0200-1 God Father

MATTHEW 5:1-12
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you....If I had not come
and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin”
(Jn.15:18, 22).
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim.3:12).

c. They shall suffer persecution because the world does not know God nor Christ. The ungodly of the world
want no God other than themselves and their own imaginations. They want to do just what they want—to
fulfill their own desires, not what God wishes and demands. However, the godly believer dedicates his life
to God, to His worship and service. The ungodly want no part of God; therefore, they oppose those who
talk about God and man’s duty to honor and worship God.

“But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not
him that sent me” (Jn.15:21).
“And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor
me” (Jn.16:3).

d. They shall suffer persecution because the world is deceived in its concept and belief of God. The world
conceives God to be the One who fulfills their earthly desires and lusts (Jn.16:2-3). Man’s idea of God is
that of a Supreme Grandfather. They think that God protects, provides, and gives no matter what a person’s
behavior is, just so the behavior is not too far out, that God will accept and work all things out in the final
analysis. However, the true believer teaches against this. God is love, but He is also just and demands
righteousness. The world rebels against this concept of God.

“They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, be-
cause they have not known the Father, nor me” (Jn.16:2-3).
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If
they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will
keep yours also” (Jn.15:20).
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you
out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he
doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not know the
Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may re-
member that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, be-
cause I was with you” (Jn.16:1-4).
“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are ap-
pointed thereunto” (1 Th.3:3).
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to
suffer for his sake” (Ph.1:29).
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim.3:12).
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 Jn.3:13).
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If
ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God res-
teth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (1 Pt.4:12-
14).

5. Persecutions can erupt from the most devilish imaginations of men (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—1 Pt.4:12 for a de-
scription of some of the sufferings of God’s dear people).
6. What is to be the believer’s attitude toward persecution?
a. It is not to be retaliation, pride, spiritual superiority.
b. It is to be joy and gladness (Mt.5:12; 2 Cor.12:10; 1 Pt.4:12-13).
7. The persecuted are promised great rewards.
a. The Kingdom of Heaven—now.
⇒ They experience a special honor (Acts 5:41).
⇒ They experience a special consolation (2 Cor.1:5).
⇒ They are given a very special closeness, a glow of the Lord’s presence (see note—1 Pt.4:14).
⇒ They become a greater witness for Christ (2 Cor.1:4-6).

b. The Kingdom of Heaven—eternally (Heb.11:35f; 1 Pt.4:12-13; see DEEPER STUDY # 3—Mt.19:23-24).
28
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30 | Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36 | Page 37 | Page 38 | Page 39 | Page 40 | Page 41 | Page 42 | Page 43 | Page 44 | Page 45 | Page 46 | Page 47 | Page 48 | Page 49 | Page 50 | Page 51