Release from the Bondage of Rejection

Sermon Outline

Release from the Bondage of Rejection
by Charles F. Stanley

I. Introduction: The bondage of rejection will cause you to believe that you aren’t worthy to be loved. You’ll begin to think others are rejecting you when they really aren’t, and you’ll feel insecure about your relationship with God.

Scripture: Romans 15:7

II. The Bondage of Rejection

A. The nature of rejection

Definition: rejection is refusing to accept a person. Those who feel rejected continually have a “rejection syndrome,” meaning they expect others to reject them. They may decide that they can’t feel good about themselves unless certain people accept them.

B. Characteristics of a person experiencing rejection:

A critical spirit
Difficulty giving and receiving love from others
Feeling inferior
Perfectionism
Anger and bitterness
Oversensitivity
Drives people away
Desperate attempts to find love
C. Causes of bondage to rejection:

Hurtful events
Death
Divorce
Parents
The church
D. How to be free from bondage to rejection

To have a healthy emotional life we need to believe we belong, have worth and are competent. Through Christ’s death at Calvary, God demonstrated how much He loves us and provided for these three needs (Col. 1:21-22).
We now have the privilege and the power to feel:
Belonging—in the family of God (Rom. 8:15-17; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:35, 38-39).
Worthy—From God’s perspective, we are as holy today as we will be in heaven, because of Christ’s death. Christ loved us so much He laid down His life for us (Rom. 5:5-8).
Competent—As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and helps us (Rom. 8:11; John 14:18; John 14:16,26).
Affirm daily your position in Christ:
Loved unconditionally
Forgiven completely
Accepted totally
A whole person in Christ
III. Conclusion: No matter what your past has been or what others say about you, choose to change your thinking to agree with God’s truth. As His child, you are unconditionally loved, completely forgiven, and totally accepted. This will set you free from the bondage of rejection.