Desperation

2. Desperation Desperate To Be Accpeted

3. Introduction • Welcome • Pray • Desperate: having an urgent need or desire; leaving little or no hope • This webisode is about being desperate to be accepted

4. Introduction (Cont) • When we are introduced to a new situation human nature tells us to act a certain way in order to fit in. No one wants to be an outcast. • If you spend any time with kids you will notice that they are quick to “one-up” each other:

5. Introduction (Cont) • If you spend any time with kids you will notice that they are quick to “one-up” each other: “I got first place last year for making the most baskets in my PE class!”“Oh yeah, I got first place for the same thing at the YMCA!”

6. Introduction (Cont) • Even as we listen to adults speak, a lot of times there is a desire to want to relate some way or somehow to what the person is saying. This causes lying or deception in an attempt to make ourselves sound great. • We feel that if we act a certain way or say the right words to impress those around us then we will be liked and accepted.

7. Introduction (Cont) • We feel that if we act a certain way or say the right words to impress those around us then we will be liked and accepted. • Today, we are going to hear Brian’s past struggle with trying to be accepted by those around him causing him to conform to be somebody he was not.

8. Introduction (Cont) • Today, we are going to hear Brian’s past struggle with trying to be accepted by those around him causing him to conform to be somebody he was not. • Discussion Question

9. Discussion Question • Think of a time in your life when you felt you were not being accepted.

10. Testimony • Tried to fit in in H.S., it wasn't me, but it became me • Joined fire dept and immediately tried to fit in with the popular people there

11. Testimony (Cont) • Joined fire dept and immediately tried to fit in with the popular people there • Same in the Navy

12. Testimony (Cont) • Same in the Navy • I was constantly changing me so I could fit in with the people around me

13. Testimony (Cont) • I was constantly changing me so I could fit in with the people around me • Discussion Question

14. Discussion Question Discuss in your group how you relate to Brian’s story.

15. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (17) Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." (18) And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

16. Romans 8:16-17 • (16) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (17) Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

17. Biblical Example (Cont) • God accepts us. He loves us and welcomes us. • What greater acceptance is there than being viewed as sons or daughters?

18. Biblical Example (Cont) • What greater acceptance is there than being viewed as sons or daughters? • Galatians 2:11-13

19. Galatians 2:11-13 • (11) When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (12) For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. (13) The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

20. Biblical Example (Cont) • Peer pressure. Becoming what you think others want you to be. • Denial of who you are and who God created you to be.

21. Biblical Example (Cont) • Denial of who you are and who God created you to be. • 2 Cor. 5:17

22. 2 Corinthians 5:17 • (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

23. Biblical Example (Cont) • We are a new creation. • We are accepted by God so we don't have to reinvent ourselves to be accepted by other people.

24. Biblical Example (Cont) • We are accepted by God so we don't have to reinvent ourselves to be accepted by other people. • Discussion Question

25. Discussion Question • How do these biblical truths relate to your own personal story of needing to be accepted?

26. Fulfillment • I have found that my “love language” feeds in to my desire to be accepted • I came to the conclusion I could never hold public office

27. Fulfillment (Cont) • I came to the conclusion I could never hold public office. • You know we even face this in the church some times. I was desperate to be accepted by a mainline denomination for a while, and bowed and bent even when it went against what I thought was right.

28. Fulfillment (Cont) • You know we even face this in the church some times. I was desperate to be accepted by a mainline denomination for a while, and bowed and bent even when it went against what I thought was right.

29. Fulfillment (Cont) • Ultimately we have all already been accepted by God because He created us as we are for Him and his purpose.

30. Conclusion • It’s okay to have a desire to be accepted • Be who God created you to be, not something else to gain acceptance by people • Know that God delights in you, even in all of your quirks and oddities. • Pray

31. Teaser Next time join us as we discuss being desperate to be loved