Part 3: Overcoming Labels
The Ghosts of Christmas Past • Sermon • Submitted
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Power of Words: Create—Motivate—Encourage—Shape Hurt—Wound—Discourage—Destroy.
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST—3 LABELS
Create—Motivate—Encourage—Shape Hurt—Wound—Discourage—Destroy.
Just Words: Sticks and stones—Stupidest thing ever said!
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21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
“It’s better for people to think you are an idiot than for you to open up your mouth and prove it!” (Mark Twain, paraphrased)
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When we hear something over and over—Believe it
Charity and I told our kids when they were younger (and still sometimes do): “God has a plan and purpose for your life. God made you special and He loves you very much and we do too!”
Instead more difficult to do what I do if I heard: Nothing. Stupid. Loser. Pathetic.
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Sadly, some struggle in the present because of labels picked up in the past.
➢Someone said something about you—makes you feel.
➢You did something and can’t shake the guilt and regret and the shame has become your identity like we talked about last week
➢Heard enough on outside—will believe on inside.
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They may call you: Lazy, Insecure, Sensitive, Bad relationships, Family: Dysfunctional, Average, Hotheaded, Annoying, Too much, Family: Broken
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Might be some truth: (Lazy=Not most motivated, hotheaded=temper)
What’s true about you now doesn’t have to be true about you later.
What’s true about you now doesn’t have to be true about you later.
God’s power is bigger than your past.
God’s power is bigger than your past.
(Neg Label) NAME IT SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Jacob loved Rachel (Rachel—Tend those sheep)
16 ...Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was
16 Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense.
17 After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!”
18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”).
having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. f But his father named him Benjamin.
Rachel lovely figure & was beautiful-- Leah had weak eyes (Good Personality)
7 years, Tricked (Leah), 7 more.
Couldn’t conceive—Finally—Wanted another: Didn’t go well.
Rachel named her son one thing
The Father named the son something else.
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This generation is creative!
➢Boys: Aarow, Bobo, Miggy, Tergel, Blade
18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”).
➢Girls: Frooti, Drshti, Messiah, La—a
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18 As [Rachel] breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. f But his father named him Benjamin.
As she breathes her last breath—Her son breathes his first. Ben-Oni: Ben (Son) Oni (Sorrow)—Son of My Sorrow!
Totally understandable! She will never feed, Comfort, First steps, Grow up.
Rachel wasn’t only one grieving: Jacob (Crazy about wife, best friend)
But when she wants to label their son: “Son of my sorrow”—No!
True in the moment—Wouldn’t be true forever! The father took what was—Called it something else!
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Jacob had experience of renaming (Gen. 32:22-28)
He was called Jacob— : Wrestled with God
Give me a blessing: You are no longer —Israel (My God prevails)
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Since we’re renaming—I’m calling this place: Penuel (Face of God) Saw face of God and lived!
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Grieving mom—Son of my sorrows—Benjamin (Son of my right hand)
Right hand symbolized blessing!
What others call a curse—I call a blessing!
Enemy meant for harm—I will find the good!
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Deceiver - You don’t get to choose what comes into your life.
You don’t get to choose what comes into your life.
Jacob - You do get to choose what you call it.
You do get to choose what you call it.
May look like Son of My Sorrow—But this is Son of My Right Hand.
Is there a label you don’t like—Call it something else!
Remember: God’s power is bigger than your past!
Young pastor (23): Partier, Liar, Cheat Hindrance? Liability?
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Pastor Craig
You will grow into your new name
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Personal Illustration:
told not to be in ministry because of past; labeled: lost cause
Never intended to be normal—Do something different!
let everyone down because of bad decisions and choices; labeled: God can’t use a failure
My enemy thought that would stop me—Strengthened me!
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If you don’t like what you’ve been called—Name it something different!
Insecure—Confident in Christ.
Lazy—You are motivated by a calling
Miserable—Joy of the Lord strength
Lost cause - bought with a price/I’m a “whosoever”
Failure - in my weakness He is strong; greater is He in me
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You’re not undependable, cheater, loser, failure.
Forgiven, Transformed, Made new.
My Pastor Nick—Strength—You can relate to where people are
Healed. Loved. You are an overcomer—Blood of the lamb!
Healed. Loved. You are an overcomer—Blood of the lamb!
➢Tough season—Conformed to the image of Christ
➢So alone right now—Drawing close to Christ—My strength!
➢Failure—Learned so much.
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You don’t get to choose what comes in—Choose what you call it.
Others may have named/labeled you one thing but the Father has called you something different!
Others may have named/labeled you one thing but the Father has called you something different!