2. John 1:1-12 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
3. Introduction In this so-called Christmas, are we to think that the world has become a Christ-seeking and a Christ-loving world? The Bible states otherwise. We have feastings everywhere and Christ is missing. May we be warned that we that we that profess to know Him may totally miss Him too in these times of much fanfare. The world we live in today, as also in the past, is Christ-rejecting. Christ is a missing entity and is represented by X in Xmas. Our text says that, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” He who is Creator is rejected by His creation. It is the nature of man to reject God. The Bible says in Romans 3:11b, “…there is not that seeketh after God.” Let us aptly entitle our message today as CHRIST, THE REJECTED ONE.
4. The World Already Rejected Him Prior To His Incarnation He Was Rejected During His Birth And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was noroom for them inthe inn. Luke 2:7
5. He Was Rejected By His Own Brethren For neither did his brethren believe in him. John 7:5
6. He Was Rejected By His Own Disciples From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also goaway? John 6:66-67
7. He was rejected by Judas for 30 pieces of silver Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, what will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Matt 26:14-16
8. He Was Rejected By Peter through His Three Denials Peter answered and said unto him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, though I should die with thee, yet will I notdenythee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matt 26:33-35
9. Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out,and wept bitterly. Matt 26:69-75
10. He Was Rejected By His Apostles Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheepof the flock shall be scattered abroad. Matt 26:31
11. He Was Rejected By Israel before Pilate I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Luke 23:16-23
12. He Was Rejected By the Thief on the Left And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. Luke 23:39
13. He was rejected by the Crowd Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Luke 23:34-37
14. But The Greatest Rejection of All Is That the Heavenly Father Rejected Him Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matt 27:45-46 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21
15. BUT JOHN 1:12 SAYS… But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
