1. Blessed (Matthew 5:10)

“Blessed”: Happy, supremely blessed; a condition in which congratulations is in order; the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences Salvation

2. Persecution [Gk: dioko]

a. (1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away (2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to pursue (in a hostile manner) (3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute; to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something

b. Revelation 12:13

c. Matthew 5:44

d. Matthew 10:23

e. John 15:26

f. Romans 12:14

g. 1 Corinthians 4:12

h. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

3. Rejoice and be Exceedingly Glad (Matthew 5:11-12)

a. The cause of persecution is loyalty to Righteousness (Matthew 5:11)

b. Vengeance is the Lord’s (Romans 12:17-21)

c. Great is your reward in Heaven (Matthew 5:12)

d. To Rejoice invites an Eternal Perspective

(1) Luke 10:20

(2) John 8:56

(3) John 16:20,22

(4) 1 Corinthians 13:6

(5) 2 Corinthians 13:9

(6) 1 Peter 4:13

(7) Revelation 19:7