Embracing Love and Hospitality Amid Rejection
Summary
Today, we gathered as a community to remember that God’s love binds us together, no matter where we are or what we face. We reflected on the sting of rejection—how it can feel like real pain, and how it often tempts us to close ourselves off from others. Yet, even Jesus, fully human as well as fully divine, experienced rejection. He knew what it was to be turned away, misunderstood, and even betrayed by those closest to him. Despite this, Jesus never let rejection define him or stop him from extending invitations of love, grace, and hospitality to others.
We explored the story of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem, where he faced opposition and rejection from a Samaritan village. The disciples, in their frustration, wanted to call down fire in retaliation, echoing old stories of judgment. But Jesus rebuked them, showing that God’s way is not one of vengeance, but of persistent, gracious invitation. We also took a moment to correct a common misunderstanding about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that the true sin was inhospitality and neglect of the poor, not what is often claimed.
The call to follow Jesus is a call to a new way of life—one that may be met with excuses, delays, or outright rejection. Yet, Jesus keeps inviting, keeps loving, and keeps showing hospitality, regardless of the response. This is the pattern we are called to follow.
To bring this home, we heard the remarkable story of Daryl Davis, a Black musician who befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan. Through patient, courageous, and loving relationship, Daryl helped over 200 people leave behind hate and step into what he called “the land of the loving.” His story is a living example of what it means to persist in love, even in the face of rejection and hostility. It is a reminder that our identity as beloved children of God is secure, and that we are called to extend that same love and belonging to others—especially those who are different from us or who disagree with us.
May we go forth knowing we are beloved, and may we invite others into the land of the loving, trusting that God’s grace is more than enough for every rejection and every new beginning.
Key Takeaways
- Rejection is Painful, but Not Defining
The pain of rejection is real and deeply human, affecting us at the core of our being. Yet, rejection does not define our worth or our calling. Jesus himself was rejected, but he never let that rejection change his identity or his mission. We, too, can remember that our belovedness in God is unshakable, no matter how others respond to us. [51:11]
- God’s Way is Not Retaliation, but Persistent Grace
When faced with rejection, the disciples wanted to retaliate, but Jesus rebuked them and chose a different path. God’s response to rejection is not to punish or destroy, but to keep offering love, grace, and hospitality. This challenges us to resist the urge to “rain down fire” on those who hurt us, and instead to embody the patient, nonviolent love of Christ. [55:50]
- True Sin is Inhospitality and Neglect of the Vulnerable
The story of Sodom is often misused, but scripture itself clarifies that the real sin was pride, excess, and failure to care for the poor and needy. God’s heart is for hospitality, justice, and compassion for the vulnerable. Our faith calls us to examine not just our beliefs, but our actions toward those in need and on the margins. [54:35]
- Radical Hospitality Transforms Hearts Over Time
Daryl Davis’s story shows that persistent, courageous hospitality can break down even the hardest barriers. Transformation rarely happens overnight; it takes time, patience, and a willingness to sit with discomfort and even hostility. By seeing every person as worthy of love, respect, and belonging, we become agents of God’s reconciling love in the world. [01:08:25]
- Our Identity in Christ Empowers Us to Love Boldly
Knowing we are beloved children of God gives us the courage to reach out, even to those who reject or oppose us. Our security in God’s grace frees us from the fear of rejection and enables us to keep inviting others into community. When we live from this place of belovedness, we help create a “land of the loving” where all are welcome. [01:09:20]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Embracing Community and Connection
[02:10] - The Pain of Rejection
[04:00] - Jesus’ Experience of Rejection
[06:00] - The Samaritan Village and the Disciples’ Response
[08:10] - Old Testament Fire and the Sin of Sodom
[10:00] - Jesus Rebukes Retaliation
[11:00] - The Cost and Call of Following Jesus
[13:00] - Persistent Invitation Despite Rejection
[15:00] - Daryl Davis: Radical Hospitality in Action
[18:00] - Transforming Hate Through Relationship
[20:00] - The Power of Belovedness and Grace
[22:00] - Inviting Others to the Land of the Loving
[24:00] - Sending Forth: Living as Beloved Community
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Inviting Others to the Land of the Loving”
---
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 9:51-56
_As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village._
2. Ezekiel 16:49-50
_“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.”_
---
### Observation Questions
1. In the story from Luke 9, what was the reaction of the Samaritan village when Jesus’ disciples tried to make preparations for his arrival?
(see [52:32])
2. How did the disciples want to respond to the rejection from the Samaritan village, and what was Jesus’ response to their suggestion?
(see [55:50])
3. According to Ezekiel 16:49-50, what does the prophet say was the real sin of Sodom?
(see [54:35])
4. In the sermon, what did Daryl Davis do when he was rejected or faced hostility from members of the KKK?
(see [01:08:25])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus rebuked his disciples for wanting to call down fire on the Samaritan village? What does this reveal about God’s character and priorities?
(see [55:50])
2. The sermon points out that rejection is painful but not defining. How does Jesus’ experience of rejection shape our understanding of our own worth and calling?
(see [51:11])
3. The story of Sodom is often misunderstood. How does the clarification from Ezekiel 16:49-50 challenge common assumptions about what God cares about most?
(see [54:35])
4. Daryl Davis’s story is one of radical hospitality and persistent love. What does his approach teach us about the power of relationship and patience in breaking down barriers?
(see [01:08:25])
---
### Application Questions
1. Think of a time when you felt rejected after reaching out to someone. How did you respond? Did you close yourself off, or did you try again? What might it look like to respond as Jesus did, with continued invitation and grace?
(see [49:48])
2. When someone hurts or rejects you, is your first instinct to retaliate, withdraw, or offer grace? What would it take for you to resist the urge to “rain down fire” and instead choose the path of patient love?
(see [55:50])
3. The sermon challenges us to see the true sin of Sodom as inhospitality and neglect of the poor. Are there ways you or your community might be overlooking the needs of the vulnerable? What is one concrete step you could take this week to practice hospitality or justice?
(see [54:35])
4. Daryl Davis persisted in relationship with people who were hostile to him, even when it was uncomfortable or risky. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love or who holds very different beliefs from you? What is one small way you could extend respect, listening, or hospitality to them this month?
(see [01:08:25])
5. The sermon says our identity as beloved children of God is secure, no matter how others respond to us. How does knowing you are beloved by God give you courage to reach out to others, even if you risk rejection?
(see [01:09:20])
6. Who in your life needs to know they are loved, respected, and that they belong? What is one practical thing you can do this week to invite them into “the land of the loving”?
(see [01:09:20])
7. If every person in our group committed to one act of radical hospitality this week, what impact could that have on our church or neighborhood? How can we encourage each other to persist in love, even when it’s hard?
(see [01:10:14])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray that God would help each of us know we are beloved, and give us the courage and creativity to invite others into the land of the loving, trusting that God’s grace is enough for every rejection and every new beginning.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Understands and Shares in Our Experience of Rejection
Jesus, being fully human as well as fully divine, experienced the sting of rejection just as we do. When the Samaritan village refused to welcome him, he felt the pain of being turned away, reminding us that even the Son of God was not immune to the hurt of exclusion. This shared experience means that Jesus truly understands our own moments of rejection and stands with us in our pain, offering comfort and solidarity. When we feel left out or dismissed, we can remember that Jesus has walked this path before us and continues to walk with us now. [51:11]
Luke 9:51-56 (ESV)
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.
Reflection: When have you felt rejected for doing what you believed was right? How does knowing Jesus experienced rejection help you respond differently today?
Day 2: True Sin Is Inhospitality and Neglect of the Needy
Scripture clarifies that the true sin of Sodom was not what many have assumed, but rather pride, excess, and a failure to care for the poor and needy. God’s heart is grieved when people are haughty and ignore those in need, and the call to hospitality is central to faithful living. This challenges us to examine our own lives for ways we may overlook or exclude others, and to remember that God’s judgment is directed at a lack of compassion and justice, not at the false narratives sometimes perpetuated in religious circles. [54:35]
Ezekiel 16:49-50 (ESV)
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.
Reflection: Who in your community or neighborhood might be overlooked or in need of hospitality? What is one concrete way you can extend care to them this week?
Day 3: Jesus Calls Us to Radical, Persistent Hospitality—Even After Rejection
Jesus did not let rejection stop him from inviting others to follow him; he continued to offer hospitality and extend invitations, regardless of how many times he was told “no.” This persistent love is not deterred by the fear of being turned away, and it models for us a way of living that is open, gracious, and resilient. Our worth is not diminished by rejection, and we are called to keep reaching out, knowing that our identity as beloved children of God remains unchanged. [58:10]
Romans 12:13-14 (ESV)
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Reflection: Is there someone you have stopped reaching out to because of past rejection? What would it look like to offer them hospitality or kindness again?
Day 4: Love and Respect Transform Even the Hardest Hearts
The story of Daryl Davis shows the power of loving and respecting those who are different from us, even when their beliefs are deeply hurtful. By treating every person as deserving of love, belonging, respect, being heard, and fairness, Daryl helped transform the hearts of people entrenched in hate. This kind of courageous love requires patience, vulnerability, and a deep sense of one’s own belovedness in God, but it can lead to reconciliation and healing in the most unlikely places. [01:08:25]
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Reflection: Who in your life holds beliefs or attitudes that are hard for you to accept? How might you show them respect and love this week, even if you disagree?
Day 5: Our Identity as Beloved Children of God Empowers Us to Love Others
Knowing that we are beloved children of God—secure in God’s grace and love—frees us to extend that same love to others, especially those who are different or difficult. Nothing we do can earn or forfeit this love; it is a gift that grounds us and gives us the courage to invite others into the “land of the loving.” When we live from this place of belonging, we become agents of transformation in our communities and the world. [01:09:20]
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: In what ways does knowing you are God’s beloved child change how you interact with those who are difficult to love? What is one step you can take today to invite someone into the “land of the loving”?
Quotes
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