Join Our Mailing List

Print this page

1.  ACCEPTANCE

    Acts 10:9-15; 34-35, February 5, 2012

A writer said, “Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person.  Not having to weigh your thoughts or measure your words.  Not having to wear masks, or paste on smiles, or pretend goodness, knowing that you are accepted just as you are.

I.  There are so many needs in our world today, and one of the greatest is the need for acceptance.

Have you ever felt rejected?  Maybe you were the last kid picked to be on a baseball team.  Maybe you only got two valentines when all your classmates got thirty.  Maybe you were not given that scholarship you applied for.  Maybe you didn’t get the job after you sent in a resume and interviewed.  Maybe you couldn’t get a date for the Prom.  Maybe your girl friend refused your offer of marriage. From childhood and throughout our lives there are countless incidents that make us feel unwanted and inferior. There are so many times and so many places when we just don’t seem to fit in.  Such things may seem insignificant, but rejection hurts.

Sometimes people who feel rejected become despondent or bitter.  Then many drop out of society.  They may avoid the risk of getting a job or entering into a relationship.  This can lead to health issues, social problems and even crimes.  Jesus knew that acceptance is a deep universal need. That’s why he said, “I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to me” (John 6:37).

Jesus not only expressed acceptance in words, he demonstrated it.  He touched lepers whom others shunned.  He complimented Romans who were often despised.  He praised Samaritans who were hated and ridiculed.  He talked to women who were considered as second class citizens.  He rebuked those who disregarded children.  (See Matt. 19:13).  He went home and ate with a well known cheat and traitor named Zacchaeus.

Jesus also told a story about the importance of acceptance.  He  said,  “A man gave a big banquet and invited many people.  When it was time to eat, the man sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come everything is ready!’  But all the guests said they could not come.  Each man made a lame excuse.

So the servant returned. He told his master what- had happened. Then the master became angry and said, ‘Go at once into the streets and alleys of the town. Bring in the poor, the crip pled, the blind, and the lame.’  Later the servant said to him, ‘Master, I did what you told me to do, but we still have places for more people.’ The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes. Tell the people there to come. I want my house to be full! ” (Luke 14:16-23, lb or edb).

This story clearly shows that God’s invitation excludes no one.  The host sent his servant into the slums and red-light districts of the city.  He didn’t pick and choose the better neighborhoods.  Alcoholics, beggars and handicapped men and women were included.  Then he went out into the rural areas and broadcast his offer. He didn’t select his guests on the basis of prestige, popularity or wealth. He didn’t favor certain races or religions.  The generous invitations of this man is an illustration of total acceptance.

II.  The church of the 21st Century is responsible for filling the deep, universal need for acceptance.

Every organization, program and service of the Lord’s church must offer acceptance.  Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case. Too often religions, denominations and churches have been exclusive–giving the impression that only good people, or proper people, or pious people or people like us are welcome. As a result, truly needy individuals have often avoided the church because they fear rejection and judgment.

Jesus had to remind people that this is wrong.  He said, “I did not come to invite good people.  I came to invite sinners” (Mark 2:17, edb).

An accepting church has a certain atmosphere.  It’s open and friendly.  It emphasizes fellowship.  It reaches out to the community.  It involves many non-church children in Vacation Bible School.  It encourages non-church families to attend the social activities.  It remembers shut-ins at Christmas with caroling visits and gifts. It provides funeral services and meals for relatives and friends during times of bereavement.  This ministry is offered even to those who have not supported the church.
An accepting church performs weddings and baby dedications without demanding doctrinal conformity.  It doesn’t deny any individual the right to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  An accepting church is tolerant because it realizes that rejection never accomplishes anything.  Instead those who feel hurt or ostracized become harder to reach.  What’s worse, one bad experience can create a negative attitude toward Christianity that is then passed on to future generations. Many people do not come to church because a Grand-father or other ancestor was hurt by rejection.

In short, a church that is accepting has open doors to all mankind.

Now let’s look at a pen picture of an individual and an occasion when Jesus exemplified an accepting attitude.  Zacchaeus was one of the most unpopular figures in his area.  He was a Jew who had become a traitor to his neighbors and associates.  He worked for the enemy and took unfair amounts of taxes from the poor.  He cheated everyone for his own gain.  He was truly a despicable character.  Yet Jesus saw something else.  He saw the person within.  He saw the potential.  So he stopped and called him by name.  He went to eat with him, which in that culture indicated full equality and acceptance.  As a result Zacchaeus totally changed.  He repented and offered to make restitution.  He said, “I will give half of my money to the poor.  If I have cheated anyone, I will pay that person back four times over” (Luke 19:8, edb).

Now, what do you think would have happened if, instead of calling him by name and treating him as an equal, Jesus had stopped and condemned Zacchaeus?   He could have listed his many sins and lectured him on his deceit and greed.  This would probably have pleased the bystanders, but Zacchaeus would have been embarrassed.  He would have become defensive.  He would have tried to justify his former behavior.  And, almost certainly he would have continued his deceitful lifestyle.  Jesus knew there were plenty of sins in his life to criticize and judge, but he didn’t do that because he knew acceptance works.  Rejection does not.  (See Luke 19:2-9).

That’s why the church of the 21st century must be an accepting church. Remember, in the story Jesus told about the banquet, the host welcomed all sorts of people to his celebration.  He ate with those who would ordinarily be ostracized and excluded from polite society.  That’s what Jesus did with Zacchaeus.  We must do likewise.

III.   Now, let’s get personal.

You know, as individual Christians, we are the church.  So how can each one of us offer acceptance to those around us who feel rejected?

Remember, Jesus accepted us, so we must pass that blessing on to others.  John said, “Whoever says that God lives in him must live as Jesus lived” (1 John 2:6, edb).

First, our attitude must be one of acceptance.  A humble attitude doesn’t mean that we devalue ourselves.  Instead, it means that we do not degrade or dishonor others.  We must not look upon anyone else as lower than we are.  Disdain doesn’t always involve actual words or deeds.  It can be shown through facial expressions, body language and actions.  People can feel our subtle disdain.  So we can pray for humility.  We can study the Scriptures which are full of verses admonishing us to be humble: the Psalmist said, “The Lord is supreme he takes care of those who are not proud . . .” (Psa. 138:6);
Jesus said, “People who know they have great spiritual needs are happy.

The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” (Matt. 5:3);

Later he said, “Whoever makes himself great will be made humble. Whoever makes himself humble will be made great” (Matt. 23:12);

He used himself as an example, saying, “Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. ” (Matt. 11:29);

Paul said, “God has chosen you and made you his holy people.  He loves you.  So always do these things.  Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle and patient” (Col. 3:12).

In order to have a true Christian spirit, we can watch our speech to avoid verbal put-downs and prideful expressions.  We can quit treating people differently, based on their looks or beliefs or achievements.  We can encourage, help and welcome all people to our services.

In the story about the banquet, the host accepted all of his guests with a gracious welcome.  He treated all of them with equal respect.  We must do likewise.

One morning as a couple prepared their cereal, the man said, “Honey, we have two bananas.  One is quite brown and the other one looks perfect, nice and yellow.”

“Okay,” said his wife.  “Throw the brown one away, and we’ll share the other one.”

“But the one that looks bad might be good inside,” he replied. 

When they peeled the bananas they found that the brown one was perfect inside and the yellow one was rotten all the way through.  That shows how easily you can be fooled by appearances!”

Too often we judge people as we do bananas, by the way they look.  When we meet people. We don’t know them, their troubles or their strengths and weaknesses.  We may decide that we like or dislike them based on our first impressions.
When we’re tempted to judge people, let’s remember the bananas and realize that none of us can know what is inside another person.

Once a congregation was upset when they learned that some Arab immigrants were going to attend their church.  One little boy heard his parents’ conversation and was curious.  At the service he looked around eagerly and finally whispered out loud, “Mom, Where are the Arabs?  I don’t see any Arabs.  I just see people.”

That’s all God sees.  He doesn’t sort and label us.  Peter learned this lesson, saying, “I really understand now that to God every person is the same.  God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right . . .” (Acts 10:34-35, edb).
Now, let’s take three lessons from this message: First, realize that feelings of rejection are destructive.  Everybody needs to feel accepted.

Next, understand that the Christian Church is the chief organization here on this earth to fulfill that need.  Therefore let’s try to make our church more accepting.

Finally, believe that acceptance is a gift from God to you.  When you incorporate that feeling of acceptance into your own life then you will be able to extend it to others and this will eventually change the world.  And that’s the purpose of the church of the 21st century.

(WC1838)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyright 2012, Idabel OK

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE IT IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

NEW PERSPECTIVES is a free service from Diversity Press.   

You may find other messages and a book list on our Webpage:
                                  www.ForMinistry.com/USOKSOBCOFBC5
or                               www.diversitypress.com

Email: wdiversitypress@aol.com
Phone: 1-580-286-3148