Ghosts of Christmas Past 2

Christmas, for many it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, it’s a painful reminder of the past.

What if THIS CHRISTMAS, you say good-bye to the Ghosts of Christmas Past and allow God to restore the Joy of Christmas?

For the next few weeks we are going to uncover a few Ghosts of Christmas Past that have a tendency to steal the Joy of Christmas.

During Christmas things seem to become magnified.

Loneliness becomes deeper.

Loss becomes greater.

Hurts and wounds from broken relationships become amplified.

We let what someone did or said keep us from enjoying meaningful relationships at Christmas.

Someone has hurt or offended us so we don’t go home.

Offenses:

Luke 17:1-4 NKJV Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ³ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Notice Jesus says offenses will come.

You’re going to be offended.

In fact, how many would say, “I know someone who has been offended?”

How many would say, “I am the one who has been offended?”

There are some who are “easily offended.”

Luke 17:1 NKJV Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!”

1. Being Offended is MY Choice.

Here’s what the Lord has taught me about offenses: I choose to be offended.

When I am wronged, or when I feel like I’ve been wronged, I always have the choice to be offended.

Notice ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

If someone sins against you seven times in a day!

My question is how does someone sin against us 7 times in a day?

The answer is because we chose to forgive the other 6!

Being offended is always a choice! It’s choosing to hold a grudge the 7^th time instead of forgiving like you did the previous six times.

Many people find themselves offended at other people.

Proverbs 19:11 NIV A personʼs wisdom yields patience; it is to oneʼs glory to overlook an offense.

The solution to being offended is choosing forgiveness over offense.

2. Failure to Forgive is Rebellion.

“You’ll never have to forgive someone more than God has forgiven you!”

Jesus taught that those who refuse to forgive would not be forgiven. Unforgiveness jeopardizes your relationship with God.

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Failure to forgive is rebellion.

We want to be forgiven, but Jesus taught that God forgives us in the same manner we forgive others.

Colossians 3:13 NLT Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

That’s a high standard!

The way we forgive, release and restore others is the way in which we will be forgiven, released and restored.

3. Be Known for Forgiveness.  

Make it your daily prayer to pray, “Lord, help my first response to be forgiveness rather than be angry, offended or defensive. Help me see each moment as an opportunity to forgive as You’ve forgiven me."

Imagine never being offended!

Instead of looking for offenses, look for opportunities to forgive.

How important is forgiveness?

Mark 11:25-26 NKJV “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Interrupt your other prayers and forgive.

Make forgiveness an absolute priority.

Unforgiveness doesn’t hurt the other person, it hurts me.

“Refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

"Forgiveness isn't saying they were right, forgiveness is freeing me from the hurts of my past, and empowering me to live free."

The way you forgive those who hurt you is the way God will forgive you.

“You’ll never have to forgive someone more than God has forgiven you!”

Romans 12:17-18 NIV Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Bitterness is a root that starts small.

As it is nourished it begins to increase in depth and strength.

– You’ve been right and been done wrong.

The only way you can put an end to bitterness is to take the axe of forgiveness and chop up the root.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

We must learn to live with an attitude of forgiveness that mirrors the God kind of forgiveness.

“Just as” is the key to allowing God to rid our hearts of the bitterness that has the potential to destroy every relationship we have.

The only way to rid your heart of bitterness is through the power of forgiveness.

This is where you’ve must have the grace of God.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

The grace of God works in 2 ways.

The Grace of God is not just unmerited favor.

Titus 2:11-12 NIV For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

The Grace of God when it comes into your life:

1)    Gives you the DESIRE to do God’s will.

2)    Gives you the STRENGTH to follow through with it.

Some don’t want to forgive.

– The Grace of God will fill your heart with desire.

– The Grace of God follows desire up with strength.

It’s only through the avenue of the Grace of God that you’re going to be free from bitterness.

If you are going to go free, you must know the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the supernatural burst of energy we need to break free from the grip of bitterness and resentment on our lives.

Once we learn to accept God’s forgiveness in our own lives and learn to offer that same forgiveness to others, then we will begin to live a life of freedom and peace.

It’s a daily choice to forgive anyone who has hurt or offended you so you can be forgiven by God.

The way you forgive those who hurt you is the way God will forgive you.

How different would your life be if you walked in forgiveness every day?

God predetermined how He would respond to your sin!

What if we did the same? What if we predetermined how we would respond to hurt and offenses?

How different would this church be? It would be like Jesus!

Once we learn to accept God’s forgiveness in our own lives and learn to offer that same forgiveness to others, then we will begin to live a life of freedom and peace. 

That’s what forgiveness does. Forgiveness restores our ability to reconnect with one another.

Relationships are not perfect. There will be snags and problems.

Forgiveness will be required.

This Christmas you are offended at those who have hurt you in some way; physically, emotionally, relationally; what if This Christmas you chop up that root of bitterness and forgive.

Forgiveness will bury the Ghosts of Christmas Past and allow you to enjoy a peaceful Christmas.