Rejection of the World and Reception of Christ

Called and Rejected: Finding Acceptance in Christ

Bible Passage: Mark 6:1–29

Summary: In Mark 6:1–29, Jesus faces rejection in His hometown of Nazareth and experiences the consequences of His message among the people. The passage also highlights the brutal fate of John the Baptist, who courageously proclaimed truth despite opposition.

Application: This sermon will encourage teens to navigate feelings of rejection while affirming their identity in Christ. It shows them that, like Jesus and John the Baptist, they may face opposition for their beliefs but can find acceptance and strength through their relationship with Christ.

Teaching: This passage teaches that following Christ can lead to rejection from the world, but true acceptance comes from God. It challenges teens to be steadfast in their faith even when faced with hostility or indifference from peers and society.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical narrative, the rejection of Jesus foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice He made on the cross for humanity's sin. He embodies the truth that divine acceptance is often met with earthly rejection, yet through Him, believers find hope and communion with God.

Big Idea: Although the world may reject us, Christ calls us to embrace our identity in Him, assuring us of His unconditional love and acceptance.

Recommended Study: Consider studying the historical and cultural context of Nazareth to better understand the rejection Jesus faced. Logos can assist you in exploring the social dynamics of 1st-century Israel, including the implications of Jesus’ prophetic call and the response of His own people. Additionally, examine the significance of John the Baptist's role and how his martyrdom parallels the challenges followers of Christ can face today.

HOOK

Consider the life of King David, who faced rejection from his brothers and even from King Saul. When God chose him to be the next king, his own family did not recognize his potential and saw only a shepherd boy. This rejection, however, did not deter David; instead, it propelled him deeper into his faith, teaching him to rely on God's approval over man's. It's a powerful reminder that rejection can lead us to discover our true purpose in God's eyes.

MAIN IDEA: Although the world might reject us, Christ calls us to embrace our identity IN HIM.

BOOK

1. Facing Familiar Rejection

Mark 6:1-6

You could discuss how Jesus's rejection in His hometown of Nazareth reveals that even those closest to us might not fully understand or accept our calling and faith.

“Nothing good ever comes out of Nazareth”

These people were in their socioeconomic area the people who were looked down by everyone else

So its interesting to understand and know that Jesus chose to be “Jesus of Nazareth” and the “least of these people” and they also rejected him.

Emphasize that teens, like Jesus, may face indifference or skepticism from peers and family but should confidently rest in knowing Christ accepts them fully.

This section also highlights the importance of maintaining faith and not allowing rejection to shake one's identity or mission.

2. Mission Amidst Rejection

Mark 6:7-13

Maybe focus on the mission Jesus gave to His disciples and how He prepared them to expect both acceptance and rejection as they spread His message.

Encourage teens to share their faith boldly, understanding that rejection is not a sign of failure but part of being a Christ-follower. Reinforce that their ultimate acceptance and worth are found in their relationship with Christ, who sends them out with purpose and power.

3. Courage Through Challenge

Mark 6:14-29

You could highlight the story of John the Baptist's steadfastness even when threatened and ultimately martyred for his beliefs.

Prosperity v Poverty Gospel

Teach teens that standing for truth might lead to earthly consequences, but as John shows, faithfulness to Christ matters most. Remind them of the hope and eternal acceptance found in Jesus, who understands suffering and rejection firsthand, empowering them to courageously uphold their faith.

LOOK

Reception of world? What does it look like? Do we accept the things God hates and reject the things God loves?

Matthew 10:14–15 “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”

John 1:11–12 “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”

John 12:48 “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”

Our responsibility in standing with God

Ezekiel 33:1–9 “The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”

John 3:16

John 3:19–21 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.””

Matthew 10:40 ““Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

SO WHAT

Do we fear the opinions of others because we think they wont like us anymore?

“The thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, But if you do not fear God you fear everything else.”

Approval of Parents /Teachers/Friends/Crushes

What are you willing to do for someone to notice you?

“Fearing people involves holding their opinions higher than Gods”

ENCOURAGE

We should embrace our identity in HIm. His unconditional love and acceptance.

What does the bible say about acceptance of God?

We are told to approach and seek Him. To draw near.

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Psalm 73:28 “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Isaiah 55:6 ““Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;”

Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 27:8 “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.””

For the one afraid to let go, or keeps looking back at your past life or you are overwhelmed with your own sin.

Philippians 3:12–14 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

MAIN IDEA: Although the world might reject us, Christ calls us to embrace our identity IN HIM.