The Extraordinary Power of Acceptance

The Extraordinary Power of Acceptance August 18, 2018 The Story: Auggie was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome (mandibulofacial dysostosis), which causes severe abnormalities in cranial and facial development. It usually requires dozens of reconstructive surgeries in the first 10 years of life. Auggie is born into an idyllic family who love and protect him. His parents decide after homeschooling him for 4 grades to enroll him in an exclusive private school. The movie covers the events of his 5th grade school year. The World-View, Values, and Lessons of “WONDER” • Parents and siblings can be the greatest givers of kindness, love, and acceptance. • Galatians 5:22 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness , goodness, faithfulness, è Believers are commanded to be kind. è Believers are told that kindness is the product (fruit) of the indwelling Holy Spirit working in our lives. The Bottom Line: God’s kindness should lead to my kindness. His generosity should lead to my generosity. His refusal make someone hurt for no real purpose should lead me to seek the good for strangers and friends alike. Friendship 1. I Need a Samuel: A friend who pushes me toward what God wants me to be. • • An intact, nuclear family with healthy relationships is presented as ‘normal’. • All relationships require sacrifices. • Kindness is beneficial to all and is a choice we can always make. • Acceptance of those who are different can change both them and us. • There is always more to the story. Everyone is struggling in some way. KEY MOMENTS IN THE FILM: 1. Jack Will has become a genuine friend of Auggie, but in a moment of weakness he betrays Auggie behind his back. Auggie finds out and cuts him off. 2. Via has lost her best friend over the summer. They both wind up in the high school play with Miranda having the lead and Via being the understudy. 3. The end of year awards at school. [I Samuel 16:12-13] They see in you, things no one else seems to see. They look deeper into your life than perhaps even your family does. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 2. I Need a Jonathan: A friend who will be loyal to me, even when it costs them. and acceptance are reflections of God’s nature and that seeing God’s image in another human being is both reminder and call to be these things to others. Kindness Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [1 Samuel 18-23] 3. I Need a Nathan: A friend who will tell me the truth! [2 Samuel 12:7] • Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” • Is there a friend in your life who loves you enough to tell you the truth? Is there a friend of yours who you love enough to tell them the truth. à There is 1 More Friend I Need: Jesus, God’s Son, Who Died on the Cross for Me! ” Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (ESV) The BIG IDEA: The Bible takes human qualities that are universally appreciated and raises them to a new level, teaching us that kindness, friendship, 22 Acceptance 2 Samuel 9 – A Real-Life Story of Kindness à In ancient times as well as today, inviting someone to your table to share a meal was one of the most powerful statements of acceptance that could be made. • Will you choose to show acceptance to the outcasts? • Will you choose to come to your King’s table?