The Ghost of Christmas Past

(Isaiah 1:18 NLT) “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD.


“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. 


Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me…” 



THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST 


 We can bury it. 


(Proverbs 28:13) He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 


 We can beat ourselves up.


(Psalm 38:4-8) I am drowning in the flood of my sins, they are a burden too heavy to bear. Because I have been foolish, I’m utterly worn out and crushed, my heart is troubled. 



 We can blame others. 


(Genesis 3:13) The serpent deceived me, and I ate. 



 We can believe God. 


(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 



GETTING PAST MY PAST 


(1 Timothy 1:13-15) Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 


The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 


Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 



1. Stop trying to earn forgiveness. 



(Ephesians 2:8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. 


(Matthew 10:8) …Freely you have received, freely give. 



2. Defeat every lie with the truth. 



(John 8:44) When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.



(1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT) Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 



3. Allow God to turn it around for good. 



(Romans 8:28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 


(Genesis 50:20) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 


(Romans 4:3) What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 


 You don’t need forgiveness, you need faith.


Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/the-ghost-of-christmas-past

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/files/groups/guides/12-16-12.pdf