects us to be?  Or are there certain unauthentic aspects which need to be confessed and worked against?  Let us prayerfully take this journey together.

We begin by asking ourselves,
                                                "What is persecution?"

When we turn to the Word of God, there are some obvious examples.  Many of the Old Testament prophets were persecuted for their faithfulness to God – often by their own people.  The prophet Jeremiah is a prime example.  Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered persecution from many fronts while He walked this earth.  Acts 7 is the first record of a Christian martyr – the first of thousands who were put to death for their faith in Christ.  The New Testament record speaks many times of apostles and church leaders who were flogged, jailed, and even put to death for the Lord.  Church history speaks of times when Christians were crucified for their faith.  Others were burnt at the stake.  Still others were beheaded.  Even in our day, places such as China and the Sudan attest to the fact that physical persecution exists.

If we limit our understanding of persecution to these examples it would be very unlikely, at least in the present climate, that the government of Australia would tolerate this type of physical persecution.  Does that mean we shouldn't expect to be persecuted for the sake of Christ?  Not at all!  In verse 11 Jesus mentions three types of persecution which can be expected by the Christian: being insulted; being physically persecuted; having all types of people falsely speak all types of evil against us.  We may not be physically beaten up, but, if we are authentic in our witness, insults and false accusations should be part of our experience.

Insults are a deliberate misrepresentation of one's character.  And it is no wonder that persecution takes this form.  Authentic Christians stand on one side with our Christ-like character – a character spoken of in the beatitudes.  On the opposite side stands the world, with their devil-like character, poised to attack.  What charge can people of this world bring against those who have the foundation of Christ-like integrity?  None!  For when the light of Jesus within our hearts shines brightly, we stand as faithful representatives of Christ.  Consistent Christian characters are despised by our world.  So the world resorts to insults to make us look bad.

"Meekness is weakness.  Mourners are cry-babies.  Peacemakers only want to meddle into the affairs of others.  Christianity is a crutch" etc.  They take the truth, bend it a little and throw it back in our faces.  They misrepresent our character.  Insults are a form of being persecuted for the sake of Christ.

When people resort to persecuting us by saying all sorts of evil against us we can know they are getting desperate.  The truth of God's Word lived out in our lives is a truth which cannot be faulted in any way.  Our truth stands on the integrity of God.  False accusations are the only weapons the world has to try and drag us down.

"You are wrong for being anti-abortion for you are compromising the rights of the mothers.  You are being cruel by condemning euthanasia – let people die with dignity.  Don't discipline your children, you are going to scar them for life.  Isn't it arrogant to say that your Saviour is the only saviour which can get people to heaven.  What about other good religious people?"

Persecution through false accusations of evil come our way because our standard is so different.

Physical beatings may not be the sort of persecution we have to face, but when it comes to being persecuted for the sake of Christ, we should at least expect insults and false accusations to come our way.  Bring to mind all the events you went through last week.  Are any of these types of persecution included in those events?  Call to mind the number of times you have endured insults and false accusations.  Have those times been many?  Enough to use all the fingers on both your hands?

As you keep your answers to these questions in mind, let us now explore a second issue which comes out of these verses in Matthew:
                        "Why must Kingdom citizens be persecuted?"

Whenever you read the beatitudes, one principle of application should always be entrenched in your mind.  The beatitudes are attitudes of Kingdom citizens.  All who give their allegiance to Jesus Christ are people who should be poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers... and persecuted.  The beatitudes are certainties of the Christian life; they are not optional extras.  That places us in a predicament, doesn't if?  On the one hand most of us have to admit that persecution has little or no impact in our lives.  Yet, on the other hand, if we consider ourselves to be members of the Kingdom of God then the Lord makes it clear – persecution is a certainty.

Let's get more personal.  If we are not experiencing persecution in our lives, could it be that there is something a little unauthentic about our Christianity?  Now I am not saying that we are not Christians.  For all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.  Therefore I am not questioning God's grace to us and His calling in our lives.  Rather, it is our expression of gratitude which comes into the spotlight.  Jesus calls blessed those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.  Are we persecuted?  Are we one of those blessed?  is our daily Christian witness of such a calibre that it attracts the attention of a world that hates God and hates us as representatives of God?

What a dilemma we are in when we remember the numerous biblical passages warning the Christian to expect persecution.  Why this expectation?  Why should we expect people to be offended by our Christian witness?  Because Christ's salvation in our lives is something we cannot keep silent about.  As a Christian do you need to fear death?  Not at all..!  Through the resurrection, death has lost its fear.  Now it merely signals the beginning of a new stage in our lives.  A step into the presence of the Father.

As an adopted child of God do you need to fear that God will forget you, His chosen one?  Of course not.  Jesus the Good Shepherd has promised that no one will be able to snatch His sheep out of His hands.  Our election is concrete.

As a servant of the Lord do you need to fear being denied the promises of God, even when you bring shame to the Name of the Lord?  Of course you don't.  We have a Saviour who was tempted with the same temptations that we have gone through – there is One at the right hand of the Father who knows our every weakness.  And, while He is sad when we bring shame to Him, He always comes to us and says, "My grace is sufficient for you.  My mercy is continually shown to My children."

Such hope, joy, peace and trust is the essence of our faith.  If we have been made to respond to the calling of a Saviour whose sole goal while on this earth was to bring us to heaven before the throne of God, how can we sit in complacent silence?  Is it appropriate that we let secular humanism take over what lawfully belongs to God?  Does an authentic Christian sit on his or her hands complaining that the task is too big, when they have the power of Jesus Christ as their support?  Is it right for us to lessen our Christian witness because we might offend someone else?  No, no and no!  For the sake of Christ; for the sake of righteousness; for the sake of the Lord who is our first love, we must stand up in this world and bring the truth.  And standing for the truth of the Gospel brings persecution.

Our prophetic calling in this world – our calling to speak of the wonders of God and the works that He has done – continues to be expected.  And, as the prophets of the Old Testament can affirm, this work goes hand in glove with persecution.  Those who are loved by Christ can expect to be persecuted as they stand up for their Saviour and His will – a Saviour that the world hates and rejects.  But this is God's world – a world to which the Son was sent to give life – and God is counting on us to defend His territory from the advances of Satan.

But we're so afraid aren't we.  We find it so hard to go out of our way for the Lord – to speak up for what we believe – to declare that our standard is the norm for this world.  We find it so hard to break out of fear – to speak against the status quo.  We find it hard to offend our peers, friends and associates with the offence of the Gospel, for we don't want them to speak badly of us.  We don't like speaking up for the Lord, even though He is the author of our salvation, even though He has given us eternal life, even though He has given us the mandate to be salt and light.  We would rather that people speak nicely to us.  But what does Jesus say in Luke 6:26?  "Woe to you when people speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

Congregation, there is something unnatural about a Christian who is not persecuted for the sake of Christ.  Something false.  Indeed being false about who we are – and we are Christ's ambassadors – is the essence of being unauthentic.

Let's be blunt for a moment.  If your Christianity is such that it conforms nicely to the standards of the world in which we live, you will not be persecuted in any way because your life follows accepted worldly standards.  But as soon as your witness for the Lord conforms to the standards of Christian living, persecution does come your way because you are seeking to live in this world using unacceptable and godly standards.  We are talking here about the huge difference between being authentic in all areas of our Christian walk, and being unauthentic in some areas – particularly those that bring us in conflict with the world.

What sort of person are you?  A person who is persecuted as a direct result of standing up for the name of Jesus Christ?  A person who is insulted because you proclaim Jesus as the only true path?  A person who sets the biblical standard by demanding that God's law take precedence?  A person who is authentic about your faith in all areas of life, not just at those times when Christian friends are watching?  A person who is consistently serving God the whole week, not just at worship and church meetings?

If this is the sort of person you are, then you are blessed, for persecution is sure to come your way.  But if you are not enduring persecution could the real reason for that state of affairs be that your life is not totally lived for the sake of Christ?

Here is a text which directs our attention to the dangers of complacency about lack of persecution.  Being persecuted Kingdom citizens is a consistent portrayal of our walk before the Lord.  So the challenge is shouted to us through the pages of Scripture – being persecuted for the sake of Christ is a must, it is not an optional extra.  But not only does the Lord challenge us, He also equips us with a way to deal with persecution.

Let us face one final point which flows out of this text as we consider
                        "What is the response of the Kingdom citizen to persecution?"

Jesus says in verse 12 of our text, "rejoice and be glad."  Peter calls for the same response in 1Peter 4.  "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering... but rejoice... if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (vss.12,13,16)

This is perhaps the most ironic demand that the Lord places on us.  Our Lord wants us to stand up for His name – to be beaten, insulted and endure false accusations - so that we can be joyful in our Christian walk.  How is it possible for such a situation to bring joy?  Joy comes because the Kingdom citizen who is persecuted has the assurance from the Lord that the Lord considers him authentic.  Joy comes because we know God is using us as His tool.  We don't endure persecution as a way to enter heaven – a way to make God show us favour.  Rather, we rejoice and are glad because we know that when persecution comes our way, all we are doing is following in the footsteps of those who have been declared by the Lord Himself to be righteous.

Matthew 5:12 mentions the prophets as an example of those who were persecuted.  In faith and obedience the prophets of old proclaimed to the world the will of the Lord.  They were unpopular.  They were rejected.  Some where scorned.  Some were beaten.  Some had to sustain severe punishment.  But all of them – ALL of them – were declared righteous by the LORD.  All were called for the task and all fulfilled His Word.

The reaction of the people to the work of the prophets was a confirmation of a God-given calling.  They proclaimed the truth of God's Word, and the Word affected the hearts of the people.  We, who are Kingdom citizens today, merely follow in their footsteps.  There is a real sense in which we still have a prophetic calling.  A calling which will bring persecution, but which will also bring us much assurance about our place in God's plan.

How can we have assurance when we are being persecuted?  Why can we rejoice when we are being persecuted?  Well, let me ask you.  Would anyone in this world suffer for the Name and cause of Jesus Christ if the Spirit of Jesus was not in their hearts?  Do you know anyone who does not believe that the Bible is the Word of God, but who still seek to be persecuted for righteousness sake?  Of course not.  And that is why we can rejoice and be glad.  Not because we are being persecuted.  Not because we are going through difficult trials.  Not even because of the reward which will be ours in heaven.  But because, by suffering persecution for the sake of Christ, we have visible affirmation that the Lord Jesus Christ resides in our hearts.  We can see the Lord using us as His tool, the Potter moulding these feeble jars of clay.

When persecution comes, the only response we should have is joy.  The eternal joy of knowing that Jesus is using us as His personal tool.  The joy of knowing Jesus has taken residence in our hearts.  The joy of knowing that when Jesus resides in our hearts, nothing can remove Him, not even our own shameful actions.  The joy of knowing that when Jesus sets His hand on us and calls us His precious child, then we are a child for eternity.  No wonder those who are persecuted are blessed.  Blessed with the Kingdom of heaven.  Blessed with a great reward in Heaven.  For they have been eternally secured by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  They have true hope and true joy.

Persecution in the form of physical abuse may be a relatively unknown phenomenon to us, but that does not mean we are immune to persecution.  Peter says we should "not be surprised at the painful trial we are suffering."  Jesus says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted."  The challenge has been laid down before us.  And there are two responses we can have.  We can completely ignore the challenge and keep on thanking the Lord for the fact that we do not face persecution.  Or we can allow ourselves to be challenged by a text which directs our attention to the dangers of complacency about lack of persecution.  Perhaps even being a little worried.

Being persecuted Kingdom citizens is a consistent portrayal of our walk before the Lord.  If this is not a portrayal of your life I hope you go home worried.  Let's begin to come to terms with the fact that persecution, in all forms, is a natural consequence of being Christians in this world.  Let's all seek to have a Christian lifestyle which attracts persecution; a lifestyle which is distinctly different.

Let's be willing to prayerfully ask ourselves a most serious and telling question, Is my Christianity as authentic in all areas as Jesus expects it to be?  Or are there certain unauthentic aspects which need to be confessed and worked against?

Here is a call to follow in the footsteps of our forefathers, the prophets.  Here is a call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Think about all that Jesus has done for you, personally.  Are we willing to take up this challenge in response to the all-sufficient love, grace and mercy of our Saviour Jesus Christ?

Amen.