 Many scriptural phrases describe Christ:  The reigning Christ: 1 Tim. 6:15  The suffering Christ: Acts 17:3; Heb. 2:10  The risen Christ: Acts 2:32; Rom. 1:4  The teaching Christ: Matt. 23:8 3

 The description of Christ we want to focus on is given in Isaiah 53:3: “He is despised and rejected by men.” 4

5  Many ways in which Christ can be “despised and rejected by men”:  The Jews did so when they rejected Stephen: Acts 7:51-52  Do people today despise and reject Christ?

 Consider this description of Christ: Isa. 9:6  It seems most “Christians” will accept any name other than the name of Christ: Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 19:16; Acts 4:9- 12  Done, not by hardened criminals, but by those claiming to be His own! 6

 Do you want your bride to wear your name, or just any old name?!  Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride: Rom. 7:1-4; Eph. 5:30-32; Rev. 21:9  Nothing in a name? John the Baptist didn’t think so! Jn. 3:  Christians are “married” to Christ; whose name should we wear? Rom. 7:1-4; Acts 11:26; Rom. 16:16 Even some New Testament Christians are ashamed to call themselves the Church of Christ! Matthew 10:32-33

 Why do men follow a “plan of salvation” that is guaranteed not to lead them to heaven? Jn. 14:6; 8:24; Psa. 127:1  Conceptually most agree, but in practice most deny! Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12  Jesus rightly claims: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Mt. 28:18 8  Why do so many “Christians” reject the Lord’s authority? Col. 3:17; Matt. 8:5-9

 Superior in heirship!  Superior in matters of salvation!  Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 1:1-3 9  Superior in power!  Superior in image!  Superior in word!  Superior in work!  Superior in position! Hebrews 12:18-29

 How do the inspired writers speak of the church Jesus promised to build? 1 Cor. 1:2; Rev. 2 & 3; Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:4-6  What does the world think about the church Jesus promised to build?  Matthew 16:  People insist on saying “One church is as good as another?” or “Join the church of your choice.”

 Reject the simple gospel plan of salvation: Lk. 8:11-15; Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12  Shouldn’t be a surprise! Gal. 1:  Only one gospel: Jude 3; Eph. 4:5  Many ways men reject the gospel:  Substitute the means by which God calls man to Himself: Jn. 6:44-45; Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13- 14; Lk. 8:11-15; 1 Pet. 1:23

 Jesus guided apostles into “all truth” and taught them “to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Jn. 16:13; Matt. 28:20). 12  Also said, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spririt and truth” Jn. 4:23  Thus, there is a specific pattern for our worship set forth in the New Testament. New Testament Pattern of Worship 1) Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 20:7 2) Contribution: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 3) Teaching/preaching: Rom. 10:14-15; Acts 15:32, 35 4) Prayer: 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8 5) Music: Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19

 Most have the wrong view of sin. 13  Additions/subtractions in Christ’s teachings are also sin (Mk. 7:1-4, 5-9).  Any act, rite, observance, or ceremony for which we do not have Bible authority, means we are despising and rejecting Christ! Jn. 8:31-32; 2 Jn. 9-11

 Christ being “despised and rejected by men” was not limited to His crucifixion. 14  Christ remains “despised and rejected by men” today!  “What think ye of Christ?” Matt. 22:42