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Listen "The Gospel of Luke: Discipleship According to Jesus | Rejection | Submission | Jesus - Video"
Episode Synopsis
Sermon notes - 6/1/25
Luke: 9: 18-23
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Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/
Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
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What do people believe it means to follow Jesus? 60% of people of US consider themselves Christian. 47% say actively connected to a local church. 25% say they go to church regularly. There are many reasons for this, but there’s is a distinct disconnect between claiming to be a Christian and walking a life of discipleship with fellow Christians.
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To follow Jesus is to face temporary rejection, and To follow Jesus is to embrace urgent submission.
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Jerusalem, in this text, is the direction Jesus goes to the cross and to be sacrificed for our sins. But the phrase, “sets His face” means He is not going to allow anything to get in the way of this appointment - For us, and for the Glory of His Father.
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When we are told to “take up our cross” we are expected to “set our face” as well, to the end of our life, and not let things distract us from walking the path.
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And the first place Jesus goes is to the Samaria. Jews and Samaritan’s were generally hostile to each other. But this group is the group Jesus goes to first, but because His face is focused on Jerusalem, He was rejected. The Samaritans refuse the blessing of Jesus because He was “of” somewhere else. I wonder how many times we miss the blessings of the Lord be we shut out those that are different than us. To follow Jesus, is to prepare oneself to experience rejection.
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But more importantly, when James and John saw this rejection, they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to kill them. “Jesus, if they don’t accept you, we should just burn this town down.” James and John are relying on an Old Testament tradition for this harsh rebuke and judgement. But, Jesus rebukes them, instead. Why? Because in Christ, Grace has come in Him. And now everyone should have access to that Grace. Instead, we should allow the Lord to wield the weapons of fiery judgement. But we are to engage with the weapons of love and kindness. Even though you experience rejection, you should respond with your eyes toward the Lord. Those who would reject you today, will one day accept Jesus as lord and savior. Your rejection, therefore, is temporary.
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To submit urgently. The next people who wanted to follow him, discovered they wouldn’t follow Jesus without stipulation. They required creature comforts be met first. How do you react, when Jesus calls you to a place you don’t want to go? Many times, we tell Jesus - “I’ll follow you IF you make it easier for me.” But Christ’s face is set to Jerusalem. He doesn’t have time to wait. Many times, the timing of obedience to Christ is inconvenient. Do you delay obedience to Jesus by saying things like “once I do X, then I’ll submit?” Obedience to God requires urgency. Discipleship with God starts and ends with one word, “YES.” The heart of obedience is trust.
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Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.
Luke: 9: 18-23
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Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/
Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
.
What do people believe it means to follow Jesus? 60% of people of US consider themselves Christian. 47% say actively connected to a local church. 25% say they go to church regularly. There are many reasons for this, but there’s is a distinct disconnect between claiming to be a Christian and walking a life of discipleship with fellow Christians.
.
To follow Jesus is to face temporary rejection, and To follow Jesus is to embrace urgent submission.
.
Jerusalem, in this text, is the direction Jesus goes to the cross and to be sacrificed for our sins. But the phrase, “sets His face” means He is not going to allow anything to get in the way of this appointment - For us, and for the Glory of His Father.
.
When we are told to “take up our cross” we are expected to “set our face” as well, to the end of our life, and not let things distract us from walking the path.
.
And the first place Jesus goes is to the Samaria. Jews and Samaritan’s were generally hostile to each other. But this group is the group Jesus goes to first, but because His face is focused on Jerusalem, He was rejected. The Samaritans refuse the blessing of Jesus because He was “of” somewhere else. I wonder how many times we miss the blessings of the Lord be we shut out those that are different than us. To follow Jesus, is to prepare oneself to experience rejection.
.
But more importantly, when James and John saw this rejection, they asked Jesus if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven to kill them. “Jesus, if they don’t accept you, we should just burn this town down.” James and John are relying on an Old Testament tradition for this harsh rebuke and judgement. But, Jesus rebukes them, instead. Why? Because in Christ, Grace has come in Him. And now everyone should have access to that Grace. Instead, we should allow the Lord to wield the weapons of fiery judgement. But we are to engage with the weapons of love and kindness. Even though you experience rejection, you should respond with your eyes toward the Lord. Those who would reject you today, will one day accept Jesus as lord and savior. Your rejection, therefore, is temporary.
.
To submit urgently. The next people who wanted to follow him, discovered they wouldn’t follow Jesus without stipulation. They required creature comforts be met first. How do you react, when Jesus calls you to a place you don’t want to go? Many times, we tell Jesus - “I’ll follow you IF you make it easier for me.” But Christ’s face is set to Jerusalem. He doesn’t have time to wait. Many times, the timing of obedience to Christ is inconvenient. Do you delay obedience to Jesus by saying things like “once I do X, then I’ll submit?” Obedience to God requires urgency. Discipleship with God starts and ends with one word, “YES.” The heart of obedience is trust.
.
Fully embrace the reality that we will experience rejection. But also full embrace that we should not respond the way the world coaches us to, but rather with grace, love and humility.
In God we trust