• Home
    • Resources
    • The Gospel
    • Statement of Faith
    • Church Finder
    • Homemaking Courses
    • Privacy Policy
  • About
    • About Me
    • My Church Home
    • The Bar Podcast Network
    • My Favorite Blogging & Podcast Tools
  • Start Here
  • Free Library
    • Sign Up for Access
    • Enter Library (password required)
    • Meal Planning PDF
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Homemaking Courses
    • TH Gear
    • Amazon Shop (Books, Home Items & More!)
    • Journals & Notebooks
    • Free Library
  • Top 10 Book List
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Thankful Homemaker

Gospel-Driven Encouragement for Homemakers

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Homemaking
    • Menu Planning Made Easy Course
  • Marriage
    • Marriage Series
  • Motherhood
  • Christian Living
    • Spiritual Disciplines Series
    • Sermon on the Mount
  • Homemaking Courses
  •  

EP 104: Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted (Sermon on the Mount Series – Matthew 5:10-12)

by Marci Ferrell
Bible Study Christian Living Podcast Sermon on the Mount Theology

55 shares
  • Facebook31
  • Twitter

I’d love to help you simplify your meal planning. Check out my new menu planning course here.

Blessed are those who are persecuted

We are coming to a climax today as we finish the last of the beatitudes in our series on the Sermon on the Mount.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:10-12

Sinclair Ferguson stated on Matthew 5:10-12:

“The climax to the Beatitudes almost seems to be an anti-climax. It takes us back to where we started—the promise of the kingdom of God. We are told that we will be persecuted. Perhaps Jesus realized how surprised this might seem to his disciples, so he emphasized his point by applying it directly to his followers.

Sinclair Ferguson

As we hunger and thirst for righteousness, it will lead us to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. A true Christian will suffer persecution in one form or another.

Jesus is telling us we are going to be persecuted for doing what's right. A true Christian will suffer persecution in one form or another. Click to Tweet

Jesus is telling us we are going to be persecuted for doing what's right. The gospel is offensive. Now, as peacemakers, we desire to share the gospel of peace with those outside the kingdom. Sharing the gospel will not make us too many friends.

When we're loyal to Christ, it will cause a rise up in those who are not loyal to Christ.

Sinclair Ferguson

Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasizes why citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are persecuted writing that it is “Because he is fundamentally different, and the non-Christian recognizes this. The Christian is not just like everybody else with a slight difference. He is essentially different; he has a different nature and he is a different man.” 


Listen to the Podcast Below:

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON YOUR FAVORITE APP

Related Links:

Sermon on the Mount Series

Questions to Examine Yourself to See if You are in the Faith

Ultimate Homemaking Binder

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones

The Sermon on the Mount by Sinclair Ferguson

Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand


Show Notes:

“I never knew by my nine years of preaching so much of Christ’s love, as he taught me in Aberdeen by six months imprisonment.” 

~ Samuel Rutherford

“We also must understand that persecution itself is neither blessed or joyous. However, there is a kind of persecution that has God’s blessing and results in joy.”

~ R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount

“How they (are) persecuted by nominal, religious people! That was also the story of the Puritan Fathers. This is the teaching of the Bible, and it has been substantiated by the history of the Church, that the persecution may come, not from the outside but from within. 

There are ideas of Christianity far removed from the New Testament which are held by many and which cause them to persecute those who are trying in sincerity and truth to follow the Lord Jesus Christ along the narrow way. You may well find it in your own personal experience. 

I have often been told by converts that they get much more opposition from supposedly Christian people than they do from the man of the world outside, who is often glad to see them changed and wants to know something about it. Formal Christianity is often the greatest enemy of the pure faith.”

~ Martyn Lloyd Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Loyalty arouses their consciences, and leaves them with only two alternatives: follow Christ, or silence Him.

Sinclair Ferguson

“Jesus assumes that his people will show these hallmarks. But because they are so contrary to our natural dispositions, he wants to stress that this really is the way to blessing. It is not the rich, the happy, the forceful, the merciless, who are truly blessed. It is the poor in spirit, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they see their lack of it; these alone know God’s blessing, and as a result, his many Beatitudes! So, it is important that we should think further about the blessing that Jesus promises to us. When we look at the blessings, we discover the reason it is appropriate to consider them together. 

They belong together, as parts of a whole. Just as all the marks of the kingdom’s presence must be seen in our lives, so the blessings of the Beatitudes belong together. Jesus makes this plain by beginning and ending the Beatitudes with the same promised blessing: Theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. In verses 4-9 this chief blessing is further explained and illustrated in a series of six specific blessings: comfort (v4), inheriting the earth (v5), being filled (v6), receiving mercy (v7), seeing God (v8) and being called sons of God (v9).

In its simplest terms, Jesus’ teaching means this: his disciples have already—here and now—entered into the kingdom. Yes, it is still to be consummated. Yes, it is still to be revealed in its final glory. Yes, we will still wait for the day when the loud voices will say, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever' (Rev 11:15). Nevertheless, all the blessings that are expected in that kingdom in the future, are already being experienced by Christ’s people now!” 

~ Sinclair Ferguson, The Sermon on the Mount

“This brings us to the end of our exposition of this eighth and last beatitude. We should add a word now for those who are not and who never will be great martyrs for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. That includes most of us. What about us? Well, we may be certain that God sees the little martyrs as well as the great ones, and that he is as pleased—as sometimes more pleased—with the small sacrifices and small insults patiently borne for his sake as he is with far more spectacular persecutions. 

It may take more grace and it may be a greater victory for a man to spend forty years of his life at the same desk in the same office watching other men being promoted over him because he will not do some of the things that are demanded of officers in his company than it would take for John Hus to be burned at the stake for his testimony. And it may be more of a victory for a housewife to stay at home, raising her family in the things of the Lord while her nit-picking neighbors laugh at her for being humdrum and unglamorous, than it would be for a Joan of Arc to die a Rouen.

We may all take comfort in this, and turn to Christ for the victory. If we have not known persecution, even in little ways, let us search our hearts before Him. And let us ask for that righteousness of character that will either repel men or draw them to our blessed Savior. 

~ James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount

“This is because we belong to God, because we are His children. It is a privilege to suffer for our Lord and to identify with him in this way.”

~ Susan J. Heck, With the Master on the Mount

“What then will it be like for such saints the first thirty seconds in Heaven? The first half hour? The first day? The first 10,000 years? Certainly Christians’ persecutions for the sake of righteousness are “as sails to a ship or wings to a bird” in the voyage through life—and on to heaven.”

~ R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount

Scripture References:

  • Matthew 5:10-12
  • John 15:18
  • Acts 5:41
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5
  • 1 Peter 4:15-16
  • Matthew 5:3
  • Ephesians 1:1
  • Ephesians 1:3
  • Galatians 1:4
  • 1 Corinthians 10:11
  • Philippians 1:29
  • Luke 17:10
  • Hebrews 11:6
  • Hebrews 11:1
  • Romans 8:25
  • Hebrews 11:25-26
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17

Recommended Resources:

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd Jones

Sermon on the Mount The: Matthew 5-7 Expositional Commentary by James Montgomery Boice

Matthew 1-7 MacArthur New Testament Commentary by John MacArthur

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle

The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom (ESV Edition) by R. Kent Hughes

Sermon on the Mount by Sinclair Ferguson

The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 by Thomas Watson

The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott

Sermon on the Mount Teaching Series by Sinclair Ferguson at Ligonier Connect

The Beatitudes by R.C. Sproul at Ligonier Connect

The Beatitudes from 50,000 Feet Sermon by Alistair Begg

The Only Way to Happiness: Endure Persecution Part 1 – Sermon by John MacArthur

The Only Way to Happiness: Endure Persecution Part 2 – Sermon by John MacArthur

Logos Bible Software

Bible Memory App

Study Guide for Sermon on the Mount



 Recent Posts

  • A New Resource for Sharing the Gospel with Dale Partridge from MailtheGospel.org
  • Free Summertime Planning Guide
  • Homemaking for the Glory of God
  • EP 123: How Should We Give? (Matthew 6:1-4 – Sermon on the Mount Series)
  • 25 Thoughtful Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Related posts:

  1. EP 87: The Riches of Poverty (Matthew 5:3 – Sermon on the Mount Series)
  2. EP 92: Blessed are the Merciful (Matthew 5:7 – Sermon on the Mount Series)
  3. EP 89: Blessed are the Meek (Matthew 5:5 – Sermon on the Mount Series)
  4. EP 88: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn (Matthew 5:4 – Sermon on the Mount Series)


Free Resource Library

Get more posts like this in your inbox!

And while you’re at it, you’ll receive access to our FREE library of resources to help you in your homemaking!.

(I will not spam you. Read my privacy policy.)

« EP 103: Simple Tips to Read More Books
EP 105: Practical Steps to Overcome Self Pity »
WEEKLY HOME CLEANING SCHEDULE SIDEBAR AD

Welcome to Thankful Homemaker

So thankful you’ve stopped by for a visit. Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit a bit. I hope to remind you that contentment in our role as homemakers begins with finding our satisfaction in Christ.

read more…

MENU PLANNING MADE EASY SIDEBAR AD

Categories

  • Bible Study
  • Christian Living
  • Holidays
  • Homemaking
  • Marriage
  • Menu Planning
  • Motherhood
  • Podcast
  • Time Management

thankfulhomemaker

Marci Ferrell
By affliction, Christ . . .⁣ shows us our empti By affliction, Christ . . .⁣
 shows us our emptiness and weakness,⁣
 draws us to the throne of grace,⁣
 purifies our affections,⁣
 weans us from the world,⁣
 and makes us long for Heaven.⁣
~ J.C Ryle
This simple free eight-page guide is meant to help This simple free eight-page guide is meant to help you think through your summertime schedule for your family. As you walk through it you'll determine what your family loves to do, leave room for spontaneity, and put together a simple daily routine to help your days run a bit smoother. ⁣
⁣
There are some summertime meal planning tips and a printable with ideas to put on your family's bucket list for summer and maybe spark new ones of your own! ⁣
⁣
Come download your free 8-page summertime guide here and get access to our whole library of printables when you do.
Such a good conversation with Dale Partridge from Such a good conversation with Dale Partridge from @relearnhq about his new Gospel Project called MailtheGospel.org. You can get the gospel to anyone anywhere.
So appreciate @reagantrose (I do recommend you fol So appreciate @reagantrose (I do recommend you follow friends if you don’t yet!)- link to the podcast episode we talked about Homemaking to the Glory of God in my profile @thankfulhomemaker 

Repost from @reagantrose 
Godliness > Your Plans⁠
The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.⁣
~ Henry Ward Beecher⁣
⁣
Come listen to EP 32: Preparing Our Families for Sunday Morning Worship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
How many times does Sunday morning roll around and How many times does Sunday morning roll around and you find your heart in a state of chaos instead of calm to worship the Lord?  How many Sundays do you arrive at church and realize you haven’t taken the time all week to pray for your pastor or your church family? ⁣
⁣
I want to share with you some simple steps we can take to prepare our hearts and the hearts of our families for Sunday morning worship to the Lord. ⁣
⁣
The hope today is to get you to understand the purpose and the mission of the local church and then to move on toward how we can proceed with some simple steps to prepare our hearts and the hearts of our families for Sunday morning worship to the Lord.⁣
⁣
Come listen to EP 32: Preparing Our Families for Sunday Morning Worship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
"Home is the true wife's kingdom. ⁣ ⁣ Very lar "Home is the true wife's kingdom. ⁣
⁣
Very largely does the wife hold in her ⁣
hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness ⁣
and the highest good of the hearts that ⁣
nestle there. In the last analysis, home ⁣
happiness depends on the wife. ⁣
⁣
Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere. ⁣
⁣
Her hands fashion its beauty. ⁣
⁣
Her heart makes its love. ⁣
⁣
And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, ⁣
that no woman who has been called to be a wife, ⁣
and has listened to the call, should consider any⁣
price too great to pay, to be . . .⁣
 the light,⁣
 the joy,⁣
 the blessing,⁣
 the inspiration, ⁣
of a home. ⁣
⁣
The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, ⁣
filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing ⁣
something better than anything else her hands ⁣
could find to do beneath the skies.⁣
⁣
A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of ⁣
home happiness. God sends many beautiful things ⁣
to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is ⁣
richer than that which He bestows in a mother who ⁣
has learned love's lessons well, and has realized ⁣
something of the meaning of her sacred calling."⁣
⁣
~ J. R. Miller, "Secrets of Happy Home Life"
Friends 😊 - I'm so excited to share a conversat Friends 😊 - I'm so excited to share a conversation all about the Gospel with Dale Partridge from @relearnhq⁣
⁣
Please join us on IG live tomorrow (June 21st) at 5:30 PM CST/ 3:30 PST and learn about Dale's new project to help equip us to share the Gospel with anyone, anywhere!⁣
⁣
Please join us!
Summer is a natural time for me to get off my rout Summer is a natural time for me to get off my routine of menu planning. In the winter, we're more apt to stick to a schedule, but summer brings about a more flexible and changing calendar. ⁣
⁣
I'm sharing some simple tips that have been a help to me and hopefully, they'll help you in planning your summertime meals. Menu planning is a time and money saver, and I don't know about you, but I would sure like to have more time to enjoy my summer months.⁣
⁣
Come listen to EP 77: Simple Summertime Meal Planning Tips at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Access the FREE Library!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 Thankful Homemaker · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Copyright © 2022 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email