It strikes me that since my real goal is to get you to consider Wesley, I need not only provide my own synopsis, but a link to this sermon, from which you can get to all sermons. So, to get to this particular sermon, click here
And then, to get to a convenient access to all of Wesley's Sermons, click here
Wesley points out, again, that there is a development of character, some interior formation happening in the first few beatitudes. And then we move into how the interior formation starts working itself out in action. You'd assume that someone who is meek, devoted to God, and seeking to good to all as is in his or her power, such a person would be "the darling of mankind."
But we find that is not often the case. Can Jesus be serious, that after all the interior formation the Holy Spirit does in us through the Word that we will be persecuted? Wesley's caricature of the "worldly-minded person's perceptions of how Christians live out the beatitudes is worth quoting at length:
"They are persecuted, because they are poor in spirit; that is, say the world, “poor-spirited, mean, dastardly souls, good for nothing, not fit to live in the world:” — because they mourn: “They are such dull, heavy, lumpish creatures, enough to sink anyone’s spirits that sees them! They are mere death-heads; they kill innocent mirth, and spoil company wherever they come:” — Because they are meek: “Tame, passive fools, just fit to be trampled upon:” — Because they hunger and thirst after righteousness: “A parcel of hot-brained enthusiasts, gaping after they know not what, not content with rational religion, but running mad after raptures and inward feelings:” — Because they are merciful, lovers of all, lovers of the evil and unthankful: “Encouraging all manner of wickedness; nay, tempting people to do mischief by impunity: and men who, it is to be feared, have their own religion still to seek; very loose in their principles:” — Because they are pure in heart: “Uncharitable creatures, that damn all the world, but those that are of their own sort! Blasphemous wretches, that pretend to make God a liar, to live without sin!” — Above all, because they are peace-makers; because they take all opportunities of doing good to all men. This is the grand reason why they have been persecuted in all ages, and will be till the restitution of all things: “If they would but keep their religion to themselves, it would be tolerable: But it is this spreading their errors, this infecting so many others, which is not to be endured. They do so much mischief in the world, that they ought to be tolerated no longer. It is true, the men do some things well enough; they relieve some of the poor: But this, too, is only done to gain the more to their party; and so, in effect, to do the more mischief!” Thus the men of the world sincerely think and speak. And the more the kingdom of God prevails, the more the peace-makers are enabled to propagate lowliness, meekness, and all other divine tempers, the more mischief is done, in their account: Consequently, the more are they enraged against the authors of this, and the more vehemently will they persecute them."
[Please remember the Biblical defintions of meekness and poverty of spirit that Wesley works with! meek, hunger/thirst, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers
In many places in the world, Christians are seriously and heavily persecuted. These words of comfort from Jesus are most especially given to them. We in America are blessed that the "persecution" that comes our way is largely one of apathy--which has its own dangers, not fully seen yet. What can such words mean to us, beyond the generalized sense that, indeed, there are times where if you make a stand on Scripture, and it is unpopular in some quarters, you may be ridiculed or lose friends?
One thing I wonder: do people think too highly of us? I've mentioned before, I was not ordained to be a "nice guy," (and some of you say Amen, I know). Are we concerned about a good article in the newspaper? Do we avoid talking about certain things if it means some in the congregation may get upset? Leave? Quit giving? Are we institutionally capable of being persecuted, even in the small ways that happen in the U.S?
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