Who You Say I Am Pt.3
ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED
Ephesians 1:6 – To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
He made us accepted in the Beloved!
Matthew 3:17 – This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
We are His beloved sons and daughters in Jesus Christ!
The opposite of being accepted is being rejected.
REJECTION IS REAL
Neil Anderson’s little son said, “Rejection is when Johnny won’t play with me anymore and I have to play with (my sister) Heidi.”
Derek Prince – Rejection is the sense of being unwanted.
Derek Prince – We feel excluded, left out, like we are always on the outside looking in.
REJECTION IS PAINFUL
We live in a fallen world, rejection happens, but it still hurts.
Derek Prince - Some of the most painful feelings of rejection occur in our own families.
We can experience rejection from our parents, from a spouse, from a brother or sister.
Neil Anderson – Rejection is one of the most painful experiences known to humanity.
Derek Prince – 3 responses to rejection: a. bury it; b. mask it; c. explode in it
Jesus has a better path for us. Jesus has Good News for us!
Rejection can be replaced with acceptance in Jesus’ Name and Power!
REJECT REJECTION IN JESUS’ NAME
The key phrase in Ephesians chapter one is “In Christ.”
Jack Hayford – To be in Christ is to be in the circle of the King.
If Jesus is in our hearts, we are in Him.
Ephesians 1:3 – We are blessed in Christ; Ephesians 1:4 – We are Chosen in Christ; Ephesians 1:5 – We are adopted in Christ; Ephesians 1:7 – We are redeemed and forgiven in Christ.
Ephesians 1:6 – We are accepted in Christ, the Beloved.
I AM ACCEPTED IN CHRIST!
Accepted – graciously accepted, embraced in the arms of His grace.
Same word used in Luke 1:28 – Mary is called by the angel Gabriel, Highly Favored One.
In Christ we are highly favored ones, beloved sons and daughters, graciously accepted and embraced.
How can this be? We feel so unworthy and so unacceptable!
The Cross of Jesus Christ!
On the cross a Divine Exchange took place: Jesus took all that we deserved and gives us all He deserves!
Jesus took our sinfulness and offers us His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus took our rejection, and offers us His acceptance!
Jesus was rejected for us so we could be accepted in Him.
Isaiah 53:3 – He was despised and rejected by men.
I am no longer unwanted, excluded, or rejected. I am accepted, wanted, and included in Christ.
ACCEPT YOUR ACCEPTANCE
Repent of any sin, disobedience, or rebellion and turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
Forgive any who have rejected you or betrayed you.
Renounce every ungodly belief: I am not wanted, I am not acceptable, I am defective.
Break the power of rejection in Jesus’ Name.
Accept your acceptance in Jesus Christ!
I am accepted in the Beloved!
Discussion Questions
Have there been times in your life when you felt excluded, unwanted, or rejected? Explain
Do you still find yourself struggling with feelings of rejection?
Have you responded with despair, masking, or explosive anger?
Do you believe Jesus took your rejection upon the cross?
Would you be willing to reject your rejection and accept His acceptance? Memory Verse Ephesians 1:6 – To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.