WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED 5 SESSIONS ON OVERCOMING

IMMORAL. GUILT IS A COMPLEX COGNATIVE, EMOTIONAL

REACTION WE EXPERIENCE OVER THE DISPARITY BETWEEN WHO

WE ARE (OR HOW WE ACT) AND WHO WE THINK WE OUGHT TO BE.

ALL OF GUILT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE FOUR THINGS:

1. FEAR OF PUNISHMENT
2. LOW SELF-ESTEEM
3. FEELINGS OF CONDEMNATION

4. FEAR OF REJECTION.

WE OVERCOME GUILT BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, THE WORD OF

WE HAVE EARNED IT IN SOME WAY. WE'RE POLITE, FRIENDLY,

PRACTICE GOOD HYGENE, WE GIVE INTO THE RELATIONSHIP,

WE'RE FUN TO BE AROUND, GOOD NATURED, OPTIMISTIC AND

GENUINELY CARING AND CONSIDERATE. WHAT IF WE WERE NONE

OF THOSE THINGS....WOULD ANYBODY LIKE US AND RECEIVE US

INTO THEIR LIVES. YOU SEE WE WORK HARD AT BEING

ACCEPTED BY OTHERS BECAUSE MOST OF OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN

FILLED WITH REJECTION. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ALL EXPER-

IENCED REJECTION LET DEFINE THE WORD FOR YOU:

SYNONYMS OF REJECTION: NOT APPROVE, SAY NO TO, TO IGNORE,

TO DISREGARD, NOT CHOOSE, NOT VOTE FOR, THROW AWAY OR

ASIDE, DISMISS, LEAVE, FORSAKE, EXPELL, CAST OUT, LAUGH

AT, DERIDE, RIDICULE, MOCK, TURN UP ONE'S NOSE AT,

EXCLUDE, DISCLAIM, DISAVOW, DENY OR TO MAKE UNWELCOME.

SOME REJECTION TODAY. THE IMPORTANT THING TO SEE IS

THAT NOT ALL REJECTION IS BAD OR ATTRIBUTED TO FEELINGS

OF GUILT. WHEN WE LEARN HOW TO OVERCOME FEELINGS OF

GUILT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CORRECTLY PROCESS THE NATURAL,

NORMAL EVERDAY EXPERIENCES OF REJECTION. PEOPLE ARE

GOING TO REJECT US BECAUSE WE ARE TOO FAT, TO SKINNY, TO

SHORT, TO SHY, TO UGLY, NOT SMART ENOUGH, NOT FUN TO BE

AROUND OR NOT TALENTED ENOUGH OR WE DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE

JOB. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REJECT US AND ITS NOT BECAUSE

THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH US OR BECAUSE WE ARE BAD.

IF WE FEEL THAT WAY WHEN WE ARE REJECTED THEN IT

INDICACTES THAT WE ARE SUFFERING FROM GUILT FEELINGS OF

REJECTION.

Ps 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then

the LORD will take me up. (KJV)

CHILDHOOD. OUR PARENTAL INFUENCE AND ENVIORNMENT HAS

CONDITIONED GUILT FEELINGS OF THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT,

LOW SELF-ESTEEM, FEELINGS OF CONDEMNATION AND THE FEAR

OF REJECTION. ONE FORM OF PUNISHMENT THAT PARENTS USE

TO TEACH AND CORRECT THEIR CHILDREN IS ISOLATION: THEY

SAY THINGS LIKE: "GO TO YOUR ROOM UNTIL I TELL YOU, YOU

CAN COME OUT." "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU USE THAT KIND

OF LANGUAGE AROUND ME. GET OUT OF HERE UNTIL YOU CAN

CLEAN UP YOUR MOUTH." "YOU CAN'T USE THE CAR OR YOU

CAN'T STAY OUT LATE BECAUSE YOU ARE BAD." ONE MOTHER

IN A MOMENT OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION TOLD HER CHILD

THAT "GOD DOESN'T LOVE YOU WHEN YOU ARE NAUGHTY." UN-

FORTUNATELY, IT ISN'T JUST THESE OBVIOUIS EXPRESSIONS

OF PARENTAL ANGER AND REJECTION THAT INTILL A FEAR OF

LOSING LOVE. ALL HUMAN LOVE IS IN SOME WAY CONDITION-

AL, AND MOST PARENTS DO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN MORE WHEN

THEY ARE FULFILLING THEIR IDEALS OR LIVNING UP TO

THEIR EXPECTATIONS. THIS SOMETIMES SUBTLE FACT LAYS

THE BASIS FOR MANY CHILDREN'S LATER FEARS THAT IF THEY

DON'T LIVE UP TO SOMEONE'S EXPECTATIONS THAT THEY WON'T

BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED.

PSA.27..."When my mother and father reject me, the Lord

GOD'S WORD THAT APPLIES TO THESE GUILT FEELINGS OF

REJECTION.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor

forsake thee. (KJV) THE GREEK WORD FOR NEVER

IS USED AS A TRIPLE NEGATIVE: "I WILL NEVER,

NEVER, NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.

NEVER: Strong's # 3364 ou me (oo may);

i.e. 3756 and 3361; a double negative

strengthening the denial; not at all:

KJV-- any more, at all, by any (no)

means, neither, never, no (at all), in

no case (wise), nor ever, not (at all,

in any wise). Compare 3378. (DIC)

LEAVE: Strong's # 447 aniemi (an-ee'-ay-mee);

from 303 and hiemi (to send); to let up,

i.e. (literally) slacken or

(figuratively) desert, desist from:

KJV-- forbear, leave, loose. (DIC)

FORSAKE: Strong's # 1459 egkataleipo (eng-kat-al-i'-po);

from 1722 and 2641; to leave behind in

some place, i.e. (in a good sense) let

remain over, or (in a bad sense) to

desert:

KJV-- forsake, leave. (DIC)

Ps 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I

not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed

begging bread. (KJV)

Ps 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed

is blessed. (KJV)

Ps 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for

evermore. (KJV)

Ps 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh

not his saints; they are preserved for ever:

but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Ps 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and

dwell therein for ever. (KJV)

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to

me; and him that cometh to me I will in no

wise cast out. (KJV)

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to

you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and

purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)

James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your

laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy

to heaviness. (KJV)

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up. (KJV)

OUR SIN IN CHRIST AT CALVARY. IT WAS THERE THAT JESUS

TOOK THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OUR REJECTION. IT WAS

THERE ON THE CROSS THAT JESUS CRIED OUT IN AGONY:

Matt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a

loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama

sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God,

why hast thou forsaken me? (KJV)

***JESUS EXPERIENCED ALL OF OUR REJECTION

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a

truth I perceive that God is no respecter of

persons: (KJV)

Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and

worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time

accepted, and in the day of salvation have I

succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted

time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual

blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV)

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before

the foundation of the world, that we should be

holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of

children by Jesus Christ to himself, according

to the good pleasure of his will, (KJV)

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted in the

beloved. (KJV)

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins, according to the

riches of his grace; (KJV)

ACCEPTED: Strong's # 5487 charitoo (khar-ee-to'-o);

from 5485; to grace, i.e. indue with

special honor:

KJV-- make accepted, be highly

favoured. (DIC)

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he

might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace in his kindness

toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of

yourselves: it is the gift of

God: (KJV)

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man

should boast. (KJV)

Ps 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his

help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Ps 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case:

yea, happy is that people, whose God is the

LORD. (KJV)

OTHERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOU. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR CHARACTER AND

YOUR ACCOPLISHMENTS DETERMINES YOUR REAL SENSE OF WORTH AND VALUE. HAPPINESS

DOESN'T START AROUND YOU, IT BEGINS INSIDE OF YOU. YOU DON'T NEED THE APPROVAL

OF OTHERS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, YOU ONLY NEED THE APPROVAL OF GOD.

HAPPINESS IS FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. YOUR SENSE OF WORTH AND VALUE

DETERMINES HOW GOOD YOU REALLY FEEL. FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, OR HAPPINESS,

DEPENDS ON TWO THINGS: 1. YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AND 2. YOUR ACHIEVMENTS. THE

FIRST OF THESE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. GOD CREATED US WITH THE NEED FOR CONNECT-

ION--OUR HEART REQUIRES FELLOWSHIP. THE CREATOR ESTABLISHED THE NEED FOR RELA-

TIONSHIP. RELATIONSHIPS SATISFY TWO HUGE NEEDS OF THE HUMAN HEART:

1. THE NEED TO RECEIVE LOVE. 2. THE NEED TO GIVE OR RELEASE LOVE TO OTHERS.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SOURCE BY WHICH WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES

IS NEVER THE RESULT OF OUR OWN WORK OR INITIATVE. WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE IS NOT

WHAT WE DO TO MAKE US FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES BUT RECOGNIZING AND ACCEPTING

WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. WE WILL NEVER

MERIT SELF-ACCEPTANCE MUCH LESS GOD'S ACCEPTANCE BY OUR OWN WORKS. WE CAN ONLY

HAVE A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AS A RESULT OF GOD'S LOVE THAT RAISES US UP OUT OF

THE MIRY CLAY. JESUS WAS NOT AFRAID TO TOUCH THE LEPER, A DISEASE THAT WAS

TRANSMITTED BY TOUCH AND HEAL THEM. NEITHER IS HE RELUCTANT TO TOUCH THE SIN IN

YOUR LIFE AND MINE AND ACCEPT US IN HIS LOVE. THE MOST IMPORTANT RELALATIONSHIP

THAT WE CAN HAVE IS THE GOD-RELATIONSHIP. WE NEED TO KNOW AND RECEIVE THE LOVE

THAT GOD HAS FOR US IN WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS SONSHIP. WE CAN ONLY HAVE A RIGHT

SENSE OF DIGNITY, HONOR AND SELF-RESPECT BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR US

IN CHRIST AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

Lk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Lk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father,

Father, give me the portion of goods that

falleth to me. And he divided unto them his

living. (KJV)

Lk 15:13 And not many days after the younger son

gathered all together, and took his journey

into a far country, and there wasted his

substance with riotous living. (KJV)

Lk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a

mighty famine in that land; and he began to be

in want. (KJV)

Lk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of

that country; and he sent him into his fields

to feed swine. (KJV)

Lk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with

the husks that the swine did eat: and no man

gave unto him. (KJV)

Lk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many

hired servants of my father's have bread

enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Lk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say

unto him, Father, I have sinned against

heaven, and before thee, (KJV)

Lk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son:

make me as one of thy hired servants. (KJV)

Lk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when

he was yet a great way off, his father saw

him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on

his neck, and kissed him. (KJV)

Lk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have

sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and

am no more worthy to be called thy son. (KJV)

Lk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring

forth the best robe, and put it on him; and

put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Lk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry: (KJV)

Lk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found. And they began to

be merry. (KJV)

Lk 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he

came and drew nigh to the house, he heard

musick and dancing. (KJV)

Lk 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked

what these things meant. (KJV)

Lk 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and

thy father hath killed the fatted calf,

because he hath received him safe and sound.

Lk 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in:

therefore came his father out, and intreated

him. (KJV)

Lk 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these

many years do I serve thee, neither

transgressed I at any time thy commandment:

and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I

might make merry with my friends: (KJV)

Lk 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which

hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou

hast killed for him the fatted calf. (KJV)

Lk 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with

me, and all that I have is thine. (KJV)

Lk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be

glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is

alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Lk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have

sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and

am no more worthy to be called thy son. (KJV)

WORTHY: Strong's # 514 axios (ax'-ee-os);

probably from 71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if

drawing praise):

KJV-- due reward, meet, [un-] worthy. (DIC)

Lk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring

forth the best robe, and put it on him; and

put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

BEST ROBES: THE SON CAME BACK IN RAGS BUT THE FATHER UPON SEEING HIS REPENTANT

SON COME HOME AGAIN INSTRUCTS ONE OF THE SERVANT TO GO AND GET ONE OF

THE BEST ROBES TO CLOTHE HIS SON. IN OUR STUDY OF THE PRIESTHOOD A

COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE SAW THAT IN SALVATION WE HAVE RECEIVE A ROBE

OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PRIESTLY GARMENTS FOR DIGNITY AND HONOR. SO THE

REPENTANT SON IS CLOTHED WITH THE BEST ROBES.

A RING ON HIS HAND: TO WEAR A RING ON THE HAND WAS A MARK OF WEALTH AND DIGNITY.

THE RICH AND THOSE IN OFFICE COMMONLY WORE THEM. TO GIVE A RING WAS

A MARK OF FAVOR, OR AFFECTION OR IN THE CONFERRING OF AN OFFICIAL

APPOINTMENT. HERE IT WAS EXPRESSIVE OF THE FAVOR AND AFFECTION OF A

FATHER IN RECEIVING HIS ERRING CHILD INTO THE POSITION OF A SON.

SHOES ON HIS FEET: SLAVES DIDN'T NORMALLY WEAR SHOES OR SANDALS, THAT WAS THE

PROPER DRESS OF THE MIDDLE AND UPPER CLASS. THE FATHER DID

NOT WANT TO RECEIVE HIM AS A SLAVE BUT AS A SON.

Lk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry: (KJV)

Lk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found. And they began to

be merry. (KJV)

Lk 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he

came and drew nigh to the house, he heard

musick and dancing. (KJV)

Lk 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked

what these things meant. (KJV)

Lk 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and

thy father hath killed the fatted calf,

because he hath received him safe and sound.

Lk 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in:

therefore came his father out, and intreated

him. (KJV)

THIS ELDER SON REPRESENTS A PHARISEEIC ATTITUDE THAT WAS PREVALENT IN

Lk 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these

many years do I serve thee, neither

transgressed I at any time thy commandment:

and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I

might make merry with my friends: (KJV)

Lk 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which

hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou

hast killed for him the fatted calf. (KJV)

Lk 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with

me, and all that I have is thine. (KJV)

Lk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be

glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is

alive again; and was lost, and is found.

IMPORTANT TO GOD. THE LORD WANT YOU TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSLEF BECAUSE HE MADE

YOU IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS AND HAS CALLED YOU AND EQUIPED YOU TO FULFILL

A DEFINITE WORK AND PURPOSE THAT ONLY YOU CAN DO. IF WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH A

POOR SELF-IMAGE WE WILL NEVER FEEL QUALIFIED TO SERVE THE LORD IN ANY CAPACITY.

THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT OURSELVES AND THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES CAN GREATLY

HINDER THE WORK OF THE LORD BECAUSE GOD HAS CHOSEN TO WORK THROUGH YOU AND ME.

GOD CAN NEVER REPLACE YOU WITH ANYBODY ELSE. YOU ARE VALUABLE, YOU ARE IMPORT-

ANT AND YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD. THAT IS WHY HE WAS NOT RELUCTANT TO PRO-

VIDE MANKIND WITH A MEANS OF SALVATION AND RESTORATION TO HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSES.

DEGREE OF HAPPINESS AND JOY YOU EXPERIENCE IN LIFE. JESUS SAID IN JN.15:11

These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that

your joy might be full." GOD WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY. GOD WANTS YOU TO FEEL GOOD

ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT HE IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. THE WORDS THAT JESUS HAS

SPOKEN UNTO US IS THE SOURCE OF OUR JOY AND HAPPINESS AND HE DESIRES THAT OUR

JOY BE FULL. WE MUST NOT CONCEIVE OF OUR FEELING GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES BY OUR

OWN EFFORT TO IMAGINE OR VISULIZE BUT EXCLUSIVE BY OUR STUDY AND MEDIATATION OF

THE WORD OF GOD. LET'S DETERMINE TO CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BY WHICH

WE CAN KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT HE IS THINKING TOWRADS US TO GIVE US HOPE AND

FAITH FOR EVERY DAY LIVING.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of

bondage again to fear; but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,

Abba, Father. (KJV)

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that

we suffer with him, that we may be also

glorified together. (KJV)

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God, to them who

are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did

predestinate to be conformed to the image

of his Son, that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren. (KJV)

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he

also called: and whom he called, them he

also justified: and whom he justified, them

he also glorified. (KJV)

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If

God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but

delivered him up for us all, how shall he

not with him also freely give us all

things? (KJV)

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of

God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ

that died, yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God, who

also maketh intercession for us. (KJV)

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of

Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or

persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or

peril, or sword? (KJV)

Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are

killed all the day long; we are accounted

as sheep for the slaughter. (KJV)

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than

conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor

life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor

powers, nor things present, nor things to