Pt 8 The Reviled
Great Is Your Reward
Matthew 5:11–12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Introduction
A gift has been received by those who have been saved from their sin.
Wages was that which we had earned through a life of sin and sinful neglect of the Lord, “for the wages of sin is death”.
But what a wonder it is to receive the gift, a gift of eternal life through the forgiveness of our sin, for all the penalty of sin was paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross and now we have heaven as our inheritance.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
As if this was not wonderful enough, the Lord speaks of further of REWARD.
GREAT REWARD.
Reviled Though Rewarded
Persecuted Yet Rewarded
Slandered But Rewarded
Great Is Your Reward
Reviled Though Rewarded
Matthew 5:11
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Reviled:
10 passages in the Bible contain this word and each of them are seen to be attended to by the wicked against the just.
Against our Lord Jesus Christ it was spoken;
Matthew 27:39
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Mark 15:32
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
John 9:28
28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
Peter giving to us the commentary of Christ and testifying of him as our example;
1 Peter 2:21–23
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
It is seen within the scriptures consistently as a negative act that we are charged not to do. In Exodus 22:28 it is linked synonymously with cursing;
Exodus 22:28
28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
The “gods” here related to governing princes not the angelic realm. (See also Ps 82:6, Jn 10:34 & Isa 41:23)
In almost every reference it is the unjust verbal reproach of the wicked against the just. It is the active disdain of that which is good.
Its origin is seen in use in Middle English as far back as the 1300’s, it is “To degrade, to abase….To abuse; to assail with opprobrious or abusive language” which includes profanities OED.
It is derived from the Old French “reviler”, based on the word “Vile” which we also obtain the word for Villainy and Vile persons.
1 Cor 6 testifies to its evil naturedness as part of the list which condemns those so described as outside the kingdom of God and thereby damned;
1 Corinthians 6:9–10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Such is the seriousness of the crime levelled against the reviler.
These are WORDS beloved, vile words which are seen as darts and arrows in the Old testament;
Psalm 64:2-3 tells us that those who employ them are “….the workers of iniquity, Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words”.
When you see the word “even”, as we do in this passage “to shoot their arrows, even bitter words”, the word ‘even’ has two forms of interpretation in the Bible, one is ‘as well as’ and the other is ‘equal to’ as we see here (see also 1 Sam 17:40 “scrip” David choosing his five stones places them “in a shepherds bag…even in a script” God showing us how he teaches us about his words).
This is important when reading the scriptures and learning what God is saying, for he almost always gives to you the definitions.
Psalm 11:2
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
Do not think it a strange thing when you suffer the reviling words of those who hate you, the Lord is your shelter and he will employ this to bring about a good work in you if you receive it as the Lord did.
O how I know this to be such a difficult response brethren; how do you take such an act patiently?
I know only too well how I have responded to such evil, to such injustice, and it has not been as well as it ought to have been. Even the times I had taken it patiently, I seethed within me for its injustice and contempt.
For its blasphemy when it is attended to by those who call themselves Christian. Such grieves those who love the Lord more than anything.
Those who are of God experienced such revilings again and again;
King David;
Psalm 41:7
7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Turn to
Psalm 35:11–16
11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
O how difficult this is, to know that you are being reviled but not to know what it is that is the subject of their revilings, “things that I knew not” says David.
King David experienced such as this, the earthly man who was a type of Christ in the days before Jesus came into the world, he experienced the effect of wicked imaginations but could do nothing;
In Psalm 38:12–13 he writes;
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
What can be done when reviling begins beloved?
Continue in Psalm 35:12-16
12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
The beginning of verse 15 we all need to take heed of beloved, “But in mine adversity they rejoiced”, this is seen as a great evil in the Bible and we are not to ever feel or think this way if we are to re-present God in our day to day lives. We ought not to be glad when our enemies suffers, not even if it was just that they do suffer.
Proverbs 24:17
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Proverbs 17:5
5 ……. he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Consider the company you are in when such comes upon you. Know and learn what Job knew when he wrote;
Job 16:19–20
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. 20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
Perhaps we ought to think ourselves as the passage presents us when such are our trials, perhaps we ought to consider ourselves ‘Blessed’ even while they curse, for we are reviled though rewarded.
Perhaps a consideration of that compensation in heaven is what took hold on Paul when he was reviled;
Turn to 1 Cor 4
1 Corinthians 4:9–13
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Therefore, when you are reviled, take it patiently for GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
Persecuted Yet Rewarded
Matthew 5:11
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
We note again that in this passage both the reviling and the persecution is related to the things people “shall say…against you falsely, for [Christs] sake”
When Paul wrote; 12 ….. being persecuted, we suffer it: In 1 Corinthians 4:12, we may wonder if it were not the recompense of the reward that he had in mind.
The testimony of Christ is that which is willing to suffer the persecutions of the world as we live for Christ.
If it be true that “all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” as the scriptures teach (2 Tim 3:12), then it stands to reason that if this is the cause of our persecution then and only then are we to be rewarded with that which is disposed to us of the Lord.
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
False accusers will grow more and more in the last days, and those who say all manner of evil against you falsely are those who defame you to them who are ready to accept such defamation against you.
In the passage we concluded in the first point, Paul touches on those who would defame them for the work they attend to in Christ, and he shows that this ought to be somewhat expected;
1 Corinthians 4:13
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Consider the patience with which he accepts the trials he endures.
We see that it is unjust and he identifies it as such. He uses words such as “defamed”, “reviled” and “persecuted”, all of which are seen as an unjust act against those who are just, and yet he writes as if it is both expected and to be taken patiently.
Turn again to 1 Peter 2 as we consider this;
1 Peter 2:18–21
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Verse 20 is fascinating for it does not give us any other way of dealing with mattersthat are personal
Turn to
Psalm 7:1–5
1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
Notice then also as an example in David. Verse 3 and 4 has the condition he prays to the Lord that if he is justly persecuted, then verse 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
The command upon our lives is to take matters that are personally directed patiently, regardless of whether we deserve it or not.
If we deserve it, WE OUGHT TO TAKE IT PATIENTLY.
If we do not deserve it, we re-present Jesus Christ in enduring patiently.
PERSECUTED YET REWARDED
WHAT ABOUT DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH?
Now we ought to place a qualifier here beloved.
All of these passages testify to PERSONAL persecution due to our faith in Christ.
Where the Bible presents a different picture is the persecution that comes from those who claim to be of the same faith.
There is a difference in being personally defamed and reviled and being defamed and reviled in the name of Christ.
There is a difference between being personally persecuted and being persecuted in the name of Christ.
In other words, when they who claim their cause is just and in the name of Christ, yet it is an evident evil which blasphemes Christ, then and only then are we called to answer.
Titus 1:10–11
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Titus 3:10
10 A man that is an heretick (DIVISIVE: Through doctrine or covetousness) after the first and second admonition reject;
1 Timothy 1:19–20
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
2 Timothy 4:14–15
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2 Timothy 2:17–18
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Philippians 3:2
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Romans 16:17
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Such people OUGHT TO ANGER YOU beloved, and you are right to both IDENTIFY THEM and to AVOID THEM.
In fact, you are COMMANDED TO DO SO.
You ought to love Christ enough to warn people of such heretics.
You ought to love the brethren enough to have such confronted and delivered and then warned against and “have no company” that they may be ashamed.
Why? Because it blasphemes Christ himself, and if that does not anger you there is somthing truly wrong.
If you are willing to justify those who mis represent our Lord by their words and slander, you are not right before the Lord.
Beloved, each of us are going to say the wrong thing from time to time, we ought to be rebuked. I have certainly been rebuked by discerning and loving Christians for words spoken out of turn. I have been rebuked by wise congregation members, family members and those wiser than me in the Lord at the time.
Nothing is wrong with this.
Proverbs 9:8
8 ….rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 9:9
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 17:10
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
This is the key beloved on such a matter.
Fools who blaspheme the Lord must not be tolerated; HOWEVER, when persecution comes personally, receive it patiently BOTH when it is deserved AND when it is in Christ.
For great is your reward.
Slandered But Rewarded
Matthew 5:11
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
A short point here for it is partly answered in the previous point.
In living for Christ we will have the natural effect of convicting the hearts of those who will not live for him. As such they shall both revile you, persecute you and “say all manner of evil against you falsely” all of which is for Christs sake.
This does not surprise us when it comes from those who evidently hate Christ. But it will surprise you when it comes from those who name his name as their own.
Sadly, such will increase all the more as we see the day approaching. (Heb 10:25)
This is where I desire to warn you beloved.
The late Christian Philosopher John Robins Said:
“Christianity is what the bible teaches. Christianity is NOT the beliefs held or the actions of those who call themselves Christian”. Repeat.
Let me remind you again of the passage in 3 Timothy 3;
2 Timothy 3:1–13
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
A full list of the nature of those who call themselves Christians is given between verse 1 and 13, and concludes with verse 13, saying
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
This description is the state of THE CHURCH in the last days, not the general state of the hearts of men.
Almost all the descriptions 2 Tim 3:1-13 are testified to in Romans 1 which speak of the natural state of fallen man. Yet we see it written of here in the FUTURE TENSE, “perilous times SHALL COME”.
It is written to a pastor respecting the days before him. This is the most difficult to bare for the shock and disillusionment that comes from it.
You may indeed be patient when it is done by those who know are enemies, but patience will certainly be required when it comes from those you thought loved you.
Well, King David also experienced this and testifies;
Psalm 55:12–14
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
The reproach spoken of here is not heavenly, but hellish as the passage concludes.
Great Is Your Reward
Matthew 5:11–12
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The judgement seat of Christ that is spoken of in the Bible, is a seat of reward not a seat of condemnation.
2 Corinthians 5:9–10
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
That ‘conveyor belt’ of trying your works through the fire spoken of in 1 Cor 3:11-15, will test all you have done in the body, “gold silver, precious stones,” or “wood, hay stubble”.
NOT YOUR SINS!
Our sins are nailed to the cross, it is not our sin that we are to give an account for, but our sin has a natural affect on our ministry.
So it shall be an account of “the things done in his body” where rewards are given or removed.
Notice also that there are no in-betweens in the passage.
“Whether it be good or bad”.
There is nothing that we do in the body that is seen as NEUTRAL.
No impartiality, nothing inert, all that you do is either “Good or bad” and there will be seen of God nothing in between, nothing that has no effect on the eternal, no GREY.
(Pastor David Cotton preached a wonderful sermon on this at the recent 2025 National Baptist Fellowship, I suggest you look it up.)
How you use your time has an effect upon the testimony of your ministry. Though your sins are nailed to the cross, sin yet has its affect on your ministry.
Covetousness for this world and the lusts thereof will have its affect upon you.
You will forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb 10:25).
It will turn you lukewarm for the Gospel (Rev 3:16).
Your love for Christ will wax cold…..(so cold you might even bless a block of ice [Pope Leo October 2nd, 2025]) (Matt 24:12)
When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith in you? (Lk 18:8)
This is the affect of SIN wilfully entertained by you.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
That is where the GREAT REWARD IS GIVEN.
that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
How have you re-presented Christ beloved?
Has it been in accord with who he is?
Has your work been attended to in line with why he came?
To this, GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
If your suffering is as his suffering: GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
If you have endured patiently as he endured patiently GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
If you suffer for righteousness sake, GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
Your poverty in spirit is REWARDED
Your mourning in this life is REWARDED.
Your meekness, REWARDED.
Your hungering and thirsting after righteousness is REWARDED.
Your mercy, REWARDED.
Your pureness of heart, REWARDED.
Your peacemaking efforts are all REWARDED.
GREAT IS YOUR REWARD.
Those of you in Christ, not a minute will pass in heaven before your think of all the opportunities you have had to be eternally rewarded. Opportunities taken advantage of and opportunities missed. One is “good” the other “evil”.
Take advantage of every opportunity to RE-PRESENT CHRIST.
Those of you who are not saved from your sin, to you also there is a reward, it is spoken of however as a wage.
‘The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23).
But the most wonderful part of that same verse tells how wages can be turned into reward.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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