Church Has Left the Building Sermon Notes: Living Outside Rejection

Living Outside Rejection                                                10/18/15

Isaiah 53, Acts 8:26-40

Living Outside:   Assumptions, Barriers, Fears, Materialism, Conflict

Rejection:    from the Latin, (the act of throwing back)

Medically, when a transplant or graft is rejected by the immune system of the host body.  It is a failure on the body’s part.

Dismissing or refusing of a proposal or idea, or spurning of human affections

Reject (verb):  to refuse to take, have, recognize.  To refuse to grant.  To rebuff, cast out, discard as useless or unsatisfactory.

 Eunuch rejected  (Acts)

Jesus rejected  (Isaiah)

Jesus, the stone rejected by the builders, becomes our cornerstone of faith (Psalm 118:22,  mt 21:42, I Peter 2:7)

Philip does not reject the voice of God

          Consider the definitions of reject in light of when the Spirit speaks

          The length that Philip goes to reach this person.

          Philip’s obedience leads to a person’s salvation.

          Our response to not reject God’s will and call:

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

            Hebrews 12:25-29

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! ²⁶ When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”^{[ 27} This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. ²⁸ Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. ²⁹ For our God is a devouring fire.

Doing right will lead to some rejection

          Matthew 5:11

 

          Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
          against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for
          the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

James 1:2, 12:  Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised for those who love him.

Hebrews 12:2-3  Let us fix our eyes on  Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

 How Do We Live Outside Rejection?

          Be confident in the Lord, and how Scripture defines you.

          Acknowledge that God is Redeemer

          Don’t give too much power to any human being.

          Do your best.

          Be faithful, persevere.