The Persecuted

Finally, Jesus called blessed those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Obviously, He was speaking of people who are living righteously, not just those who think that Christ's righteousness has been imputed to them. People who obey Christ's commandments are the ones whom nonbelievers persecute. They will inherit God's kingdom.

What kind of persecution was Jesus talking about? Torture? Martyrdom? No, He specifically listed being insulted and spoken against on His account. This again indicates that when a person is a true Christian, it is obvious to nonbelievers, otherwise nonbelievers wouldn't say evil things against him. How many so-called Christians are so indistinguishable from nonbelievers that not a single unbeliever speaks against them? They are not really Christians at all. As Jesus said, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). When all men speak well of you, that's a sign that you're a false believer. The world hates true Christians (see also John 15:18-21; Gal. 4:29; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 John 3:13-14).

Provide a toilet for Makanka

Problem: Makanka is from Zimbabwe and she has Spina Bifida. Her family has a hole in their backyard they use for a toilet but it is too difficult for Makanka to use by herself.

Solution: An indoor Western-style toilet will allow Makanka to use the toilet by herself without injury.

Still Needed: $245. Any size
gift will help.

•     The Sermon on the Mount
•     Jesus Gathers His Audience
•     The Blessings and Character Traits
•     The Character Traits of the Blessed
•     The Mournful
•     The Gentle
•     Hungering for Righteousness
•     The Merciful
•     The Pure in Heart
•     The Peacemakers
•     The Persecuted
•     Salt and Light
•     The Law's Relationship to Christ's Followers
•     The Importance of Keeping the Law
•     Of What Kind of Righteousness Was Jesus Speaking?
•     How to be Holier than the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Love Each Other, Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Be Sexually Pure, Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Another Way to Commit Adultery
•     A Different View
•     Be Honest, Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Don't Take Revenge, as do the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Don't Hate Your Enemies, as do the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Do Good for the Right Motives, Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees
•     Prayer and Fasting for the Right Reasons
•     A Digression Regarding Prayer and Forgiveness
•     The Model Prayer Continues
•     The Disciple and His Material Possessions
•     The Bad Eye
•     The Covetous Poor
•     Don't be a Fault-Finder
•     Encouragement to Pray
•     A Summarizing Statement
•     How to Recognize False Religious Leaders
•     A Final Warning and Summary
•     Answer to a Question