Have you Rejected Him?

Have You Rejected Him?

Main idea: In Matthew 21:33-46, we learn how people have often ignored and turned away God's messengers in the past, including Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone of our faith. It’s crucial that we keep Jesus in His rightful place; As savior, messiah, and foundation of our faith. We need to identify and seek forgiveness of the times in our lives when we have wrongly rejected Jesus and the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 7:24-27, James 5:16

Introduction

No one likes to feel the sting of rejection. I’m sure that all of us here could share about a time when we experienced the pain of rejection. Whether it be in a relationship, a job, or even having an idea dismissed… It’s never a pleasant experience and these points of rejection often sit in our memories for many years…

Pastor - Do you have a personal story you could share here about a time you faced rejection? What happened and how did you recover?

This is just one of my many stories. I’m sure if we were all able to share today we’d be here for weeks listening to one another. The truth is, we’re all going to feel the sting of rejection at some point or another. And today, we’re going to see that even Jesus wasn’t immune. In fact, the parable of the tenants in Matthew 21:33-46 teaches us that there are very real consequences for rejecting Christ. As one commentator says, “This is the strongest parable on God's rejection of Israel and her leaders!”

It’s crucial that we keep Jesus in His rightful place; As savior, messiah, and foundation of our faith. We need to identify and seek forgiveness of the times in our lives when we have wrongly rejected Jesus and the gospel.

Main Teaching

To get going today let's read our entire passage.

Read Matthew 21:33-46

Matthew 21:33–46 NKJV

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

The Rejecting of God's Messengers: A Warning against Rejection

In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants, illustrating the rejection of God's messengers and ultimately, His own rejection. The vineyard owner represents God, the vineyard symbolizes His kingdom, the tenants represent the religious leaders, and the servants represent the prophets sent by God. This parable serves as a solemn warning about the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and, by extension, rejecting Jesus Christ.

In the parable we see the vineyard owner sent several servants to collect the fruit, illustrating God's continuous efforts to guide and bless His people through prophets and messengers. Despite the prophets' faithful attempts to convey God's message, the tenants mistreated and killed them, reflecting the repeated rejection of God's guidance throughout history. This is a pattern we see repeat itself over and over throughout the Old Testament until ultimately, Christ is given.

The vineyard owner finally sent his son, expecting reverence, but the wicked tenants killed him, signifying the ultimate rejection of Jesus, God's own Son. This highlights the grave consequence of rejecting the epitome of God's love and grace, ultimately leading to judgment… It’s crucial that we keep Jesus in His rightful place in our lives.

The Cornerstone: Embrace or Stumble

Jesus refers to Himself as the rejected cornerstone that becomes the cornerstone of God's new covenant. This cornerstone represents the pivotal choice individuals must make regarding their acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ. To reject the cornerstone is to reject the most pivotal piece in the building, the piece that holds it all together, and from which the entire form takes shape.

Despite being rejected by the religious leaders and the world, Jesus Christ does in fact become the cornerstone of God's new covenant. He is the foundation upon which the Church is built. So, as I already mentioned, to reject Him is to reject all of it because it’s from Him that everything takes form.

Embracing Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our lives and faith is essential for building a solid foundation. When we accept Him, we find stability, purpose, and the promise of eternal life. It's an invitation to build our lives on the unshakable rock of Christ.

Read Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

This passage of scripture so beautifully illustrates the problem with “building a life on sand” versus “building on the solid rock of Christ.” How often do we seek the shortcut, looking to shorten the process of faith and sanctification in our lives? How easy is it to build on the “sandbars” of life, simply because it’s easier and quicker. Only to find that when the first storm comes through, we lose it all because we can’t handle the wind and the waves. We’ve got to choose Christ, the cornerstone, no matter what other options we have in front of us.

Call to Repentance and Acceptance: Choose Life

In light of the parable and the symbolism of the rejected cornerstone, Jesus calls us to repentance and acceptance. It's a plea to recognize our rejection of God's messengers, our sinful tendencies, and our need for salvation through Jesus Christ. Let’s take a moment to admit that we’ve all been there, we’ve all rejected faith in one way or another. We’re in good company.

We begin by acknowledging any past rejection of God, His messengers, or His Son, repenting of our actions and attitudes that have pushed God away. Only can we find forgiveness and a renewed relationship with God. We must confess, as James says, and find healing.

Read James 5:16

James 5:16 NKJV

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Our passage, and the message concludes with an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our lives, embracing Him as our Savior and Lord. And through this acceptance, we become part of God's eternal plan, receiving His grace, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.

Pastor - Take some time to share your story of conversion, repentance, and salvation. How did you seek forgiveness? What was your process?

"Have You Rejected Him?"

This is a tough question to answer, but it’s one we’ve got to wrestle with in our lives. The unfortunate truth is that even after accepting Christ, it’s all too easy to reject Him in little things, big things, and everything in between. We stray, it’s in our nature, and we need to be quick to seek forgiveness and acceptance again and again at the feet of Christ.

That’s the “process”... It’s the way… It’s why Paul said to the Philippians, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Conclusion

What was the mistake the Pharisees and religious leaders made when they were confronted with Christ? How did they respond to this “outsider” coming into their synagogues, meetings, homes, etc???

The answer: They hardened themselves to Christ. They dug into their pride and refused to seek understanding. Matthew 21:45 says, “When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.” They knew Jesus was talking about them, and still they refused to humble themselves in repentance.

In fact, they doubled down and sought a time to murder Jesus.

What areas of life have you doubled down in?

Are you willing to seek understanding, forgiveness, and repentance?

Are you willing to trust the process?

Is your heart hardened to the gospel?

As you think about these questions, and consider a response, I want to remind you that we’ve all been there. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Jesus has taken the penalty and the sin.

CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST

We can let go and trust Him.

We can turn, no matter what path we’re on, and lean into Him, the cornerstone.