Rejection

Monday, January 9, 2012: Galatians 2:20 – 21 (NKJV)                   Did Christ die in vain?

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Did Christ die in vain? No, He did not. If our new birth and life comes by doing what is  right and lawful, then He died in vain. This rejects God’s grace.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012: Galatians 3:15 – 16 (NKJV)                   Can a contract be annulled?

Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.

Can a contract be annulled? No human contract be annulled or added to once signed. Our heavenly contract was signed by Abraham’s seed, Christ, in His pure blood.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012: 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 19                  How strong is human logic?

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

      “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

      And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

How strong is human logic? It is weak. Before God’s logic, it is reckoned as nothing.

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012: Jude 1:4, 8                  What is one mark that identifies the ungodly?

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.

What is one mark that identifies the ungodly? They reject authorities.  

Friday, January 13, 2012: Luke 10:16 – 17                   What does rejection of the gospel mean?

He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

What does rejection of the gospel mean? It is God who they ultimately reject, not just you.

Stephen's Rebuttal before Martyrdom

Monday, February 22, 2010: Acts 6:13–14

They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
Background: The Synagogue of the Freedmen could not argue with Stephen who was empowered by the Holy Spirit. They brought him with false accusations before the Council.
What was the two-pronged accusation? They accused Stephen of saying that Jesus Christ will (a) destroy the temple and (b) changes the law Moses delivered to them.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010: Acts 7:35

“This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
What was Stephen’s first historically unarguable rebuttal? Moses was rejected by his own people. His God given authority was questioned by the Jews who were then in bondage.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010: Acts 7:37

“This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’
What was Stephen’s second historically unarguable rebuttal? Stephen reminded them that Moses prophesied that another Prophet would come and also be rejected by the Jews.

Thursday, February 25, 2010: Acts 7:39–40

(This is Moses) whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’
What was Stephen’s third historically unarguable rebuttal? The Jews made an idol to worship and wanted to return to Egypt.

Friday, February 26, 2010: Acts 7:51-53

“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
What was Stephen’s concluding statement? Stephen told them how they were the murders of Jesus Christ as they were the murderers of the prophets who foretold the good news. He had turned the tables against them.