Because of Me

Are you one of those who believe that all things happen for a reason?

If we pay attention, we can hear that phrase, "all things happen for a reason" in everyday conversations and in the media.

That's a topic for another day.

In this message, we want to know, What happens because of the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Matthew 5:11

It sounds like 3 negative things are somehow going to make us blessed because of Jesus.

Insults, persecution, and lying about us in evil ways equals divine blessing.

How is this possible?

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:12

What else can believers expect "because of Me" [Jesus]?

Do we want to live?

We're alive physically but to live spiritually in the Lord is another dimension, right?

"Just as the living Father sent Me [Jesus], and I live because of the Father, the one who eats Me, he also will live because of Me." John 6:57

Jesus is the bread of life John 6:35 Who came down from heaven. John 6:58

To eat of Him, the bread of life, most consider it to be spiritual, not natural as Jesus went on to explain,

"The Spirit is the One Who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I [Jesus] have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit." John 6:63

WHAT PAUL RECEIVED BECAUSE OF JESUS

But whatever things were gain to me [Paul], these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. Philippians 3:7

Paul lost his religious life willingly so that he could gain Jesus Philippians 3:4-6, 8 Who loved him and gave Himself for him. Galatians 2:20

We also will probably need to let go of our past religious or spiritual thinking and beliefs IF we want to follow Jesus fully as Savior and Lord.

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23-24

Paul received visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1

Nice, right?

But the devil didn't like that so a messenger was sent to torment Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:7

Jesus showed Paul what he was to suffer for the Lord's sake Acts 9:15-16 and told him that His grace [undeserved and unearned favor] would be enough 2 Corinthians 12:9 to be more than a conqueror through Him Who loved him. Romans 8:37

So, Paul celebrated in trouble. Romans 5:3

Most gladly, therefore, I [Paul] will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

WHAT ELSE COULD YOU AND I GET BECAUSE OF JESUS?

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me [Paul], and now hear to be in me. Philippians 1:29-30

Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

Let's not forget these truths, too --

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5

In Him [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8

Even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6

Of course, the Bible has more information on what we can get because of Jesus.

It could be worth it to continue to look up the Scriptures and study them.

"I [Jesus] will be with you always, even until the end of this age." Matthew 28:20

Your thoughts?

R. Jason