Matthew 5:10-12

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of the righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 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 following is taken from Randy Pope of Perimeter Church's sermon on a series called Homecoming Bliss about the Beatitudes:

1. Those included in God's Kingdom should expect to be persecuted.
2. Those included in God's Kingdom should be glad they are persecuted.

Before we begin, you should keep in mind that the word "blessed" comes from the word "bliss," meaning "happiness."

Also, "those included in God's Kingdom" are not just those following a religion or those who have once said a prayer to be a christian, they are those who are "hardcore" for Christ. They are in love with their Savior, not their religion.

Now the big question that's probably in your mind is, "Why is a persecuted person happy?" Obviously persecution is not a fun thing and does not bring a smile to anybody's face. It is because of the way that they live their life that they are happy. They are living their lives completely for Christ in such a way that anyone who observes them for even a short time would know this and most likely find this threatening. John Pieper said that if you are truly living for Christ, there will either be persecution or there will be converts. Read the all of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 to learn more about living in the Kingdom of Life.

Here's why persecuted Christians are happy:
1. Persecuted Christians are glad because they are identified with Christ
John 15:20- "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."
Acts 5:41- "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

2. Persecuted Christians are glad because their character is further developed
Romans 5:3-5- "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

3. Persecuted Christians are glad because their witness is magnified
Philippians 1:12-14- "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

4. Persecuted Christians are glad because their reward is guaranteed
Matthew 5:12- "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
1 Corinthians 4:17- "For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."
1 Peter 4:12-13- "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

By the way, if you don't believe that persecution of Christians is a relevant topic to you or it's just a thing of the past, visit this website http://www.persecutionblog.com/ In fact, visit this website anyways. It'll open your eyes and touch your heart.