Overview

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of
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__________________ righteousness, the pursuit (and practice within) of God who releases forgiveness, His loving kindness and dispenses justice on those who call upon His name. 1 Peter 3:14-17 18- Christ died for them also.

the Reception: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Specific
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Blessed are you when 1) people insult you Examples of: 2) persecute you, Examples of: See verse 10

3) falsely say all kinds of evil against you Examples of: because of ___________ Me. During

At the Center:
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;(repeat of verse 10)
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for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(Hebrews 11:32-38), Romans 14:17 1 Peter 4:12-19 Peter uses the word degree (but to the degree) We have little clue to what suffering to the degree of Christ is. Examples of Paul: 2 Cor. 11:25 Stephen: Acts 7:54,

Similar passages: 1 Peter 3:7, James 1:2-4,12

Examples of those who endured such persecution: Hebrews 11:32-38, 1 Peter 2:12-20

The starting point shall be: Hebrews 12:1-3 He endured such hostility for you, so that you will not grow weary.

The Church In Acts the church faced persecution and it grew. The church lived Loving God and Loving others. The church today must be committed to Loving God and loving others.

In our culture we have a lot of freedoms, I wonder if by living with such freedoms hinders us from experiencing persecution. Persecution tests our faith, realigns our core beliefs and establishes perseverance.