The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (13)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on January 20, 2010
Topic: Blessed Are... (8)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we saw that a peacemaker is someone who, having first received the peace of God within him, works to make that peace known to others, while at the same time, living at peace with all men.
We describe the peace of God as the tranquility and calm; which marks the absence of the conflict, confusion, and chaos caused by sin, in the individual�s heart and life. We illustrated the peace of God in a man�s life as what happens to a rock on the beach, which remains where it is, though the wave of the sea beat upon it. We noted, however, that this peace does not come through wishful thinking; rather it is imputed in us as one of the immediate benefits of our salvation, after we have confessed Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord.
After receiving the peace of God in us, the next thing is to tell others about it. In transmitting the knowledge of the peace of God to others, the man who has received the peace of God, must do it through preaching of the gospel; through prayers for the peace of God to be imputed in others; and through the pursuit of peace in his interaction with others. Such a man demonstrates in practical terms that he is not the son of God just because he is born again, but also by the way he is living his life in a very personal relationship with God.
We saw the examples of the erstwhile 'mad man of Gadara', who, having received the peace of God, was asked to go and tell others of what great things God has done in his life. We also saw the example of the woman at the well of Samaria, who, upon receiving the peace of God, went on to pass the message of this peace and who it is that gave it to her to the men in the city. We also concluded that by the evidence of living as such, one who is a son of God doubtless attracts others to God! May the Lord help us play our part if, indeed, we have received the peace of God in our hearts!
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:10-12
Tonight, we turn to the last of the beatitudes. Whereas the other seven refer to certain spiritual attributes imputed through our surrendering to the Holy Spirit in our hearts, this last one refers to what happens to us through the actions of others: persecution for righteousness' sake. May the Holy Spirit help us to understand that persecution for doing right by God is a part of the gospel and nothing to be ashamed of!
Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-21; 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 2:8-10; Matthew 10:22-33; 1Peter 4:12-19; 3:16-18; Isaiah 63:9; Acts 9:1-5; James 5:10-11; Genesis 37:3ff; 1Samuel 18:2ff; 1King9:1-18; Daniel 6:1-28; Acts 12:1ff; 13:45-51; 14:19; 16:19-24; 17:1ff; 2 Corinthians 11:20-22; 12:10; Mark 8:38; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:8, 11:12, 16-17; Galatians 4:28-29.
Conclusion
Persecution of those who are doing right by God, is as old as time. This is because men who do evil do not want their deeds to be known as evil, and so they would go to any length to discredit those who are doing and living right in the sight of God!
This then is the challenge for the believer: Would you join them in doing evil, rather than doing what is right, just because you may be laughed at, lose your job, or even your live to hired assassins? Would you keep silent in the face of injustice, just so that you can save your skin? Would you opt out of persecution so that you can live a �peaceful� life while here on earth? (Matthew 16:24-27)
Indeed there are rewards reserved for those who did not avoid persecution when it came to them (2 Timothy 4:2-8). Let us all live as Christians in this dark and perverse world even though we may be hated and reviled by others, remembering that those before us had gone throw the same thing; and they laid a basis for Christianity in this world. We have the challenge to build on what has been laid for us rather than laying again, another basis for Christianity. May the lord help us to live for him and not for ourselves, seeking to protect ourselves!
Back to all Bible Study Outline List