Rejoice When You Are Slandered
John Piper teaches that believers are called to rejoice and be glad when slandered and persecuted for Christ’s sake, empowered by the surpassing joy of their eternal reward.
This sermon focuses on the challenging command of Jesus to rejoice and be glad when facing revilement, persecution, and slander for the sake of righteousness. It delves into the humanly impossible nature of this command, the need for supernatural ability to feel joy in such situations, and the key to obedience lying in treasuring the greatness of the heavenly reward. The sermon emphasizes the importance of perceiving, treasuring, and being satisfied with the future reward described in the Beatitudes to experience the miraculous joy amidst persecution.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus commands rejoicing when persecuted for His sake
- This command is humanly impossible and requires a miracle
- The key is treasuring the greatness of the reward in heaven
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II
- Clarification of 'for my sake' meaning conformity to Christ
- Description of the greatness of the heavenly reward
- The reward includes seeing God, mercy, comfort, and inheritance
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III
- Examples of believers rejoicing amid persecution in Scripture
- The miracle of joy in suffering is real and attainable
- Obstacles to obeying this command and how to overcome them
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IV
- Joy and sorrow can coexist sequentially and simultaneously
- Cultural challenges to embracing this command
- Joy in persecution is an act of love toward the lost
Key Quotes
“I think it's the hardest command in the Bible. To rejoice, to feel, to feel joy and gladness when reviled and persecuted and slandered.” — John Piper
“If we perceive clearly enough and treasure highly enough and are satisfied deeply enough in the greatness of our reward, this miracle will happen.” — John Piper
“Rejoicing in the face of that reviling testifies to the reality and the preciousness of the one they need most badly.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Treasure the eternal reward to empower joy amid trials and slander.
- Remember that rejoicing in persecution is a supernatural gift to be prayed for and embraced.
- Show love to persecutors by demonstrating the preciousness of Christ through your joyful endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does John Piper call rejoicing in persecution a miracle?
Because feeling joy and gladness when reviled and persecuted is humanly impossible and requires supernatural empowerment.
What does 'for my sake' mean in the context of persecution?
It means that the believer's words and actions conform to Christ’s will, regardless of whether persecutors acknowledge it.
How can joy and mourning coexist according to the sermon?
They can be sequential—mourning followed by joy—or simultaneous, where joy remains unshaken beneath sorrow.
Does rejoicing in persecution mean ignoring injustice or abuse?
No, rejoicing is balanced with biblical calls for rebuke and discipline; it does not tolerate sin but trusts God’s justice.
How does rejoicing in persecution demonstrate love toward persecutors?
It shows the preciousness of Christ to them and is an act of love, not indifference, toward their lostness.