Beatitudes Part 8: Blessed are the Persecuted

Today, as we begin the Advent season, we a re finishing up series on the Beatitudes. I hope you’ve enjoyed them.

The other messages deal with the ingredients of Christian character.

This last one talks about the mistreatment the Christian can expect.

Matthew 5:3-12:

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

The first beatitude ends with the kingdom of heaven and so does the last one. This is a grammatical device used in ancient writings, called inclusio. 

In some ways this is the weirdest sounding beatitude. Being persecuted does not sound like a blessing. 

Especially when we consider that we are to show mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking.

The truth is some people will not be happy unless they are persecuting. Some people do not want to live in peace.

But look, blessed are the poor in spirit - those who recognise they need the Saviour, who are then persecuted for that decision to follow Jesus. Both get the reward - the Kingdom of heaven. A future hope. A future glory. Eternity with Jesus!

The Beatitude is in verse 10; expanded on in verses 11-12.

Jesus’ Examples of Persecution

Insulted: to be spoken disrespectfully; name calling.

Persecuted: oppressed and harassed. Rights eroded. People act violently towards you.

Lied about: "Live in such a way that people have to make things up about you." (Billy Sunday, sometimes attributed to Rick Warren).

You know, we love a good lie. We love a bit of gossip.

Proverbs 26:22: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. (See also Proverbs 18:8)

We find it easier to believe a lie about someone than the truth. It is our sinful nature at work. 

Situation in the UK

Kristie Higgs (School Worker). She was employed as a pastoral administrator/work-experience manager at a school Gloucestershire. She posted on her private Facebook page (under her maiden name) her objections to certain LGBT+ relationship and gender-identity teaching, calling it “brainwashing” and raising concern. After an anonymous complaint, she was dismissed for “gross misconduct.” However, in February 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled her dismissal was unlawfully discriminatory under the Equality Act; they said her dismissal was “disproportionate.” 

Pastor Keith Waters: He was a caretaker at a primary school and also a Christian pastor. He made a post (on Twitter) warning Christians and children against school “Pride Month” events, stating they “encourage activities that are contrary to Christian faith and morals.” He was served a final written warning, and later forced to resign. An employment tribunal later found that he had been discriminated against, and that the school did not act proportionately. 

Felix Ngole (Social Worker): In 2022 he was offered a job as a hospital discharge / mental health support worker, but after the charity discovered his views on homosexuality (via earlier legal/social media incidents), they withdrew the offer. He argued that this was religious discrimination. He’s appealing the decision.

According to Pearn Kandola data: 

• 82% of UK-based Christian employees who might wear religious dress or symbols choose not to.
• Of those who do wear religious symbols, 66% feel uncomfortable doing so.
• Only 55% say their organisation is supportive of taking time off for religious festivals. (https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/religious-expression-at-work-christians)

The squeeze is beginning.

The government wants to bring in an anti-Muslim hatred (Islamophobia) legislation. This has consequences for us as Christians and free speech in general.

• Christian groups worry that saying things like “Jesus is the only way to God” or disagreements with Islamic teachings might be construed as hateful.
• According to the Christian Institute, such a definition could blur the line between “hostility to a religion” (which is often theological debate) and “hatred of people” because of their faith.
• A Labour peer (Lord Glasman) has warned that people might feel they “can’t publicly question or criticise aspects of Islam” because of how the definition may be applied.
• Some argue that by giving Islam a special “protected status” via a custom definition, there’s a risk of something akin to a backdoor blasphemy law, where speech critical of Islam could be penalised or heavily discouraged.

The Reason for Persecution

Jesus gives reasons for the persecution of Christians. Other reasons are not really persecution.

10: “because of righteousness”

11:“because of me”

“But we must be sure that our suffering is not due to our own foolishness or disobedience.” - Warren Wiersbe

If we are persecuted for being a numpty, that is down to us.

We are persecuted because of Jesus, because of living a righteous life. Persecution always was & always will be alive & well for those who live righteous lives.

Need to thank God for the persecution - it means you are doing something right! 

Story: One of the most famous of all the martyrs was Polycarp, the aged Bishop of Smyrna who was killed in 156 a.d. The mob dragged him to the tribunal of the Roman magistrate. He was given the inevitable choice - sacrifice to the godhead of Caesar or die. Polycarp responded, “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and he has done me no wrong. how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” So they brought him to the stake, and he prayed his last prayer: “O Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy well-beloved and everlasting Son, by whom we have received the knowledge of you...I thank you that you have graciously thought me worthy of the day and of this hour.’" 

With those words Polycarp was burned at the stake.

Why Does God Allow this Persecution?
The one who is righteous is the conscience of society. 

If you are living righteously and following the Lord 100%, you are going to be different than those around you.

Now remember, this is not your ability to do good or be righteous. Our righteousness does not come for us. It is Christ’s righteousness, shown in us.
Philippians 3: 9: and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Your life will prick the conscience of others’.

“As we read the Beatitudes, we find that they represent an outlook radically different from that of the world. The world praises pride, not humility. The world endorses sin, especially if you “get away with it.” Warren Wiersbe.
 
But it is not you that they are really angry at, it is the Lord Jesus in you if you are living for Him.

Persecution can be God’s way of strengthening His children.
James 1: 2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Faith is strengthened during trials
Some of the strongest and fastest growing churches in the world are in nations where Christianity is illegal or where Christians are persecuted: China, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan.

1. North Korea — Christians risk imprisonment, torture, or even execution for their faith. 
2. Somalia - Extremely dangerous: Islamic extremism, conversion away from Islam can be punished by death.
3. Yemen - Severe persecution; conflict and extremist violence make it very dangerous to be a Christian. 
4. Libya - Instability + extremist attacks put Christians at high risk. 
5. Sudan - Long history of persecution under different regimes; Christian communities are under pressure. 
6. Eritrea - Authoritarian regime; Christians (especially evangelicals) face prison, forced labour.
7. Nigeria - Large numbers of Christians attacked, killed, kidnapped; violence from militant groups.
8. Pakistan - Blasphemy laws, discrimination, forced conversions are big issues. 
9. Iran - Converts from Islam are particularly at risk; also tight restrictions on Christian activity.
10. Afghanistan - Christians must hide their faith; conversion from Islam can lead to severe punishment. 
11. India - Rising attacks from nationalist groups; discrimination and violence against Christian minorities.
12. Saudi Arabia - Severe restrictions on public Christian worship, especially for non-Muslims.
13. Myanmar - Christian communities (especially ethnic Christians) caught in civil war and face attacks.
14. China - Crackdowns on “underground” churches; surveillance; restrictions on worship. 

According to Open Doors’ report, over 380 million Christians around the world face high levels of persecution or discrimination.

Don’t worry, only serious Christians are at risk of persecution.

Rejoice and be glad! 

Reason #1 – It is a confirmation of your salvation.

If you were blending in with the world there wouldn’t be anything to harass.

“The world is at war with God, while God is seeking to reconcile His enemies and make them His children. We must expect to be persecuted if we are living as God wants us to live.” - Warren Wiersbe

I think the question we need to ask: Why is the church in the UK not experiencing widespread persecution? we've enjoyed centuries where we would say we are Christian nation. But now the Church looks more like the world than the world does at times!

Reason #2 – You join the ranks of those who have gone on ahead:

Matthew 5:12: Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Hebrews 11:35b-40; 12:1-3: There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

“The King Himself came as the ‘suffering servant’ (Isaiah 53), as one who identified with humanity without altering his own relations to the Father. This confrontation led to the cross”. - Myron S. Ausburger

Jesus was crucified, the ultimate persecution. But remember as we begin this Advent season, Jesus is the Prince of Peace but also a refugee who escaped death as a baby (Matthew 2:13).

Does our relationship with the world alter our relationship with Jesus? Do we compromise to fit in, to be accepted.

James 4:4: You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Reason #3 – Remember that heaven awaits you.

10b: … for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11b: … great is your reward in heaven.

3. Romans 8:18: 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us

There is a special place in heaven for those who die for their faith (Revelation 20:4).

Landing this message:

Christianity is a faith worth living for, but it is also a faith worth dying for? tom definition, there’s a risk of something akin to a backdoor blasphemy law, where speech critical of Islam could be penalised or heavily discouraged.