Sunday Service (2)

Sunday Service: Against All Odds

(05-30-2021) Ptr. Lynard Molo

=Against All Odds=

*Matthew 5:10-12
"10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed
-unshakeable joy rooted and based in the assurance of God's blessings.

Persecuted
-pursue, chase or harass

*Matthew 24:9
"9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."

Righteousness
-means more than just a "good person".
-complete adjustment of life toward God and His will.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Insult
-act in a way or say something that is offensive or rude to someone.

Persecute
-physical abuse, such as imprisonment or death sentence.

*1 Peter 4:14
"14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."

*1 Peter 3:16
"16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Where do persecutions happen?
1. In the family (Luke 21:16-19)
"16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
17 All men will hate you because of me.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By standing firm you will gain life.

2. In social life.
3. In workplace.

"Obey and honor Christ-- survival was secondary."
-Tertullian

"Don't be an 'accessory to the crime'"

How should believers respond to this persecution?
*

Matthew 5:12
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.

*Revelation 3:5
"5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels."

*Matthew 24:12-13
"12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.