Embracing Forgiveness: A No Offense Christmas
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of living a life free from offense, especially during the holiday season. As we enter December, a time often filled with joy and togetherness, it's crucial to reflect on how we can be truly "home" for Christmas—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. The idea is to embrace a "no offense" Christmas, where we let go of grudges and embrace forgiveness, grace, and love.
Offense can easily creep into our lives through minor irritations or significant betrayals. Whether it's a traffic incident or a deep-seated family issue, holding onto offense builds a metaphorical fence that isolates us from others and imprisons us in our own unforgiveness. This season, we are called to break free from this prison by embracing the forgiveness that Jesus offers us and extending it to others.
Our lives are too short, and our purposes too great, to be weighed down by offense. When we focus on God's purpose for us, the things that offend us shrink in significance. Proverbs 19:11 reminds us that it is to our glory to overlook a transgression, meaning we should pass over, pass by, or pass through offenses rather than letting them take root in our hearts.
We are encouraged to make two declarations: "I'm getting over being easily offended" and "I'm getting over big offenses." By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13, which call us to show tolerance and forgive others as the Lord forgave us. Forgiveness is not about excusing others' actions but about releasing our souls from the burden of offense.
As we prepare for Christmas, let's focus on the freedom and joy that come from living a life unburdened by offense. By releasing our grievances and embracing forgiveness, we can fully experience the love and grace of God, making this holiday season truly transformative.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Presence: Being physically present in worship and community offers a unique experience that online participation cannot fully replicate. The shared energy and connection in a physical space can enhance our spiritual journey and deepen our sense of belonging. [00:00]
2. Living Offense-Free: Holding onto offense builds a fence that isolates us from others and imprisons us in our own unforgiveness. By choosing to overlook offenses, we can break free from this prison and experience the fullness of God's love and purpose for our lives. [37:07]
3. The Importance of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not about excusing others' actions but about releasing our souls from the burden of offense. By forgiving others as the Lord forgave us, we align ourselves with God's teachings and open ourselves to His grace and mercy. [52:33]
4. Declarations of Freedom: Declaring "I'm getting over being easily offended" and "I'm getting over big offenses" empowers us to live a life unburdened by grudges. These declarations help us focus on God's purpose for us, allowing us to experience true freedom and joy. [46:49]
5. The Role of Purpose: Our lives are too short, and our purposes too great, to be weighed down by offense. When we focus on God's purpose for us, the things that offend us shrink in significance, allowing us to live a more fulfilling and impactful life. [41:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Personal Update
- [02:30] - Importance of Physical Presence
- [04:15] - Upcoming Christmas Events
- [06:00] - Series Introduction: Home for Christmas
- [08:30] - The Concept of a No Offense Christmas
- [10:45] - Everyday Offenses and Their Impact
- [15:00] - Serious Offenses and Their Consequences
- [20:00] - The Prison of Offense
- [25:00] - The Call to Forgiveness
- [30:00] - Declarations of Freedom
- [35:00] - The Role of Purpose in Overcoming Offense
- [40:00] - Biblical Insights on Forgiveness
- [45:00] - Personal Testimony and Lessons Learned
- [50:00] - Invitation to Embrace Forgiveness and Freedom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living a Life Free from Offense
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 19:11 - "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."
2. Ephesians 4:2 - "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love."
3. Colossians 3:13 - "Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 19:11 suggest about the relationship between discretion and anger? How does this relate to the idea of overlooking transgressions? [42:22]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of everyday offenses that can easily upset us? [35:11]
3. How does the pastor describe the impact of holding onto offenses during the holiday season? [40:00]
4. What are the two declarations mentioned in the sermon that can help us live a life free from offense? [46:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might overlooking a transgression, as mentioned in Proverbs 19:11, be seen as a form of personal growth or maturity? [42:22]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 4:2 challenge us to change our perspective on tolerance and forgiveness? [46:49]
3. How does the pastor's discussion of "offense building a fence" illustrate the consequences of holding onto grudges? [40:00]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that living offended is a form of ego? How does this perspective shift our understanding of offense? [49:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt offended. How might applying Proverbs 19:11 have changed your response? [42:22]
2. The pastor encourages us to declare, "I'm getting over being easily offended." What practical steps can you take this week to live out this declaration? [46:49]
3. Consider a significant offense you have been holding onto. What would it look like to release it and embrace the freedom described in Colossians 3:13? [52:33]
4. How can focusing on God's purpose for your life help diminish the significance of offenses you encounter? [41:24]
5. The sermon suggests that forgiveness is not about excusing others' actions but about releasing our souls. How can this understanding of forgiveness change the way you approach conflicts in your life? [52:33]
6. Think of a person or situation where you have been rehearsing past offenses. What steps can you take to stop rehearsing and start releasing these grievances? [54:09]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of "passing over" offenses into your daily interactions, especially during the holiday season? [43:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Presence
In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions, the power of physical presence in worship and community cannot be overstated. Being physically present allows individuals to experience a unique energy and connection that online participation often lacks. This shared experience can significantly enhance one's spiritual journey and deepen their sense of belonging within a community. The act of gathering together in a physical space fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, which can be transformative for both individuals and the community as a whole. [00:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you prioritize being physically present in your community this week, and what steps can you take to encourage others to join you?
Day 2: Living Offense-Free
Holding onto offense can create barriers that isolate us from others and imprison us in our own unforgiveness. By choosing to overlook offenses, we can break free from this self-imposed prison and experience the fullness of God's love and purpose for our lives. This involves a conscious decision to let go of minor irritations and significant betrayals, recognizing that our lives are too short and our purposes too great to be weighed down by grudges. Embracing a life free from offense allows us to live more fully and joyfully, in alignment with God's intentions for us. [37:07]
Proverbs 17:9 (ESV): "Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends."
Reflection: Identify a recent offense that you have been holding onto. What steps can you take today to begin letting it go and seeking reconciliation?
Day 3: The Importance of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful act that releases our souls from the burden of offense. It is not about excusing others' actions but about freeing ourselves from the weight of grudges and bitterness. By forgiving others as the Lord forgave us, we align ourselves with God's teachings and open ourselves to His grace and mercy. This act of forgiveness is transformative, allowing us to experience a deeper sense of peace and freedom in our lives. It is a gift we give to ourselves, as much as it is a gift to those we forgive. [52:33]
Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Reflection: Think of someone you need to forgive. What is one practical step you can take today to begin the process of forgiveness?
Day 4: Declarations of Freedom
Making declarations such as "I'm getting over being easily offended" and "I'm getting over big offenses" empowers us to live a life unburdened by grudges. These declarations help us focus on God's purpose for us, allowing us to experience true freedom and joy. By consciously choosing to let go of offenses, we align ourselves with a life of grace and love, opening ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. This intentional shift in mindset can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful life, free from the constraints of past grievances. [46:49]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What declaration of freedom can you make today to help you move past a specific offense or grievance?
Day 5: The Role of Purpose
Our lives are too short, and our purposes too great, to be weighed down by offense. When we focus on God's purpose for us, the things that offend us shrink in significance, allowing us to live a more fulfilling and impactful life. By aligning our lives with God's intentions, we can rise above the distractions and grievances that seek to hold us back. This focus on purpose empowers us to live with intention and clarity, embracing the fullness of life that God has planned for us. [41:24]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can refocus on God's purpose for you, and how might this shift help you overcome current offenses or distractions?
Quotes
Your life is too short and your purpose is too great to live offended. Hear me today. Your life is too short. You don't know the days of your life. But what I do know is it's too short to constantly walk around to a shrunken idea of the offense that I live. My life is too short. My purpose is too great. If you're in the room today, I need you to hear me. You have a purpose from God. [00:40:36] (31 seconds)
He's going, how dare you come into the kingdom, and you absorb the forgiveness, and you absorb my love, and my mercy, and my grace, and that is readily available for you, but refuse to deliver it. Refuse to extend it. Refuse to give it. He goes, forgive others just as the Lord forgave you, and in case you forgot, or maybe you haven't extended your prayer and your submission to Christ yet, to live that forgiveness, to live that mercy, and live that grace. [00:53:01] (30 seconds)
Human nature is going to cause us to rehearse it. Psychology calls it ruminating. And what it literally means is we bring up the old past, and we chew on it, and we think about what we should have said, what we should have done, and what they did to us, and how they ruined our lives, and all that. And I'm telling you, it's time to walk away from rehearsing. It doesn't mean that you ignore it. In fact, I believe that if you want to release it, here's what you do. I believe you acknowledge what took place. [00:54:37] (29 seconds)
Forgiveness is not about them. It's about me. It's about letting the prison gates go so that I can walk in the fullness of what God has for me, because my life is too short, and my purpose is too great to live offended. And so I can offer forgiveness, never get it from the person, and still walk in the freedom of it. So I acknowledge what took place. I offer forgiveness, and then watch this. I release it. [00:56:18] (25 seconds)
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