Kingdom Influence Part 14
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Influence,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
This weekend, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we continue our series Kingdom Influence by looking at the eighth beatitude:
Matthew 5:10-10 (NIV)
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Over the past weeks, Jesus has been forming a picture of what it looks like to live as a citizen of His Kingdom. It is a life marked by humility, honesty about our need for God, gentleness, a deep hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, and a commitment to peace. But this raises an honest question: what happens when that kind of life is lived in a world that does not share those values?
Jesus does not avoid the tension. He names it directly. Kingdom living will create friction. When the way of Jesus intersects with the way of the world, there will be resistance. Not because something is wrong, but because something is different. The values of the Kingdom stand in contrast to the values around us. Where the world elevates self-promotion, the Kingdom calls us to humility. Where the world seeks control, the Kingdom invites trust. Where the world rewards power, the Kingdom blesses surrender. Living this way will not always be applauded. At times, it will be misunderstood, resisted, or even opposed.
This is why Paul can say in 2 Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
It is not an exception, it is part of the reality of living faithfully in a broken world. Even small acts of obedience, simply choosing the next right thing in Christ, can create tension. But this beatitude is not a warning meant to discourage us. It is a promise meant to steady us.
The cross is the clearest picture of this truth. Jesus was rejected, accused, and crucified, not because He was wrong, but because He was right. Not because He was sinful, but because He was righteous. And yet what looked like defeat became the greatest victory the world has ever seen. That is why Jesus can say, “rejoice and be glad.” The resurrection reminds us that persecution is never the end of the story. In the Kingdom of God, even suffering is not wasted. It becomes the place where God’s power, presence, and ultimate victory are revealed.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.