“Goodness Provokes Opposition!” Matthew 5:1-12

““Goodness Provokes Opposition!”Goodness Provokes Opposition!”

Matthew 5:1-12Matthew 5:1-12

Presently in the Presently in the state of Maryland state of Maryland a minor girl can a minor girl can get an abortion get an abortion

without parental without parental consent, but must consent, but must have permission have permission to have their ears to have their ears

pierced…pierced…

When Jesus was/is When Jesus was/is asked, “What asked, “What

must I do to be must I do to be happy and/or happy and/or content?” His content?” His reply has and reply has and

continues to puzzle continues to puzzle all inquirers…all inquirers…

2 Timothy 3:122 Timothy 3:12

““Everyone who wants to live a godly Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Purpose:Purpose:to better comprehend that to better comprehend that

standing for truth will provoke standing for truth will provoke oppositionopposition

Is Jesus calling upon us to be masochist, those Is Jesus calling upon us to be masochist, those who delight in being hurt? Are we being called who delight in being hurt? Are we being called

to a “Mission Impossible”?to a “Mission Impossible”?

II Why Genuine Christians Why Genuine Christians Provoke OppositionProvoke Opposition

A.A. Christians are DifferentChristians are Different

Samson was asked to Samson was asked to reveal the secret to reveal the secret to

his strength… his strength… eventually told eventually told

Delilah if his hair Delilah if his hair was shaved was shaved “…I “…I would become as would become as weak as any other weak as any other

man.man.”” (Judges 16:17)(Judges 16:17)

Gene Shelburne tells of a time made a call and Gene Shelburne tells of a time made a call and secretary answered. She said, “272-4664.” secretary answered. She said, “272-4664.”

“May I speak to Mr. Jones?” “May I ask who “May I speak to Mr. Jones?” “May I ask who is calling?” “Yes, 352-8876!”is calling?” “Yes, 352-8876!”

John 15:18John 15:18

““If you belonged to the world, it would If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is you do not love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world, I have chosen you belong to the world, I have chosen you

out of the world. That is why the out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”world hates you.”



B.B. Christians Rebuke Selfishness Christians Rebuke Selfishness and Sinand Sin

Luke 5:5-8Luke 5:5-8“… ‘“… ‘Master, we worked hard all night Master, we worked hard all night

and caught nothing, but at Your and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets.’ And bidding I will let down the nets.’ And

when they had done this, they enclosed when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish… But when a great quantity of fish… But when

Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Depart from me, Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Depart from me,

for I am a sinful man, O lord!’”for I am a sinful man, O lord!’”



B.B. Christians Rebuke Selfishness Christians Rebuke Selfishness and Sinand Sin

C.C. Christians InterfereChristians Interfere

IIII Persecution Must be ExpectedPersecution Must be Expected

A.A. Christians are ReviledChristians are Reviled

B.B. Christians are SlanderedChristians are Slandered

IIIIII What Must be Done About What Must be Done About PersecutionPersecution

A.A. Persecution – Indicates Persecution – Indicates Genuine CharacterGenuine Character

B.B. Persecution – Pathway to Persecution – Pathway to GrowthGrowth

C.C. Persecution – Leads to Persecution – Leads to Larger UsefulnessLarger Usefulness

Conclusion and Summary:Conclusion and Summary:In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, “Beware when all men “Beware when all men

speak well of you.”speak well of you.” Genuine faith has and will Genuine faith has and will always provoke opposition. Thus, our Lord’s always provoke opposition. Thus, our Lord’s appeal here is a call to you and me to share in appeal here is a call to you and me to share in

His nature. This appeal doesn’t suggest His nature. This appeal doesn’t suggest exemption from persecution. The exact exemption from persecution. The exact

opposite is true. But, if we dare to face such opposite is true. But, if we dare to face such opposition, the end will be victory. We will opposition, the end will be victory. We will

have a deeper faith and a fuller usefulness. We have a deeper faith and a fuller usefulness. We will be enabled to “feel at home” with the will be enabled to “feel at home” with the

saints of old – those who have washed their saints of old – those who have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb!robes white in the blood of the Lamb!

““The Son of God Goes Forth to War”The Son of God Goes Forth to War”

The Son of God goes forth to war, The Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain; A kingly crown to gain;

His blood-red His blood-red banner streams afar: banner streams afar: Who follows in His train? Who follows in His train?

Who best can drink His Who best can drink His cup of woe, cup of woe,

Triumphant over pain, Triumphant over pain, Who patient bears His cross Who patient bears His cross below, below,

He follows in His train. He follows in His train.

““The Son of God Goes Forth to War”The Son of God Goes Forth to War”

A noble army, men and boys, A noble army, men and boys, The matron and the maid, The matron and the maid, Around the Savior’s Around the Savior’s throne rejoice, In throne rejoice, In

robes of light arrayed: robes of light arrayed: They climbed the steep ascent They climbed the steep ascent

of heaven Through of heaven Through peril, toil and pain; peril, toil and pain;

O God, to us may grace be O God, to us may grace be given To follow given To follow

in their train.in their train.

Documents

“Goodness Provokes Opposition!” Matthew 5:1-12