Sermon Tone Analysis

How should we face rejection?

I know many of us have had some form of rejection in our life.

Some of us have been the recipient of some fierce rejection, that tore at the very fabric of our soul.

How should we respond?

What does God expect of us when we have been rejected?

Intro

Illus: Facing Rejection!

G. Campbell Morgan

60 years of ministry of a minister who:

preached over 23,390 times.

Wrote over 70 books.

He was the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London from 1904-1919; 1933-1943.

He mentored Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones

Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888.

He passed the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon.

In a cavernous auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen.

When Morgan stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caught him up short.

Two weeks later Morgan's name appeared among the l05 REJECTED for the ministry that year.

Jill Morgan, his daughter-in-law, wrote in her book, A Man of the Word, "He wired to his father the one word, 'Rejected,' and sat down to write in his diary: 'Very dark everything seems.

Still, He knoweth best.' Quickly came the reply: 'Rejected on earth.

Accepted in heaven.

Dad.'"

In later years, Morgan said: "God said to me, in the weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed, 'I want you to cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life.'"

Rejection is rarely permanent, as Morgan went on to prove.

Even in this life, circumstances change, and ultimately, there is no rejection of those accepted by Christ.

It is clear that in God’s Kingdom Jesus is not physically here and often that seems hard for us.

Our faith is in him, yet at times we are discouraged as we await his glorious return.

Especially, in a world filled with rejection.

Drama

Paul was rejected by the Jews and the city

In light of our life situations we are given faith to persevere.

Paul experiences the ultimate rejection - stoning and attempted murder on his life.

Illus: St. Patrick -

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.

He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity.

By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

In light of our circumstances God gives us faith to persevere.

Now, Paul and Patrick responded to rejection in a way that almost seems extraordinary.

Paul, went to the disciples and encouraged them.

Here is a man who was just stoned and left for dead, who set everything aside to go and minister to others.

Patrick went back to a place where he was enslaved to minister.

How?

The answer is not something they do, but rather something that Jesus does.

It is their union with Christ.

It is his Spirit within them that makes these things happen.

In the face of Rejection, there are two ways we may respond.

1) out of the flesh and heart or 2) out of the Spirit of Christ.

Q. 79.

May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace?

A. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance,g their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them,i and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace,l but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

The same Spirit within us that brings us to faith also sustains us in this faith.

Im the face of rejection, our flesh will desire self- preservation.

We will respond with aggression, lies, deflection, etc . . .

Out of our pain and hurt we will lash out and seek to make others feel what we feel.

But, out of the Spirit of Christ, we can respond differently.

We can respond in a way that encourages others.

In a way that keeps relationships intact and seeks to love rather than hate.

Illus: Mosque shootings in New Zealand.

How is it that such hate for another person even exists?

It does because without the Spirit of Christ within us, then our hearts, which are evil, will act without conviction.

So, how do we experience rejection in this life and remain faithful?

Satan seeks to attack our faith, driving us away from God.

Yet, God gives us very practical ways to build our faith to sustain us.

How do we see in this life specific ways that God gives faith to the saints?

How do we keep from falling away?

Doctrine

He uses other disciples to encourage us (22)

including rejection

including tribulations

We are pilgrims in this life and our circumstances are for God’s glory

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.

He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity.

By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave.

He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity.

By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

In light of our circumstances God gives us faith to persevere.

He uses other disciples to encourage us (22)

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples”

Shows that our circumstances can cause us to feel weak in our spirit

Perfect picture of the sanctifying work of God in the believers life

by preaching the gospel

This is a constant need for our sanctification

A reminder that we are sinners saved by Grace

we have been united to Christ and can overcome sin of despair

“encouraging them to continue in the faith”

we are called to be encouragers

Loving our neighbor as ourselves

Commanded by Christ

continue in the faith

col

Through example

By way of a reminder

Examples of encouragement

He uses his church (23)

Government

They appointed elders

to govern and shepherd

to establish a system of encouragement

Means of Grace