Sermon Highlights: Sun. Dec. 7 - The Spirit of Rejection

The following notes are highlights/summary points from the 12/7/08 7:45 and 10:45 services. All members are strongly encouraged to get the CD so that you can hear Bishop Johnson's message in its complete context.

Recognizing and Dealing With the Spirit of Rejection
Scripture context: Isaiah 53:3-6, Hebrews 4:13-16.
(These scriptures will be provided in full text in the comments section of this post.)

• Rejection is one of Satan's favorite tools to use against God's people. He doesn't waste time inflicting us with the spirit of rejection.
• If we allow our emotions to be filled with the spirit of rejection, we limit the favor of God and the power of God in our lives.
• Rejection keeps us away from people, and keeps us away from God.
• When God blesses us, he doesn't bless us an an island. He blesses us to be a blessing.
• Children may be affected as young as in the womb. [Pregnant] women must be protected mentally, emotionally, and physically - her attitude affects both her and the child ... in the womb. Watch what you eat, what you watch, where you go.
• People who have the spirit of rejection look for approval in the wrong places.

Points about looking for the favor of God, the blessings of God in all of the wrong places:

• Approval [desired] from other people. The approval should come from God. Approval and acceptance seekers have a fear of rejection - they live in your opinion of them, rather than who they really are.
• [They would] rather have your love and approval than God's.
• [They are] addicted to approval. Approval addicts believe:

1. If I'm accepted by others, I'll be satisfied.
2. If I'm accepted by others, I'll be blessed.
3. If I'm accepted by others, I'll have their favor, and their favor will give me the favor of God ... then my life will be fulfilled.

• God is not limited by any outside approval. No experience of human approval leads to permanent satisfaction.
• You need to look at the right face and get approval from the right place!

[With the spirit of rejection] You pay a high price.

• [You're] vulnerable to whims and suggested opinion of those around you. (Managers need approval. Leaders want approval but don't need to have it.)
• Others can take advantage of your vulnerability and mistreat you in every way. When folks know that they can control you, they will control you which leads to more rejection. Sometimes THEY will have the spirit or rejection, they want what you have. The arm of flesh will fail you - no matter who they are. Don't make your expectation too high. Make no provision for the flesh (not even yours!) - Phil 3:4. Nobody can take advantage of you unless you let them.

The enemy uses your fear of rejection to isolate you.

Ask yourself, "Why do I do what I do?" People with the spirit of rejection may appear to be shy, timid, may dodge close relationships - translates to "I'm afraid of being rejected." People don't connect because they'd have to open up.

Results of the spirit of rejection:

1. No relationships
2. No blessing and receiving from others
3. No blessing given to others, no opportunity to give to others

More results:

1. Rebellion
2. Anger
3. Bitterness
4. Guilt
5. Escapism
6. Negative criticism
7. Judgemental/critical
8. Distrust
9. Competitiveness
10. Jealousy/envy

Anger unchecked will soon become depression. Depression unchecked --> bitterness. Bitterness unchecked --> inferiority. Inferiority --> escapism.

Jesus gives us good news! Luke 12:32, Matt. 7:11, Galations 3:14

* Isaiah 53:3. Nobody was rejected like HIM. No rejection you have can ever measure up to what our savior went through. (Your Holy father will re-father you.) Jesus had to endure God rejecting him because of our sins. He was rejected by the very creation that he made in their mother's wombs! Isaiah 53:5 - He was wounded for our transgressions -- our weaknesses --- rejection is a weakness. Why carry what he has already carried for you? He was rejected so that we can move out of rejection. He cried, "It's finished!" Just for you. GOOD NEWS!

• We need to get the limits off of God so that favor can flow. He healed me before I was wounded.
• Hebrews 4:13-16. He sees and responds. Don't let it slip. Strengthen your grip on your faith. He feels it with you. He knows exactly how you feel.
• During the holiday season, it doesn't make a difference who leaves, He won't! Talk to yourself, "I've got a high priest!"
• Bruised blood takes care of deep-seeded emotions - releases you from that deep feeling of rejection. (Sorrow = wound. Grief = wound. Rejection = bruise.) Bruised blood hurts for a long time. He became grief for you. He became sorrow for you. The next time you're feeling down in the dumps, feeling like murmuring and complaining, take a look at Calvary.
• I'm blessed whether I feel like it or not.

In '09, everything will be fine!