Rejoice and Be Glad | Blake Houston

Matthew 5:11-12 NIV

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.

 

Jesus never calls you to surrender more than He satisfies with Himself.

 

Romans 8:18 NIV

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

 

The Good Life According to Jesus

I. The Good Life is Personal.

 

Matthew 5:11 NIV

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

 

When the world makes it personal against you, Jesus makes it personal for you.

 

John 15:18-19 NIV

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

 

The Good Life According to Jesus

II. The Good Life is Painful.

 

Matthew 5:11 NIV

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

 

2 Timothy 3:12 NIV

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

 

"To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men." - A.W. Tozer

 

If following Jesus never costs you, you're probably not following Him closely enough.

 

1 Peter 4:14 NIV

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

  

The Good Life According to Jesus

III. The Good Life is Joyful.

 

Matthew 5:12 NIV

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.

 

1 Peter 1:8 NIV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

 

Joy isn't the absence of pain; it's the presence of Christ.

  

The Good Life According to Jesus

IV. The Good Life is Worth It.

 

Matthew 5:12 NIV

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.

 

Revelation 5:12 NIV

12 “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

 

Jesus is worthy.