Blessed are the Persecuted

Cornerstone Connect

Blessed are the Persecuted

Mathew 5:10-12

July 28, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy

The Beatitudes:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit... Blessed are the merciful
- Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the pure in heart
- Blessed are the meek... Blessed are the peacemakers
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake

Key Word in Sermon On The Mount: Righteousness

Study of Mathew 5:10-12
"The greatest critcism of the church today is that no one wants to persecute it because there is nothing very much to persecute it about." George Macleod

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

THE UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTION: Am I being persecuted for righteousness sake?
THE BETTER QUESTION: Am I living righteously?
- Pray not so much that we would be persecuted but that we would live righteously
- Pray that we would be salt and light
- Pray that our righteousness would so exceed the righteousness of "Scribes and Pharisees" that they will not like us
- Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Two Ways To Live

October 20, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy

Two Perspectives (7:1-6; 12) Two Approaches to God (7:7-11) Two Gates (7 :13-14) Two Roads (7:13-14) Two Destinations (7:14) Two Crowds (7:14) Two Prophets (7:15-20) Two Outcomes (7:21-23) Two Builders (7:24 -27) One Savior (7:28-29)

The Purpose of Fasting: Set Yourself to Seek the Lord

October 13, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy

"Set yourself to seek the LORD" (1-12) - Gather, pray, fast, and seek the LORD - Rest in His sovereignty "Stand before the LORD" (13-17) - Patiently wait for the Spirit of the LORD to lead - Listen to the Word of the LORD - Do not fear "Worship the LORD" (18-30) - Humble yourself before Him - Praise Him (His attributes and character) - Trust Him (His character, His covenant love, and His revealed Word) - Watch Him work! - Be still and know that He is God (30) "Set your heart upon the God of your fathers" (31-37) - Learn from history - Obey completely "Duties belong to us; events belong to God. When our faith goes to meddle with events, and to hold account upon God's providence, and we begin to say, 'How will You do this or that?' we lose ground; we have nothing to do there; it is our part to let the Almighty exercise his own office, and steer His own helm; there is nothing left for us, but to see how we may be approved of Him, and how we roll the wight of our weak souls upon Him who is God omnipotent." - Samuel Rutherford

The Purpose of Prayer

October 6, 2019 • Pastor Mark Mincy

Matthew 6 - The Purpose of Prayer God's Name is Elevated (6:9) - Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. God's will is Embraced (6:10) - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God's Provision is Expected(6:11) - Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. God's Mercy is Emulated (6:12) - Forgive us our debts as we forgive our detours. God's Deliverance is Ensured (6:13a) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. God's Majesty is Exclaimed(6:13b) - For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Psalm 73 - The Power of Prayer Certainty about God's Truth is Reinforced (1) Confusion about God's Truth is Recognized (2-14) We can be disillusioned by circumstances (2-3) We can be disheartened by injustice (4-9) We can be discouraged by "life under the sun" (10-14) Clarity about God's Truth is Reiterated (15-28) We can cultivate spiritual understanding (15-22) We can cherish the presence of God(23-26) We can confirm the truth we know about God (27-28) God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever