Redemption of the Mind Finding Freedom From Negative Thoughts

The Source of Negative Thoughts Negative thoughts and actions are twigs Frustration is the branch Rejection is the trunk of the tree

The Pain of Rejection We have all suffered from rejection in our lives –from parents –from a boyfriend/ girlfriend –from a husband/ wife –from school peers/ teachers –from work Rejection wounds our thinking and restricts us from victorious thinking!

Definition of Rejection Rejection is the sense of being unwanted and unloved It is faith in the fact that other people do not love you. It is the feeling of always been on the outside, looking in and never being “in”

Jesus’ Response to Rejection But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Mt. 9.36) eklyō – weary; exhausted; despondent; faint in heart; anxious; burdened splagchnizomai – compassion; gut reaction; a reaction so strong it demands a response

How Rejection Occurs We are designed to be loved unconditionally by a family –broken families –failed marriages –Mal

How Rejection Occurs Rejection occurs because we stand out –financial; racial; physical Rejection occurs when are not welcome –child in womb Rejection occurs when we are not shown affection Rejection occurs when we lose someone we love –death of a parent; divorce

Betrayal and Shame Betrayal is where another person does not just reject you but breaks your trust. Carnal response: never trust again –leads to defensiveness –leads to incomplete personality

Betrayal and Shame Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

Betrayal and Shame For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused,” Says your God. (Is ) Forsaken - failed Grieved – carved Like a youthful wife – pain of broken marriage is the pain of rejection

Shame and Shame You will not be ashamed; You will not be put to shame; (Is. 53.4) bush – ashamed; delayed; disappointed chapher – confused; confounded; embarrassed. Public humiliation leads to shame Child abuse leads to shame

The Remedy of the Lord The gospel is based on facts Facts should be the engine of our train – leading faith and feelings. FAITHFACTSFEELINGS

The Remedy of the Lord The fact is Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day (1 Cor ) Faith believes the facts It accepts and acts on the facts FAITHFACTSFEELINGS

The Remedy of the Lord When faith acts on the facts, feelings will follow If faith acts on feelings, you will be unstable. FAITHFACTSFEELINGS

The Remedy of the Lord Spiritual maturity is believing the facts even when your feelings cause you to doubt. e.g. healing; prosperity FAITHFACTSFEELINGS

To Receive God’s Provision Must know that God did not make many different provisions for each of the various needs of humanity He made one provision once and for all that covers every need for every person The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross: our redemption

By Grace Through Faith The cross was a divine exchange – Jesus bore the curse of the law so we could enjoy the blessings of grace. All the evil consequences of our sins came on Jesus so that, in return, all the benefits of Jesus’ righteousness are available for us.

By Grace Through Faith Useless to approach God on the basis of our works! Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:13-14)

The Divine Exchange Jesus became sin, so we can be righteous. Jesus became sick, so we can be healed Jesus became poor, so we can be made rich Jesus suffered death, so we can enjoy new life. (2 Cor. 5.21, 1 Pet. 2.24, 2 Cor. 8.9, Heb. 2.9, Gal. 3.13)

The Divine Exchange looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12.2) The cross was shameful and public humiliation – it was not just physical pain, but emotional pain

The Shame of the Cross A goal of crucifixion was humiliation Hanging naked in front of people People walking past mocking I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting (Isa NIV)

The Opposite of Shame Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isa NLT) bringing many sons to glory (Heb. 2.10)

From Shame to Glory Jesus bore our shame so we can enjoy His glory Jesus took our embarrassment so we can be exalted. Jesus endured our disgrace and humiliation so we could enjoy His grace. Put your faith in the facts! FAITHFACTSFEELINGS

Jesus was Rejected! He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.(Isa. 53.3) Jesus was rejected by men!

Jesus was Rejected! Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt ) Jesus was rejected by God!

Jesus was Rejected! Abandoned by man Abandoned by God We have tasted the cup of rejection, but Jesus drank the fullness of it.

From Rejection to Acceptance Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt ) The barrier between God and man has been totally removed! You can approach God free from shame, from guilt, from rejection, from fear!

From Rejection to Acceptance Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph )