The Grinch

Introduction

Christmas movies have a way of speaking to us, no matter how old we are

They make us laugh, they make us cry, and sometimes—without realizing it—they point to something true about life and faith.

I’ve titled today message — Kindness is a big deal

And today, since our K–5th graders are in the service with us, we’re looking at one of the most famous Christmas characters ever:

The Grinch. He’s green, he’s grumpy, and he’s convinced he hates Christmas. But what’s interesting is this:

The Grinch isn’t really the villain of the story, he’s the one who needs help the most.

Because the truth is, sometimes the people who act the meanest… are actually the people who are hurting the most.

So before we watch this first scene, I want you to pay attention to why the Grinch lives the way he does.

Look beyond his behavior and notice his heart.

Play Clip One (Its better this way)

The Grinch’s problem isn’t his behavior — It’s his heart

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

He pushes people away. He lives bitter, angry, and alone. But here’s what’s important:

His real problem isn’t what he does

Deep down, the Grinch feels unloved, unwanted, and unseen. His meanness is just the outside layer. The real issue is a hurting heart on the inside.

We all understand this…

When our hearts get hurt, we act different. We get defensive. We protect ourselves. Sometimes we even hurt others

The Bible teaches that our biggest problem isn’t our behavior—it’s our heart.

God doesn’t just want us to “behave better.”

He wants to heal us. Restore us. Make us new.

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

Every one needs a new heart

But how God goes about fixing this problem is very important

its not punishment

it’s transformation

A changed heart leads to a changed life.

And just like the Grinch, many people right around us carry hidden hurts—things that make their hearts feel small, closed, or cold

But Jesus came at Christmas to heal what’s broken on the inside.

Bind up the broken heart… set the captives fere

Transition into Clip Two

In the next scene, something surprising happens.

The Grinch is planning to ruin the big Christmas tree lighting. But instead of ruining it… he ends up falling right into it.

Play Clip Two

The Grinch didn’t wake up bitter one day

His past shaped his heart

When the Grinch hears the Who’s singing, it triggers something deep inside him

He remembers moments when he felt left out… moments when he felt different… moments when he wasn’t wanted.

The Grinch didn’t become “the Grinch” because he liked being mean.

He became who he was because of a wound.

A wound is a hurt from the past… a moment of rejection… words someone spoke over you… something unfair that happened

Those things can shape us more than we realize.

But here’s the hope of the Gospel

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

He says that we don’t have to be who we once were

we are made new…

Because of Jesus, our past does not define us

You don’t have to be defined by:

who hurt you

what you did

what was said about you

the mistakes behind you

or the labels someone put on you

When we come to Jesus, we’re not just forgiven, we’re made new.

Just like the Grinch didn’t have to stay stuck in the hurt of his past, you don’t have to stay stuck in yours.

Jesus rewrites stories.

He restores broken places.

He replaces shame with purpose.

He gives you a new heart and a new identity

you may be asking yourself… how does God change our hearts

Transition: Lets watch and see…

Play Clip Three

The Grinch is stealing Christmas and he comes face to face with Cindy Lou Who

And what she wants for Christmas isn’t toys or presents or anything for herself

All she wants is something good for her mom

This moment stops the Grinch in his tracks

It catches him off guard.

And something happens

Something started to change

Not because someone argued with him, judged him, or shamed him.

His heart started to change because of kindness.

One simple act…

One child who cared more about others than herself…

That’s when the first crack in his hard heart appeared.

And this is exactly how God changes us.

Romans 2:4 “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

Not fear

Not guilt

Not pressure

Kindness.

What is Kindness

kindness goes against our expectations

Correction was always consequence

Childhood memories, current parenting moments

We are taught/trained to expect certain things

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Because kindness shows us something we didn’t expect…

Play Clip Four (Singing though Grinch has all their gifts)

He’s taken everything—every present, every decoration, every last piece of Christmas cheer—and carried it all the way to the top of Mount Crumpet.

He thinks he’s finally won.

If Christmas is all about stuff, then taking the stuff should take away the joy… right?

But then he hears something.

The Whos are singing.

Not crying

Not complaining

Not angry

WHY?

Because their joy wasn’t in the stuff

Kindness is the root — Joy is the fruit.

Kindness starts in the heart.

Joy grows out of a heart that has been shaped by kindness.

The Whos aren’t joyful because life is perfect.

They’re joyful because they choose kindness—even toward someone who hurt them.

Their kindness isn’t a reaction, it’s who they are

And because they choose kindness…joy naturally follows.

Kindness keeps joy from being tied to things

This is the big deal! (Move away from Who’s to us)

you can’t be kind and selfish

The Whos have joy even when everything is taken because their joy never depended on things in the first place.

Why?

Because kindness anchored them.

Kindness toward each other.

Kindness toward the Grinch.

Kindness rooted in love.

When your heart is full of kindness, your joy isn’t fragile.

It’s not based on what you have.

It’s based on who you are.

and we are new creations in Christ

therefore we are able to do something like this…

Play Clip Five

Cindy Lou Who practiced kindness

She put her mom first

She invited the Grinch to Christmas Dinner

What would it look like for us to practice Kindness

Use Kind Words

Say “thank you.”

Give real compliments

Speak gently

Words can heal or hurt. Choose kind words.

Do Something Helpful Without Being Asked

Take out the trash

Help with dinner

Pick up something that’s not yours

Small acts make a huge difference

Share What You Have

Toys, time, attention—even snacks.

Sharing is one of the simplest ways to show kindness

Look for Someone Who’s Alone

At school, church, work, or even at home

Invite them to sit with you

Kindness includes people

Pray for Someone

Put their name in your heart

Ask God to help them, bless them, comfort them

Prayer is kindness God notices