Suffering For The Sake Of Love

Why does Christ declare that those who are persecuted for righteousness sake are blessed? Is it because those who are loved and redeemed by the Righteous One, Jesus Christ are identified with Him? And since the world hates Him, it follows that those who love Him and all that He says and does will be hated as well? The sermon outline is as follows:
I. Christ's righteousness is the only righteousness that counts
II. Christ is our Prophet, Priest, and King
III. Do you hate false ways and love Christ's ways?

Part 16/P

[Scripture reading precedes this sermon; Psalm 119:121-128 and 1 John 3:18-24]

[We apologize for the intermittent level changes in this sermon. Our wireless microphone was having technical problems during the recording.]