Goodbye 2020 and Goodbye to: Week
#4 – Wounded-ness
Ephesians 4:29-32
Victory Fellowship January 31, 2021 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. It can be amazing what the Holy Spirit does with us if we let Him.” He transforms our lives – removing the undesirable habits and behaviors and giving us a magnetic quality that draws believers and unbelievers to us to desire what we have.
b. We need to allow room for the Fruit of the Spirit to transform us and re-make us after the image of Christ. To allow more room for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - we need to take to change those attitudes and behaviors in our lives that hinder the work of the Spirit.
c. As we say goodbye to 2020, I want to discuss - over the next 5 weeks - attitudes or behaviors that we should also say goodbye to:
i. Being too Stubborn to Change
ii. Negativity
iii. Self-Centeredness
iv. Wounded-ness (playing the victim)
v. Fault-finding (blaming others)
II. This 4th week I want to focus on saying goodbye to Wounded-ness and Unforgiveness.
a. A wise person prepares for the unexpected.
b. Often enough our lives are interrupted by random or even intentional problems we encounter through no fault of our own.
c. When this occurs it would be foolish to give up on our faith or think that God has no plans for us. Even worse, to walk around wounded with a victim mentality and unforgiveness that paralyzes any spiritual growth from occurring.
III. Application:
a. We need to say goodbye to hanging on to wounds of the past. While we must certainly deal with repercussions of being harmed, we must come to a place where we forgive others as Christ forgave us.
b. It is not productive for us to bad-mouth the person responsible or become paralyzed in bitterness.
c. As Paul said… Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them and Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
d. Depending on the situation it’s not always easy to do. But God helps us. Remember, (God) has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
e. The Holy Spirit will help us and heal us of wounded-ness and unforgiveness.
IV. Conclusion:
a. We have agreed to ask God to help us examine our lives - and if we see any of these behaviors present - I say it’s time to say goodbye to:
i. Being too Stubborn to Change
ii. Negativity
iii. Self-Centeredness
iv. Wounded-ness (playing the victim)
v. Fault-finding (blaming others)
This week especially let’s examine in what areas we may need to forgive others and say goodbye to wounded-ness. Come Holy Spirit!
PRAYER
SONG: Loving My Jesus
