First Baptist Church of Devine
April 20, 2025 - "From Rejected to Reigning" Acts 2:22-36
  • Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed

      • Matthew 28.6NKJV

  • Christ Arose
  • Glorious Day

      • Isaiah 53.1-2NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.3-4NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.5-6NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.7NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.8-9NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.10NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.11NIV2011

      • Isaiah 53.12NIV2011

  • Victory in Jesus
  • Living Hope

      • Acts 2.22-23ESV

      • Acts 2.24-26ESV

      • Acts 2.27-29ESV

      • Acts 2.30-32ESV

      • Acts 2.33-35ESV

      • Acts 2.36ESV

  • “The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what others think.” — David Icke
    You don’t have to be famous to know what that feels like. We all live in the tension between who we really are and who we think others want us to be. Social media only magnifies it. We post filtered photos, craft clever captions, and watch the like count for affirmation. But it’s not just online. We filter our personalities in real life too—at work, with friends, even at church—because we want to be accepted, respected, admired.
    And we fear rejection. Why? Because rejection feels like death. It’s the slow unraveling of our image, our reputation, our sense of worth. In a world that values influence and impression, being rejected feels like being erased.
    But today, Easter Sunday, we remember a story that completely flips the script.
    Because the most significant person in human history—the One Christians call Lord and Savior—was rejected in the most public and brutal way possible. Jesus was mocked, abandoned, beaten, and crucified. The crowd turned on him. His closest friends scattered. His image was shattered, his reputation destroyed.
    But that wasn’t the end of the story. That rejection became the very path to his reign.
    Easter is not just about Jesus coming back to life—it’s about the vindication of the rejected. It’s about how God turned the world’s "No" into heaven’s eternal "Yes." And that changes everything about how we live, love, and even suffer.
    But let’s be honest—if Jesus was rejected, and we’re called to follow him, what does that mean for us? How do we live faithfully in a world that prizes image, but resists truth? How do we reflect Christ in a culture that may reject us just as it rejected him?
    That’s the pressure we all feel today, don’t we? The pressure to keep up appearances. To look like we’ve got it all together. To be seen as competent, respectable, spiritual—even if we’re struggling underneath it all.
    We live in a culture obsessed with image. Reputation has become currency. Whether it’s managing our social media profile, our public presence, or just trying to impress the right people in the room, the message is the same: Don’t let them see you weak. Don’t let them see you fail. Don’t let them see you be… real.
    So what do we do? We curate. We control. We avoid saying what we really believe because we’re afraid it might cost us something—status, approval, a relationship. And that fear—of rejection, of being misunderstood or canceled—can silently shape how we live, speak, and even believe.
    And yet, Jesus never promised that following him would win us popularity. He never called us to be admired. He called us to be faithful.
    And that’s the tension of living in a watching world.
    If Jesus, who was perfect, was still rejected… what does that mean for us who bear his name?
    What if rejection is not something to run from—but something that can be redeemed? What if our fear of rejection is actually an opportunity to rediscover whose approval really matters?
    To answer those questions, we need to look at what happened in the early days of the Church. When Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost, he didn’t try to sugarcoat the truth. He didn’t soften the message to avoid offending anyone. He pointed to Jesus—the one they had rejected—and told the world the hard truth of what happened.
    Let’s look at Peter’s words in Acts 2:22–23 and see the first reality: Jesus was rejected by men.

    Jesus Was Rejected by Men

    Let’s hear Peter’s words again:
    Acts 2:22–23 ESV
    “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
    Peter wastes no time. He looks out over the crowd—some of whom may have stood before Pilate shouting “Crucify him!” just weeks earlier—and he says, You knew who Jesus was. You saw the miracles. You witnessed the signs. And still, you rejected him.
    This moment forces us to wrestle with something uncomfortable: Jesus wasn’t rejected because he failed to prove himself. He was rejected despite proving himself.
    Think about that. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, welcomed the outcast, raised the dead, and taught with authority like no one else. His life was marked by goodness, compassion, truth, and power. And yet… He was handed over.
    The people didn’t reject him for lack of evidence—they rejected him because he didn’t fit their expectations. He challenged their power. He confronted their pride. He exposed their religious systems. And so they turned on him.
    The cross wasn’t a surprise accident—it was a deliberate decision. Acts 2:23 says Jesus was “delivered up…and you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” The crowd, the religious elite, even the Roman government—all played their part.
    But here’s what’s astounding: God saw it coming. Peter says Jesus was delivered up “by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge.”
    Let that sink in: Jesus’ rejection wasn’t just permitted by God—it was part of his redemptive plan.
    The suffering, betrayal, mockery, and crucifixion weren’t detours. They were the very road God had ordained for our salvation.
    And here’s where this truth collides with our world today.
    We spend so much of our lives trying to avoid rejection. We dodge it. We dress ourselves in approval. We fear it like a disease.
    But Jesus—knowing full well what rejection awaited him—walked straight into it. Why? Because he loves us. He didn’t come to win a popularity contest. He came to win our hearts. And to do that, he had to suffer for our sin. The very ones Jesus came to save are the ones who condemned him. And yet he still went willingly.
    Now, if the Son of God experienced rejection, what does that say about the life of those who follow Jesus?
    Jesus said in John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
    Rejection is not evidence that we’re doing something wrong. Sometimes, it’s evidence that we’re walking in the same direction as Jesus.
    But let’s be honest—being rejected still hurts. We crave acceptance. We want affirmation. And in some ways, that’s understandable. We were made for relationship and belonging. But the danger comes when our need for human approval overrides our commitment to God’s truth.
    It happened in Jesus’ day. The Pharisees feared the crowd. Pilate feared a riot. The disciples feared being associated with Jesus. And in the end, nearly everyone turned their backs on the One who loved them most. And yet—Jesus didn’t flinch. He didn’t back down. He didn’t compromise. He was rejected… but he was also resolute.
    That’s the example you and I are called to follow. To reflect Christ in a watching world is to live with the courage to be misunderstood. To speak truth in love, even when it’s not popular. To hold fast to the gospel, even if it costs us something—because it cost Jesus everything.
    But here’s the hope: rejection wasn’t the end of Jesus’ story.
    The cross wasn’t the last word. The crowd’s opinion didn’t get the final say. There was more to come. The world’s rejection of Jesus didn’t stop God’s plan—it fulfilled it. And that brings us to the second truth Peter proclaims in this sermon—because while people rejected Jesus, God did something the world could never undo.
    God raised Jesus from the dead.
    Let’s look now at verses 24 through 32, where Peter moves from the pain of rejection to the power of resurrection.

    Jesus Was Raised by God

    After declaring that Jesus was rejected and crucified, Peter makes a stunning proclamation:
    Acts 2:24 ESV
    God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
    These are some of the most hope-saturated words in all of Scripture: “God raised him up…”
    People condemned Jesus. But God raised Jesus.
    They nailed Jesus to a cross. But God broke the grave.
    They declared Jesus guilty. But God vindicated Jesus’ innocence.
    God’s intervention is the turning point not just in Peter’s sermon—but in human history. It’s where death is reversed. It’s where shame is swallowed up in victory. It’s where rejection is answered by resurrection.
    Peter doesn’t present the resurrection as a hopeful rumor. He grounds it in reality. He roots it in Scripture, quoting David’s words from Psalm 16:
    Acts 2:27 ESV
    For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
    Peter explains that David wasn’t speaking about himself—he was prophetically pointing to someone greater. David died. David was buried. David’s tomb was still there in Jerusalem. But Jesus? His tomb was empty.
    This was not poetic metaphor. It was public, powerful, and historical.
    And Peter makes it personal: Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” Peter’s not preaching theory. He’s preaching testimony. He’s preaching what he’s seen.
    This man who once denied Jesus three times is now boldly proclaiming his resurrection to the very city where it happened. Something radical has changed—and it’s the resurrection that changed everything.
    So what does this mean for us?
    It means that rejection, pain, and even death are not the end of the story for those who are in Christ. Because if God raised Jesus from the grave, then no rejection can keep us down. No failure can define us. No opinion can overrule God’s verdict. No grave can hold us.
    Here’s the good news: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in everyone who trusts him (Romans 8:11). That means your past doesn’t get the final say. The voices that rejected you don’t write the conclusion. Your story isn’t over. If you belong to Jesus, resurrection is your future. Vindication is your promise. Glory is your inheritance. That changes how we live in a watching world.
    We don’t have to scramble for status. We don’t have to fight for recognition. We don’t need to control our image. Because we know that even if we are rejected, overlooked, misunderstood, or opposed—God sees. God knows. God will raise us up.
    Jesus was rejected, yes. But Jesus was also raised—and that’s the assurance we carry into every hard moment. Resurrection doesn’t erase rejection—it redeems it.
    Maybe today you feel like you’re living in the shadow of rejection. Maybe you’ve been passed over, left out, or torn down. Maybe you’ve faced pushback for standing on God’s truth. Or maybe you’re just tired of trying to be enough for people who never seem satisfied. Let this truth encourage you: Jesus was raised by God. And in him, you will be, too.
    So don’t give up. Don’t compromise your faith to gain acceptance. Don’t shrink back in fear. The resurrection means God has the final word—and he always brings life where the world brings death. But Peter doesn’t stop with the resurrection. He goes one step further. Not only was Jesus raised from the dead—He was lifted to the highest place. Peter now turns to show that Jesus is not only alive—he is exalted. He’s not only risen—he is reigning.
    Let’s look at verses 33 through 36, where we see the final truth of this Easter proclamation:

    Jesus Was Exalted as Lord

    Peter has already declared that Jesus was rejected and crucified by men, and then raised to life by God. But he doesn’t stop there. The resurrection isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of Jesus’ exaltation.
    Peter says in
    Acts 2:33 ESV
    Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
    This is a massive theological claim. Peter is saying Jesus has ascended—not just into heaven—but to the right hand of God, the highest position of honor and authority. The right hand was the place of power, of proximity to the throne, and of shared rule. In other words, Jesus wasn’t just raised—he was enthroned.
    The crucified one is now the crowned one.
    And how do we know this? Because of what the people were “seeing and hearing” that very day—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter ties the presence of the Spirit to the reign of Christ. The Spirit didn’t just come randomly. Jesus, now exalted, is the one who sent the Spirit to empower his people. His reign is not abstract—it’s active. It’s not just a future hope—it’s a present reality.
    Then Peter returns again to Scripture. He quotes Psalm 110, the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, Acts 2:35“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.””
    David, speaking prophetically, saw a vision of the Messiah ruling with divine authority. And Peter boldly declares: that Messiah is Jesus.
    He brings the sermon to a dramatic conclusion:
    Acts 2:36 ESV
    Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
    That’s the climax. That’s the turning point.
    The Jesus who was mocked, beaten, and executed is now declared to be both Lord—the sovereign ruler over all—and Christ—God’s anointed Savior.
    And he’s not just Lord in title—he’s Lord in truth. His resurrection validates his claims. His ascension confirms his identity. And now, exalted at the right hand of God, Jesus rules over all.
    But don’t think that this is just all words on a paper or screen. This exaltation also confronts me and you.
    It means we don’t get to treat Jesus as an accessory to our lives. He’s not just a moral teacher, a good example, or a spiritual guide. He is Lord. Jesus has authority over our decisions, our desires, our identities, our reputations, and our futures. To claim Jesus as Savior is to submit to Jesus as King.
    That’s why Peter’s sermon cuts so deeply. He’s not just giving information—he’s issuing an invitation and a confrontation. Because if Jesus is Lord, then neutrality isn’t an option. You can’t stay on the fence about Jesus.
    This truth speaks directly to a watching world—especially a world obsessed with image and self-expression. We often want a Jesus who affirms us but doesn’t rule us. We want a Savior who comforts but not a King who commands.
    But Peter says you can’t separate the two. The One who was crucified is now reigning. He is Lord over history, Lord over death, Lord over life—and yes, Lord over you. To reject him is to stand against the One whom God has exalted. And yes, even if you’re on the fence, you’re still rejecting him. But to receive him is to come under the care and authority of the risen King who poured out his Spirit to empower your life.
    And that changes everything.
    We don’t have to live for the fleeting approval of others because we already have the eternal approval of God in Christ. We don’t have to carry the weight of managing our own reputation because the reigning Christ has already given us a new identity. We are his—beloved, redeemed, and sent out in his name.
    And when we follow him—not merely as a concept, but as a King—it reorients our entire lives. So if this is true—if Jesus has gone from rejected to reigning—what does that mean for us? What does it look like to live under the Lordship of Christ in a world that’s watching, a world that still misunderstands, rejects, and often opposes Jesus?
    Let’s talk about how this truth becomes real in our everyday lives.
    This becomes real when we believe that The One the world rejected is now the One who reigns—so we can stop chasing image and start reflecting Christ.
    Because Jesus is risen, everything has changed. We no longer live in fear of rejection—because the ultimate rejection has already been overturned by the resurrection. We don’t have to chase approval—because the verdict has already been rendered by God: “This is my beloved Son.” And in him, that verdict applies to us.
    You are not defined by your failures. You are not imprisoned by your past. You are not shackled by what others say or what you fear they might say. You are free. You are loved. You are chosen.
    And because Jesus reigns, we do not live for a kingdom of likes, influence, or success. We live for a kingdom that will never end. We reflect the one who rules—not by crushing his enemies, but by conquering death.
    Let the world watch. Let them wonder. Let them scoff. Let them doubt. We will still proclaim: Christ is risen! Christ is reigning! Christ will return!
    So take heart. The tomb is empty. The throne is occupied. And the King who was once rejected is now reigning forevermore.
    Live like it. Love like it. Speak like it. Serve like it. Because resurrection power is not a theory—it’s a reality. And it lives in you.
    And imagine—just imagine—what our lives would look like if we truly believed this…
    What if we actually lived like Jesus is reigning—not just out there in heaven, but right here in us?
    What kind of peace would replace our anxiety?
    What kind of boldness would rise in our witness?
    What kind of freedom would mark our lives?
    Let’s imagine the beauty and the impact of a people shaped not by reputation, but by resurrection. Let’s step into the inspiration that flows from the throne of our risen King.
    Imagine the kind of life we could live if we were no longer controlled by fear of rejection. Imagine what your soul would feel like if you weren’t constantly trying to manage how others perceive you—if your peace didn’t rise and fall with approval ratings. What if you were so grounded in the risen and reigning Christ that your worth was untouchable?
    Because it is.
    The One who was crucified in shame is now enthroned in glory. And he reigns not just from heaven’s throne—but through the hearts of his people. That means the pressure is off. The burden to impress, to win acceptance, to protect your name—it’s all been lifted. Why? Because the name of Jesus is now over your life.
    And when we believe that, something beautiful happens: our lives begin to reflect Christ in the very places we once feared rejection the most.
    In your workplace, you become a person of integrity because your value isn’t tied to promotions or popularity.
    In your relationships, you become someone who gives grace freely because you’ve received it completely.
    In your home, you become someone who doesn’t have to perform, because Christ has already done the work to make you accepted.
    And in your witness to the watching world, you’re no longer trying to be impressive—you’re simply pointing to the One who was rejected for you and now reigns through you.
    This is the freedom and power of the gospel. The more we see Jesus rightly, the more we live boldly.
    But inspiration must become incarnation. It’s not enough to imagine what could be—we’re called to step into it.
    So what does it look like for you to reflect the reign of Christ this week?
    Let’s move into some practical ways to live this out—wherever God has placed you.
    The reign of Christ isn’t just a theological truth—it’s a transformational reality. It’s meant to shape how we live, how we speak, how we love, and how we respond when life gets messy.
    So here’s the challenge: Don’t just admire Jesus—follow him. Live like the One who was rejected for you now reigns in you.
    Here are some concrete ways to reflect the reign of Christ this week:
    1. Choose Truth over Image. In a world where image is everything, choose to be real. Be honest about your struggles. Confess where you’ve been trying to impress people instead of pleasing God. Speak the truth, even when it might cost you something—because your identity isn’t in what people say, but in what God has already declared over you.
    2. Love Without Conditions. Jesus loved those who mocked him, betrayed him, and nailed him to a cross. That same kind of love now reigns in you. This week, ask: Who is hard for you to love right now? What would it look like to show grace to that person—not because they deserve it, but because Christ showed it to you?
    3. Rest in God’s Approval. Take one day this week to unplug from the noise. Step away from the pressure to perform, produce, or prove your worth. Use that time to rest, reflect, and remember: You are already accepted in Christ. Rejection from others doesn’t define you—resurrection does.
    4. Speak Boldly about Jesus. Peter, in Acts 2, stood before a crowd that once shouted “Crucify him” and declared, “God has made this Jesus… both Lord and Christ.” That kind of courage doesn’t come from self-confidence. It comes from Spirit-empowered confidence in the reigning Christ. Who in your life needs to hear that Jesus is alive—and that he still welcomes the rejected?
    5. Surrender Your Reputation to Jesus. If you’re spending your energy maintaining a spotless reputation, maybe it’s time to surrender it. Jesus didn’t die so you could look good. He died so you could be transformed. Give him control of how others see you. Ask him to help you reflect his character more than your own.
    You don’t have to do all of this alone. The risen Christ is with you. The Spirit is in you. And the Father’s love surrounds you.
    So live boldly. Reflect him humbly. And trust that the One who went from rejected to reigning is still writing your story—with his glory in mind.
    Jesus went from rejected to reigning. And if we follow him, so will we. Not by chasing the world’s approval, but by surrendering to God’s purpose.
    So live boldly. Love deeply. Speak truthfully. Suffer joyfully.
    Because the crucified King is now the reigning Lord.
    And that changes everything.
    Father in Heaven,
    We thank You for the glorious truth that Jesus—though rejected by this world—was raised by Your power and now reigns as Lord over all.
    Thank You for the hope that comes from knowing we are not defined by rejection, failure, or fear—but by the love and victory of Christ. Forgive us for the times we’ve sought the approval of others more than Yours. Forgive us for protecting our image more than reflecting Your Son.
    Today, we surrender our reputation, our identity, our very lives to the One who gave everything for us. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we would live boldly and love deeply in a watching world.
    Make us a people who carry the name of Jesus with humility and courage. May the risen King reign not only in heaven—but in our hearts, in our homes, in our church, and in our witness to this world.
    We pray this in the name of the One who was crucified, raised, and exalted—Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

      • Acts 2:22–23ESV

      • Acts 2:24ESV

      • Acts 2:33ESV

      • Acts 2:36ESV

  • Because He Lives
First Baptist Church of Devine
info@fbcdevine.org
830-663-4408
http://www.fbcdevine.org
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