Embracing the Outcast

Overcoming Our Woundedness

Isaiah 61

"preach good news to the poor... bind up the

broken hearted... proclaim freedom for the prisoners... release from

darkness for the prisoners... comfort all

who mourn and provide for those who grieve..."

'meeting needs'

"to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead

of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of

mourning... garment of praise instead of a spirit

of despair..." "the display of his splendour"

'transforming lives'

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins... restore

the places long devastated... they will

renew the ruined cities..."

'restoring community'

Our Woundedness…

A Psychiatrist once said

“over 70% of people in our hospitals today are there either because of resentment or guilt in their lives”

Joseph

Betrayed and Abandoned by his family (17yrs old) - Sold Into Slavery,

11years Serving in Potiphar’s House before being jailed for 2 years for being falsely accused of Rape, Joseph 30 yrs old.

Meeting his family again – 39-41 yrs old

Choice – Resentment

(Hurt Inflicted on Me)

Joseph weeps 8 times

1st Visit Gen 42:24

2nd Visit Gen 43:30

Reveal - Gen 45:2

Saul/Paul

Stood by and Watched Stephen being stoned,

a persecutor ( 1 Cor 15:9);

a blasphemer; an injurer/violent aggressor; an unbeliever; the chief of

sinners ( 1 Tim 1:12-15).

Choice – Guilt (Hurt I’ve Inflicted on Others)

Meeting Needs, Transforming Lives - Matthew 8:2-3 (NLT) “...a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”...” Restoring Community - Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will...” I Spoke – Changed by Grace Dave spoke – Fearing the Risk and the Cost

Ephesians 2:5-10 (NCV) – Fruit of Grace 5 Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace. 6 And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus 7 so that for all future time he could show the very great riches of his grace by being kind to us in Christ Jesus. 8 I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.

Embracing the Outcast

Overcoming Our Woundedness