Christmas is a Good Time... And a Tough Time Luke 2:8-11 Matthew 6:14-15

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1 Bethany Bible Church December 17, 2017 Dr. John Vawter, Interim Pastor Christmas is a Good Time... And a Tough Time Luke 2:8-11 Matthew 6:14-15 The Christmas Challenge: Jesus puts a high value on forgiveness. We Don t Forgive Because......the hurt is deep....we want to get even....we enjoy hating....we don t know how. Forgiveness Is Not......denying, condoning, or excusing what happened....remaking the past....forgetting; only God can forget. How We Forgive Psalm 139:23-24, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 2:13, Galatians 5:22-23 Give God the Holy Spirit the freedom to examine us. We Know We Have Forgiven When......we do not bring up the offense....we are not bitter....we don t try to remake the past.

2 Personal Application 2. Be honest with God (name the person specifically). 3. Pray: God, I need You in my life. I need you to work in my life. Questions for Discussion and Further Reflection 1. Why does Jesus place a high value on forgiveness? 2. What do you think Jesus meant when He said that if we don t forgive the sins of others, God will not forgive our sins? (Matthew 6:14-15) 3. Why is the phrase forgive and forget impossible and even improper for us to fulfill? 4. If God already knows everything about us, why does Pastor John encourage us to give the Holy Spirit permission to examine our hearts? 5. Why do you think forgiveness involves truly accepting who you are today? 6. Who do you need to forgive today?

3 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 Christmas is a Good Time And a Tough Time The Christmas Challenge And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 1

4 we want to get even we want to get even we enjoy hating remaking the past we want to get even we enjoy hating we do not know how remaking the past forgetting; Only God can forget 2

5 remaking the past forgetting; Only God can forget necessarily taking down safety barriers Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 How We Forgive Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. Philippians 2:13 3

6 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 we are not bitter we do not try to remake the past Dianne Gobel Meyer we are not bitter Dianne Gobel Meyer 4

7 we are not bitter we do not try to remake the past we leave the person and situation in God s hands 2. Be honest with God. Personal Application 2. Be honest with God. 3. Name the person in our mind. 2. Be honest with God. 3. Name the person in our mind. 4. God, I need You to work in me now. 5