Sermon XXXIV - Principles for Suffering - Matthew 5:10
the sin of persecuting righteousness, perhaps more than any other kingdom. We should be cautious because we ourselves have been persecuted in the past. We have made significant professions of faith lately, and we have committed ourselves to the way. When we align ourselves with the saints and become part of their community, we need to be wary of persecution.
Lastly, in these times, it is futile to persecute because there is so much light and revelation. Many people not only make professions but also have a genuine work of God within them. Persecution will not prevail now. In Revelation 14:13, it is written, "Blessed are they who die in the Lord or for the Lord." The Spirit says, "Write it down from now on." Flesh and blood may not reason that those who suffer for the Lord are blessed, but the Spirit confirms it. The judgment of the Spirit differs from the judgment of the world.
SERMON XXXIV
OR Principles for Suffering "Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10
I won't dwell on what has already been discussed. Instead, I will present some principles for suffering, that is, certain considerations that may assist God's people in being willing and able to endure suffering for the sake of righteousness. We don't know what God may
call us to face, and to some extent, everyone who is godly experiences suffering at some point in their lives. Therefore, the first principle to equip Christians for suffering is to view ourselves as sent into the world for the purpose of bearing witness to the truth. That is the primary principle. It should be seen as the great end for which we were born and continue to live - to be witnesses of God and His truth. If it was Christ's purpose and He regarded it as the reason for His coming into the world, then we have every reason to consider it ours as well. In John 18:37, it is clearly stated, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." It is a significant scripture, and those who profess to be Christ's disciples should make good use of it. If the purpose of our birth and existence is to eat, drink, and live splendidly in this world, then we have missed the mark. We were born for a higher and nobler purpose - to bear witness to God's truth. If that was the purpose of our birth, then it is fitting for God to call us to bear witness in any way, whether through doing or suffering. We should be willing to do it, for we fulfill the purpose for which we were born in doing so. Above all, witnessing for the truth through suffering is the most glorious witness. As Cyprian said concerning the persecuted martyrs, "They confessed with a glorious voice."
When people confess the truth with words that come from their hearts, God accepts it. But when they bear witness to the truth through suffering, it is a glorious profession of the truth and a Christian fulfills the purpose for which they were born. That is the first principle for enduring suffering.
The second suffering principle is this: it is better to lose for God than to enjoy for ourselves. If Christians firmly establish these principles within themselves, they will find it easy to endure anything for the sake of Christ. It is better for a person with wealth to lose it for God than to enjoy it for themselves. It is better to lose our liberties for
God than to enjoy them for ourselves. It is better to lose our reputation, honour, pleasure, and delights for God than to enjoy them for ourselves. I recall that Pliny, in his Dedication Epistle to Vespatian, spoke of a heathen, Cato, who professed that he took more joy in giving up his estate for the cause of justice than in what he possessed. Shall a heathen profess to find more joy in what he sacrifices for the sake of justice than in what he possesses? Shouldn't
Christians consider it even better to part with anything in order to honour God and serve Him, rather than to enjoy it for themselves?
When someone is called to suffer, they should consider what they may have to give up. For example, they might think, "I have wealth, and I could live comfortably. Should I lose it now for this cause?" But my friend, if you consider it as loss for God, it becomes the most valuable part of your wealth. If a person loses a limb for their country, that part of their body is considered more beautiful than any other. I recall a story from Ecclesiastical Histories, which tells of Constantine entering a council and seeing a man who had lost his eye for the sake of his faith. Constantine immediately approached him and kissed that place, considering it the most beautiful part of his face. Christians should view it in the same way and give thanks to God not only when they have wealth, credit, esteem, liberty, or life, but especially when they are called to part with these things for the sake of God. In losing these things for God, I am now a happier person than I ever was in my life while possessing them. This may seem mysterious and puzzling to those with worldly hearts, but only those who are truly gracious and godly understand the meaning of this principle.
Thirdly, whoever suffers for God is in a better position than their persecutors. For instance, when you read about the martyrs who were brought before their persecutors, the persecutors appeared grand, sitting in their splendid attire, speaking freely, enjoying
themselves fully, and commanding respect from the people. They seemed impressive. But a group of poor Christians, coming out of prison, stood before them, trembling and dressed in rags, and defended their lives. Many poor people might think that these wretched individuals, standing in such a pitiable condition in the eyes of the world, are in the worst state, while the persecutors are fortunate. However, a Christian sees things quite differently. They perceive the persecutors as the most miserable, wretched, forsaken, and ruined creatures, while the saints are viewed as the most glorious beings. The Holy Ghost's judgment of the suffering saints is evident in Hebrews 11:37, "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented." Although flesh and blood may consider them miserable, mark what the Holy
Spirit's judgment is: "Of whom the world was not worthy." The suffering saints who wandered in sheepskins and goatskins were so blessed that the world was not worthy of them. The persecutors, on the other hand, were vile. I recall the description of Antiochus
Epiphanes, who, despite being a powerful prince, is called a vile person because he persecuted the saints. The Spirit of God refers to those who were persecuted as individuals whom the world was not worthy of.
Fourthly, it is far better to suffer for Christ than to suffer for sin. This consideration holds significant power. When you are called to endure something for the cause of Christ, you may think, "The Lord might have left me to suffer as much for my sin, for my wickedness, as I am now called to suffer for Jesus Christ. I may be required to endure the loss of a portion of my wealth. But I could have faced conviction for my sin and had my estate taken away by the hand of Justice. I am in prison, but I might have been imprisoned for my wickedness. My life is in danger, but God could have allowed me to commit a sin that
would have led to my life being taken by the hand of Justice. How much better is it for me to stand here and suffer for Christ, which I could have suffered for my sin? Even in the face of danger, I testify my allegiance to Christ. I might have faced peril through my sin. Oh, how blessed it is to suffer for Christ rather than the alternative!" This consideration carries great weight.
Fifthly, God may make me suffer against my will. If I find any reluctance in myself to come forward and suffer for Christ, I may be forced to do so against my own desires. What comfort will I have then? How much better is it to suffer freely and willingly for Jesus
Christ than to be compelled to suffer, in which case there will be no exercise of grace, but I will be merely passive? I remember a story from the Book of Martyrs about a blacksmith who played a role in converting another person to the truth during King Edward's reign.
However, during Queen Mary's reign, the persecutors arrested the converted individual. The blacksmith, who was the cause of the person's conversion, wondered how he had managed to escape persecution. He sent word to the persecuted individual, confessing that what he had said was true, but he could not bear to burn.
However, later on, by some accident, the blacksmith's house caught fire, and he burned to death in his own home. So, whether he wanted to or not, Christ made him burn. How much better it would have been for this man to burn for Christ! If you are unwilling to suffer any loss of your wealth for Christ, He can make you suffer. He can set fire to your houses or take away your possessions through providence. He can afflict you with diseases and afflictions. If you are reluctant to risk yourself for Him, He can impose greater evils upon you than those you were called to suffer for His name's sake.
Consider this: God can make you suffer, whether you like it or not. It is far better, therefore, to willingly and readily offer ourselves to suffer for Jesus Christ.
Sixthly, no creature possesses any good in it unless it is enjoyed in God and used for God's purposes. This is the sixth principle for enduring suffering. When God grants me the use of a creature and I enjoy it in God's love and favor, then there is some good in it. If I can utilize it in any way to honor and glorify God, then it brings true comfort. However, if these two aspects are absent in any creature enjoyed by anyone in the world, then there is no good in it; it is merely an empty shell. For instance, you may have certain comforts in a creature, but do you experience the presence of God in them or enjoy them for God's sake? If so, then they are good. Without this, they are nothing but emptiness; they are filled with nothing but wind. Now, if I am called to suffer for the cause of Christ, it is as if a loud voice from Heaven speaks to me, saying, "This creature that you are now called to part with in order to bear witness to My truth, you can no longer enjoy Me in it, nor can you further use it to honor Me.
However, in parting with it, what was previously good in the enjoyment of it now holds goodness in the act of letting it go." This is the sixth principle, and if we truly embrace it, how easy it would be to let go of any creature comfort for the sake of Christ.
Seventhly, every suffering experienced by the saints is ordered and predetermined by God. God determines the timing, the type, the duration, the instruments, and every aspect of the suffering. You can see this in the book of Revelation, where it is stated, "Satan shall cast some of you into prison for ten days." Only some will be cast into prison, not all, and their lives will be spared. Furthermore, it will only last for ten days. This consideration greatly strengthens the suffering saints. Just as it provided strength to Christ, knowing that all His sufferings were predetermined, it also provides strength to the saints. Therefore, as Christ said, "Shall I not drink the cup that my Father hath given me to drink?" He was referring to His sufferings. In the same way, everyone called to suffer for the truth
should reason with themselves and suppress any rising rebellion against those sufferings. Shall I not drink the cup that my Father hath given me to drink? It is a bitter cup indeed, to be hated by friends, to suffer loss of estate, liberty, and all outward comforts, to live a miserable life in the eyes of the world. But shall I not drink the cup that my Father hath given me to drink? This is the seventh principle.
Eighthly, whenever we suffer for Christ, Christ suffers with us. We partake in His sufferings, and He partakes in ours. As stated in Isaiah 63:9, "In all their affliction he was afflicted." This realization brings great support and comfort. Just as it is comforting to think that friends sympathize with us and are affected by our sufferings, know that Jesus Christ sympathizes with you in your sufferings. He suffers as much as, if not more than, you in all your sufferings. It is said of Moses that he considered "the reproach of Christ greater riches." The awareness that these sufferings belong to Christ is useful in various ways to assist the soul in suffering. It not only assures us that Christ will pity and have compassion on us, but also that Christ, suffering alongside us, will help us bear our sufferings. Why?
Because they are His own sufferings. Therefore, He will order and moderate your sufferings. Whenever you suffer in the cause of Christ, Christ bears the weightier end of the burden. This realization is a mighty help in the face of suffering and provides support.
Ninthly, suffering seems more evil in imagination before it occurs than when it actually arrives. Many who have been imprisoned for a just cause have professed that imprisonment was not as difficult to endure as they had imagined. Likewise, the loss of wealth and friends, although terrifying before it happens, often does not appear as harsh and grievous when actually experienced by the saints.
Tenthly, the least sin contains more evil than the greatest afflictions.
It is a poor choice to prefer the least sin over the greatest affliction. If suffering is presented to you, and you fear it, finding it terrible, consider that the least vain thought in your mind is a greater evil than all the torments inflicted by persecutors in the world. You may find this hard to accept, but it is indeed a riddle, just like my text itself. It is not surprising that we speak things that carnal hearts cannot understand. However, those to whom God has revealed the dreadful evil of sin cannot help but be aware, to some extent, that there is more evil in any single sin than in any afflictions. Therefore, they would rather endure all the torments devised by the world than willingly commit even the slightest known sin. Perhaps some of you trivialize sin and are easily led to commit it at every little temptation.
But however lightly you regard sin, those who are the saints of God, who understand the true nature of sin, would prefer to endure all the torments imaginable rather than willingly commit even one known sin. There is undoubtedly a significant difference between your perception and theirs. I implore you, brethren, to remember this tenth principle, and I urge those who remember or grasp these principles to help others with them. Lay them upon your hearts and keep them close at hand for the time when God may call you to suffer for His truths.
But the text holds much significance: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness." There is a profound blessing in suffering. We can add as an eleventh point that suffering for Christ is a great blessing, and that's the focal point of the text. It is a gift from God. He has given it to you not only to believe but also to suffer. It is a greater gift to be enabled to suffer for Christ than to be enabled to do anything else in the world for Him. Even if Christ were to enable you to perform miracles or raise the dead, it would not be as great a gift as having a heart willing to suffer for Him.
Anyone to whom Christ grants a suffering heart should know that they have received a great gift from Him. You may consider it excellent to be able to pray, but it is even more excellent to be able to suffer. I recall reading about a martyr who, when called to argue for the truth, said, "I cannot dispute for it, but I can die for it," and that is more significant. It is more valuable to be able to suffer for the truth than to preach or practice it. It is a blessed thing. The Scriptures are abundant in illustrating the blessedness of suffering.
In Acts 5:41, they rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. In Luke 6:22-23, Jesus encouraged His disciples to rejoice and be glad when they faced persecution. In 2
Corinthians 11:23, the apostle Paul listed his sufferings and considered them as his glory. He boasted about the sufferings he endured for Christ, not about his knowledge or honors. It is indeed a blessed thing to suffer for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul declared that he took pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake. It is delightful and pleasant to suffer for Christ. Tertullian, in the primitive times, said,
"Your cruelty is our glory, our blessedness." Paul desired to know nothing but Christ, and not just Christ alone, but Christ crucified. To suffer for righteousness' sake is a blessed thing. Now, there are many things that could be said about the blessedness of suffering, but I will present a brief overview of the blessings found in persecution.
Firstly, if God gives you a heart to suffer for Him, it serves as a clear evidence of the truth of your faith and the strength and genuineness of your grace. You testify to the world that you genuinely love Christ and that your graces are strong and powerful. You prove that you are not a hypocrite who will fall away in times of trial. You demonstrate that you have the Spirit and strength of Christ within you, and your graces are genuine. This is a blessed thing, providing evidence before
everyone, including your own conscience, that your heart is sincere in its devotion to Christ.
Secondly, there is great honor in suffering. Ignatius said, "I would rather be a martyr than a monarch." Moses chose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures and riches of Egypt.
Moreover, when Chrysostom spoke of Paul's commendations, he emphasized his sufferings as a significant part of his praise. He even stated that if he had to choose between hearing Paul speak from heaven or from prison, he would prefer to hear him speak from prison. Suffering for Christ is highly honorable before men, angels,
God Himself, the Church, and all the saints. In the primitive times, there was a tradition of honoring martyrs by going to their chains and kissing them. It is indeed honorable to suffer for Christ.
Thirdly, suffering is the highest and greatest development of one's abilities, graces, and comforts. It is the ultimate test and the means to reach the highest potential. The people of God have always been most eminent in grace during times of persecution. The Church has been most fruitful when watered with the blood of the saints. The saints' graces are more fragrant and flourish in times of suffering.
The breathings of holiness and the experience of heaven on earth are heightened during times of suffering. Suffering is the highest opportunity to make use of the graces and comforts bestowed upon believers.
Fourthly, those who suffer are under many blessed promises. If you suffer with Christ, you will be glorified with Him. There are numerous excellent promises made to those who suffer for the cause of Christ. It is easy to spend hours recounting these promises.
Suffering is accompanied by blessed comforts. The martyrs expressed joy and found pleasure in their sufferings. They
considered it a most blessed thing. The presence of the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon those who suffer for Christ. The Spirit provides comfort, guidance, and illumination.
Fifthly, as stated in the text, the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who suffer for righteousness' sake. This encompasses the blessings of the gospel that believers receive in this life and the eternal kingdom of glory in heaven. The kingdom of heaven includes the blessings of righteousness, peace, joy, and all the good that the gospel offers.
Those who suffer for Christ will partake in these blessings in an eminent and special manner.
But then, secondly, the kingdom of heaven. This refers to the portion of the kingdom that Christ will have before He surrenders it to the Father. Those who suffer for righteousness' sake will have a prominent share in this blessing. To me, it is evident from Scripture that there is a kingdom that Christ will possess before He gives it up to the Father. In 1 Corinthians 15, it is mentioned that on the last day, Christ will hand over the kingdom to the Father, and God will be all in all. However, the Scriptures speak of the kingdom of Christ as a promise to the saints before the kingdom of the Father. In Revelation
3:21, it says, "To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Take note of this Scripture; it clearly indicates that there was a throne of Christ that the saints would sit upon after their victories. While Christ presently rules the world and His Church through the scepter of His Word and Spirit, there is another time referred to in the Scriptures as a reward for their sufferings and triumphs. During that time, they will sit on His throne, just as He sits on His Father's throne. You might argue that this will happen in heaven. But there, it is plain that Christ will surrender the kingdom to the Father, and God will be all in all. However, there is another
kingdom of Christ promised to those who overcome, and those who suffer will have a special share and participation in it, as revealed in the book of Revelation. This book was written to encourage the saints during the Antichristian times of persecution. You will discover that Christ promises that they will reign on the earth. In the 20th chapter, where Christ speaks of a kingdom He will possess for a long time, it is particularly mentioned in verse 4 that those who were beheaded and refused to worship the Beast or receive its mark, openly or secretly, were the people Christ specifically targeted when He ascended to His kingdom. In the Gospel of Luke, Christ encourages
His disciples in the path of suffering for Him, saying, "You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me." Additionally, in 2 Peter 3:13, it is stated, "Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." Though you are currently sorrowful, despised, and trampled upon, when Christ appears in His glory to claim the kingdom for Himself, He will undoubtedly acknowledge and honor those who have suffered for Him. His first action will be to recognize and exalt them before the entire world. Yes, you endured difficult things in the worldly kingdom, but there is another kingdom where you will be honored. In Revelation 7:14, it says, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." They will be glorified. I recall reading about Emperor Carus, who, upon hearing that Agrippa suffered for his cause before becoming emperor, immediately replaced the chain with which Agrippa was shackled by offering him a gold chain of equal weight. Likewise, when Christ comes to claim His kingdom, His first act will be to summon all those who have suffered for His sake and apportion them a proportionate measure of glory. Tertullian said, "The greatest reward follows the greatest contest, strife, and suffering for Jesus Christ." I also
remember reading about Gordius, a martyr, who, when about to suffer, told his persecutors that if they reduced the suffering intended for him, he would be at a loss. Thus, when the general judgment arrives, oh, the embrace of Jesus Christ, embracing those who have suffered for Him! He will place white robes upon them and seat them on His throne. They will judge their judges and the twelve tribes of Israel. Not only the apostles but all the saints will sit with Christ, judging the wicked and the ungodly on that day, ascending with Him in glory and enjoying the fruits of their sufferings. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. It may as well be read, "Blessed are those who die for the Lord," for they rest from their labors, and their works follow them. The apostles and others clearly saw this truth. In 2 Corinthians 4, towards the end, it says, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This is one of the most eloquent expressions ever written by any author in the world: the exceeding, excessive, eternal weight of glory. And our sufferings, which are but light and momentary. But you might ask, "Isn't this a legalistic approach to finding encouragement in our duties or suffering, hoping for heaven?"
Honestly, for those who believe they have reached such a level of grace that they can do all things purely out of love for God, without any consideration for their own good in heaven, I do not know if Scripture supports such a notion. The Scripture encourages even those who are most eminent in grace to find their encouragement in the hope of heaven, in what they do or suffer for Jesus Christ. You may argue that it is true, we are allowed to do so, but wouldn't it be better if we could do it without such encouragement?
No, I find that even Christ Himself was encouraged in this way, and there is no greater example of grace than that of Christ. Hebrews
12:3 tells us to consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest we become weary and discouraged in our minds. And in the preceding verse, it says, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Christ endured the cross and disregarded the shame because He saw the joy set before Him. He had the joy of sitting at the right hand of the Father before Him. It is even noted as one of the fruits of Christ's sufferings that He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ, in the midst of His sufferings, had the assurance that after enduring some sufferings here, He would soon sit at the right hand of the Father's throne. And it is this assurance that helped Him endure His sufferings. If Christ Himself makes use of this encouragement, it is indeed foolish and prideful for anyone to think they have no need of it.
But now, after discussing these matters, I had intended to provide only a brief application for you. Only, you can see from what has been said how the stumbling block of the cross is removed. Oh, store up these things that have been presented to you, that have been spoken to you on this day in the name of Christ. You never know when you may need them; keep them in your hearts for times of suffering so that you may have them readily available. Just as people prone to fainting keep their aqua vitae bottles and similar things to help them in their fainting spells, so should you store up these truths that can assist you in overcoming moments of weakness. It should be of no consequence to you whether you experience times of prosperity or times of persecution. Regardless of which way the world goes, a Christian should stay steadfast in their path, focusing solely on fulfilling their duties, regardless of the outcome. The worst that can happen is persecution, but even that will contribute to your glory and