Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.



Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. We are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness sake, (because of truth, godliness and working for justice) for it is the mark that we are part of the Kingdom and the worldly Kingdom is at war with the Kingdom of God and in the end we will be rewarded in heaven.



Notes:

What should you expect from life if you are a faithful follower of Jesus?




What is persecution?
Persecution is when we are persecuted and insulted for righteousness sake - Because we are connected to Jesus.




Why will Christians always be persecuted?

Truth

Holiness

Justice

Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted?




Are we ready to seek him NOW?