Blessed Are the Persecuted Part Two

Matthew 5:11–12 (NLT) — 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you (NIV says insults you) and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. 

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT) — 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Matthew 5:13–16 (NLT) — 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 

Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) — 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 

Luke 17:1 (NKJV) — 1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 

Proverbs 18:19 (NLT) — 19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. 

1. Choose to _______________  __________ _____________. 

Proverbs 10:12 (CEV) — 12 Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do. 

Proverbs 12:16 (TEV) When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Wise people will ignore an insult. 

Proverbs 19:11 (NLT) — 11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 

2. Keep my __________  ___________ from bitterness and __________________. 

Luke 11:4 (TLB) “And forgive our sins—for we have forgiven those who sinned against us.” 

Colossians 3:13 (NLT) You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” ~ Lewis B. Smedes 

3. __________, __________, and ______  _________ to them. 

Matthew 5:38-41 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” 

Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” 

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” 

1 Peter 3:9 (NCV) Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. 

Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look to good, not talk too wise

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue

Or walk with Kings—not lose the common touch, 

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all mean count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, 

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, 

And—which is more—you’ll be a man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling – Author of the Jungle Book