Intro:
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Maybe it was in a room full of strangers, or even worse—in a room full of familiar faces where you still felt unseen. Rejection, whether subtle or loud, cuts deep. We live in a world that places value on performance, appearance, status, and strength—but what happens when we don’t measure up?
Today, we turn to a truth that shatters the standards of this world and replaces them with the grace of God: God accepts us, not because we are perfect, but because He is merciful.
Quote:
Tim Keller “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is… a lot like being loved by God.”
Perhaps you’re asking that question today that has weighed down many: “How could God ever love me with all the mistakes that I have made?”
The gospel is not about proving our worth to God, but about discovering that Christ proved His love for us on the cross. In Ephesians 1:6, Paul declares that we are “accepted in the Beloved.” That means- In Christ, we are not merely tolerated—we are fully welcomed, fully loved, and fully embraced.
1. Kingdom Acceptance
Condemnation.
Scripture:
John 8:3-11
English Standard Version
3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
- Condemnation serves as a strategic move by the enemy to maintain our entrapment in sin.
- Condemnation produces feelings of guilt, shame, and unworthiness, making it difficult to experience joy and peace.
- Jesus will always reject the sin but accept the sinner. Jesus loved the adultress but hated her sin of adultery.
- Jesus first removed her guilt and shame and then said, Go and Sin No More!
John 3:17-18
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
2. Kingdom Acceptance
It’s Not Too Late.
Scripture:
Luke 23:42-43 Then he (the thief on the cross) said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- The thief would not have the opportunity to live a life of obedience filled with good works.
- He would never be an upstanding member of the synagogue, feed the orphans, or care for the widows.
- He would never be baptized or have the opportunity to make restitution for his wrong.
- Yet, the thief’s life changed forever in eight words: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
- No matter what season of life you are in, no matter the depth of sin, no matter how far from God you find yourself, it’s never too late to place your faith in Christ Jesus alone.
- The thief’s story reminds us that Kingdom acceptance will never be based on merit, but it is always Jesus who qualifies our acceptance.
3. Kingdom Acceptance
You Home.
Luke 15:17-20
New International Version
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
The son returned empty-handed, and the father met him with everything, fully welcomed, fully loved, and fully embraced.
Acceptance is the door to transformation. Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest…” (Matt. 11:28)
Conclusion:
Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Jesus accepted the tax collector, the adulterer, the leper, the outcast—and He still welcomes us today. He doesn’t accept sin, but He accepts sinners who come to Him with repentant hearts. That’s the beauty of the gospel. So today, whether you’ve felt overlooked, disqualified, or distant from God, I want you to know these three things: 1. God sees you, 2. God knows you, and 3. God welcomes you.
Response:
- Are you struggling today with condemnation or its consequences, such as feelings of guilt, shame, unworthiness, or a lack of joy and peace?
- Do you fear that it’s too late for you, or that what you’ve done in life is too bad for Jesus to accept you?
- Are you battling feelings of rejection today?
- Are you ready to come home to Jesus?