PERSECUTION

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10 NKJV).

Persecution of Christians is increasing in every area of our world. Our verse is therefore needed as a source of comfort today since we will all, sooner or later face some real persecution. Thus we want to note the character of persecution, the cause of persecution and the compensation for persecution.

Character of persecution – The word “persecuted” tells us three things about persecution: pursuit, painfulness, and persistency of persecution. First, pursuit. The word translated “persecuted” means to pursue, follow after, and chase. Persecution is aggressive. It hunts down its victims. This is what Paul was doing before his conversion. Second, painfulness. The meaning of the word also involves cruelty. Persecution is not polite and courteous. It is brutal and bloody. Third, persistency. The word “persecution” is in the perfect tense in the Greek which describes past action that continues into the present. Persecution is persistent.

Cause of persecution – “For righteousness’ sake.” Godly conduct may not always be applauded. The apostle states in 2 Tim. 3:12, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Nevertheless, we must not let this fact stop our holy living; the compensations for being persecuted will make it all worthwhile.

Compensation for persecution – “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is a royal, rich, and righteous blessing. First, royal. Kingdoms belong to royalty. This blessing does not make one a subject of a kingdom but a possessor of a kingdom. In 2 Tim. 2:12 we read, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” This is the nature of the blessing. Second, rich. To possess a kingdom implies riches. The kingdom of heaven will endow its possessor with greater riches than anything this earth can give. Third, righteous. Earthly kingdoms corrupt. But heavenly things do not. This blessing helps our character.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“When by the malice of enemies God’s people are brought to greatest straits there is deliverance near to be sent from God unto them!”

David Dickson (1583 - 1663)

Scottish Minister and Theologian

Word Study

Estate

In Luke 15:12 we read, “The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them” (NASB).

Estate is the Geek word ousía (οὐσία =oo-see'-ah). The word means what one has, and can be property, goods, and wealth. In classical Greek ousía meant what one owns and could be both material and immaterial things. In the Septuagint, ousía was used to represent all that an individual owned, the entire estate. In the New Testament, ousía was also used to describe what one owns whether it be property, goods, or wealth. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son asked his father to give him his share of the “estate.” The father agreed to this highly unusual request, and the boy set off for a distant country. He then proceeded to waste his “wealth” in prodigal or loose living (Luke 15:13). And just as the father in the parable received back his wayward son, so the Heavenly Father lovingly receives back all those who return to Him in repentance.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt” (Isa. 10:24 KJV).

Did You Know…

The Lord Jesus and His disciples did not support themselves by doing miracles. They were supported by grateful people, two of whom were Joanna and Susanna (Luke 8:3).

Bible Quiz

Where did Elisha instruct Naaman the leper to wash himself?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to Hebrews, whom does the Lord discipline? Those He loves (Heb. 12:5-6).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“GIFT OF GOD”

"Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water!” (John 4:10 NKJV).

1. Meaning – GIFT OF GOD speaks of the Lord Jesus as the One given to a lost, thirsty, and dying world.

2. Insights – The word “gift” means it is freely given, it is not earned and is not deserved. In a real sense the Lord Jesus is the ultimate Gift from the Father. God’s gift is His only begotten Son through whom we may receive eternal life (3:16). The Lord Jesus is the gift and the source of all that salvation brings. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15).

Did You Know – Christian History

Charles Simeon was born September 24, 1759 in Reading, Berkshire, England. He was an English Evangelical Anglican cleric.

Simeon’s father was a successful lawyer and he was sent to Eton College at age 8. After Eton, he went to King’s College, Cambridge. Although raised in a nominally Anglican family, Simeon had no real religious interests until he had a conversion experience at King’s College.

In 1782, at the age of twenty-two, Simeon was appointed vicar of Holy Trinity, Cambridge. He continued to serve for the next fifty-four years, in spite of prolonged opposition because of the appeal of his preaching. The pews sat half empty because the people boycotted him. College students interrupted his services and spread evil rumors about him. In spite of this opposition, Simeon persevered. He preached directly from the Word of God and his preaching attracted new people to the church who sat in the aisles or on window ledges. Thirty years, later, however, he still faced elements of revolt.

Simeon was not only a gifted preacher, he also divided up the parish into pastoral care groups, each overseen by a layperson. To help fellow preachers, Simeon published sermon outlines on the whole Bible. The complete series ran to 21 volumes. Despite all this, Simeon became a leader of the Evangelicals in the Church of England. He helped formed the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, the Church Missionary Society, and other influential Evangelical organizations. However, Simeon’s greatest contribution to the Church of England was that he served as mentor to hundreds of young men who entered the priesthood. With Simeon’s encouragement and guidance, hundreds of Cambridge undergraduates sought ordination in the Church of England and went on to become parish priests and missionaries.

Further, by helping in the appointment of evangelical chaplains to India, Simeon encouraged the gospel’s spread in that country when the East India Company would not allow missionaries. Among his protégés was Henry Martyn, famed as a missionary and Bible translator. Faithful pastor Simeon preached until two months before his death; he died on November 12, 1836.

A Little Humor

When James Rowles was in seminary, he was invited to preach at a small rural church. However, the man who was to introduce him to the congregation had trouble pronouncing his name. So James offered this verbal clue: “Remember rolls, like hot buttered rolls.” When it came time for the introduction, the man announced, “We are pleased to have with us the Reverend James Biscuits.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Justification means man’s guilt gone and Christ’s goodness given!”