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(12/22) Today, we are wrapping up our three-part series, "Ghosts of Christmas Past," and today’s message is particularly significant as we delve into overcoming the names that have kept us bound, those false identities that we so often wrongly believe about ourselves. And I believe that today, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and by confronting and releasing these misconceptions, we can step into the true identity God has for us experiencing the freedom and purpose he desires for us.

Over the past two weeks, we have explored how certain aspects of our past may have followed us, haunted us, and even paralyzed us from living the life God intended for us. And so, my prayer this morning is that on this journey, that we like Scrooge, would be led to a deeper understanding of how our past choices have shaped who we have become.

We have all heard the old English proverb, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" And yet, if we are honest, that has got to be one of the most misleading statements ever made, because words have the power to deeply wound and sting leaving scars that can linger with us for a lifetime. And so, words can pierce our hearts and minds, echoing in our thoughts, and shaping our perception of ourselves and others in profound ways. In fact, the Scriptures tell us,

"The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21).

And so, the Holy Spirit reminds us that our words hold immense power, that they can build up or tear down, and the truth is that when you hear a lie long enough, it is almost impossible not to believe it.

We see this common form of deception in many areas of our contemporary culture, as it is commonly taught in schools that evolution is a fact when it actually takes more faith to believe in evolution than in creationism. Or even the concept of gender, choosing one's gender—or even identifying as a different species—is becoming more and more widely accepted. And the root of it all was a decision made in 1963, to remove the Word of God from public schools, and this has led to a situation where moral absolutes are often absent, leading to widespread confusion and misinformation.

In other words, the point I am trying to make is that words have the remarkable ability to shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Words can breathe life into dreams and aspirations or cast shadows of doubt and despair. And so, words literally mold our reality, influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Some of you may have been blessed with parents who were natural encouragers, constantly reminding you of your value, telling you, "You are remarkable, distinctive, outstanding, exceptional, or you have potential." Those uplifting words have significantly shaped who you are, your achievements, and your successes because you believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

On the other hand, imagine growing up hearing, "You're not good enough, you always mess things up, you’re just a failure, or you will never change." Those words can leave deep and painful scars on your self-image and self-worth, shaping your perception of yourself in profoundly negative ways, because they take root in our minds, leading to an ongoing battle with feelings of insufficiency, self-doubt, and worthlessness. This continual barrage of negativity wears down our confidence, crushes our spirit, and leads to a relentless battle within our minds that ultimately determines the path we take in life.

And so, what we hear repeatedly, we often come to believe, and these harmful words can define us if we let them. Many of us struggle today because of the names we have picked up in the past because we have allowed them to hold us back. In other words, not only do they have the power to shape our lives but the names we accept can significantly limit us from living the life God has planned for us. And so, it is time to break these chains and embrace the truth of who we are in Christ.

We can overcome the stigma of names spoken over us in both the past, present, and future because the Bible tells us, "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4 NIV). That is an essential truth that I want you to feel and embrace in faith because God’s power is far greater than your past and his grace is stronger than any name anyone could speak over you.

And so, if you have accepted and come to believe a name that paralyzes and holds you back, I want to encourage you to redefine it. Instead of letting a name dictate your identity and future, take a bold step and rename it, choosing words that reflect your true potential, strength, and worth in Jesus Christ. Fully embrace who he has called you to be and names that align with the person he has called you and created you to be. Because today, you have the power to rewrite your narrative, breaking free from the past, and stepping into a future filled with hope, purpose, and transformation.

Much like the story I want to share with you today from Genesis chapter 35 about a man named Jacob who fell deeply in love with a young girl named Rachel. He had met her at a well where she was tending to her father’s sheep, and he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He was instantly attracted to her kindness and beauty, and upon learning that she was the daughter of his uncle Laban, he readily agreed to work for him for seven years in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage.

Jacob's deep love for Rachel made the years pass quickly. However, on his wedding night, his uncle Laban deceived him by giving him his eldest daughter, Leah, instead of Rachel. When Jacob confronted Laban, he explained that it was customary to marry off the older daughter before the younger one. Laban then offered Rachel to Jacob as well, but only if Jacob agreed to work for him for another seven years. Jacob accepted the terms, married Rachel, and completed his second seven-year commitment to Laban.

After they were married, Jacob and Rachel dreamed of having a family but struggled to conceive. After years of praying, heartbroken, and desperate, they eventually had a child and then another. However, Rachel's second pregnancy ended tragically while they were traveling to Bethlehem.

Genesis chapter 35, verse 16, states that after leaving Bethel, while they were still some distance from Ephrath, known as Bethlehem, Rachel began to give birth and experienced great difficulty. Now, during that time, emergency C-sections were not available, and so Rachel was in serious danger. Verse 17 says,

"As she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid, for you have another son" (Genesis 35:17 NIV).

The next verse, verse 18, is particularly heartbreaking because Rachel, the only woman Jacob truly loved, the bride for whom he worked for 14 years breathed her last. As she was dying,

"She named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin" (Genesis 35:18 NIV).

As Rachel held her newborn son in her final moments, she said, "Your name is Ben-Oni." And she expressed her deep sorrow by naming him "Son of my sorrow," knowing that she would never be able to feed him, celebrate his first steps, or see him grow up and start a family of his own.

However, she wasn’t the only one grieving, her husband, Jacob, was also experiencing great pain as his wife breathed her last. And so, when Rachel called their son, "Son of my sorrow," Jacob intervened because he knew that what might be true in that moment didn’t have to be true forever. And he renamed their son "Benjamin," which means, "Son of my right hand," because the right hand was a symbol of blessing and favor in their culture.

Jacob wisely chose to rename him, seeing the good in what was meant to cause harm. While his wife only saw sorrow, Jacob recognized the baby as a gift from God. This teaches us that, although we may not control what happens in our lives, we have the power to choose our perspective. In the same way, if you feel labeled by a name that doesn't reflect who you are or who you aspire to be, remember that you have the power to choose a name that aligns with your true self and aspirations.

We must remember that the power of God dwelling within us is far greater than our past experiences and the Bible is filled with stories of individuals who overcame difficult pasts and went on to be greatly used by God. For example, consider Moses, who was a murderer; David, who committed adultery; Saul, who persecuted Christians; Rahab, who was a prostitute; Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by demons; and Peter, who denied knowing Jesus three times. Each one of these individuals illustrates that with faith and repentance, God can transform anyone into a great servant for His purposes, regardless of their past.

You can do it because God’s power dwelling within us is far greater than our past. What may be true about you right now doesn’t have to be true later because God’s grace is so much more powerful than any name anyone could speak over you. And so, I want to encourage you to see yourself, your situation, or circumstances from a different perspective and call it something different. Because what might seem to be a liability right now can become your greatest asset.

For example, look at Joseph in the book of Genesis. In spite of being sold into slavery by his brothers and facing numerous hardships, he eventually rose to a position of great power in Egypt. When he came face-to-face with his brothers, he said,

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

Joseph’s story is a powerful example that what may seem like a liability in our lives can be transformed into our greatest asset through God’s grace and purpose. This verse emphasizes our belief that God can transform even the cruelest intentions and the most painful circumstances into something that serves his greater purpose.

Romans chapter eight, reassures us that God’s power working within us is far greater than any of our past mistakes and even our current struggles. Verse 28 says,

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

And so, the Holy Spirit reminds us that even in difficult times, we can trust God’s plan, knowing that he is working for our good and his purpose. That means that we would be wise to see things from God’s perspective so that we are able to find purpose, rejoice in our trials, and persevere with hope as we align ourselves with His will.

If you don’t like the name you’ve been given, rename it this Christmas and transform it into something that empowers you. Because you have the ability to reshape your narrative, stepping boldly into the future with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

Throughout the Scriptures, God often gives new names as symbols of transformation, renewal, and a new identity as a child of God, along with a renewed status and purpose. For example, in Genesis 32, Jacob was renamed by God while he was wrestling with Him. The Lord said to Jacob,

"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome" (Genesis 32:28 NIV).

From that moment forward Jacob became known as Israel, signifying a fresh start, a new purpose, and a renewed relationship with God.

There may be someone here who has been wrestling with God, but he is calling you into a personal and intimate relationship with him. He is calling you to grow into something new, you may not understand it yet, but you will grow into it over time. He is calling you into a new identity with him, and when you believe you will recognize that Christ in you is more than enough. In that moment you will be able to proclaim with the apostle Paul,

"I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul realized that every challenge the enemy aimed to use against him—challenges meant to crush, stop, or defeat him—were actually transformed by God into sources of strength. And so, it is in those moments of weakness that God’s power shines the brightest, turning adversity into a display of His unwavering strength, resilience, and grace.

I believe that someone here today needed to hear this message. You may have identified yourself with a name that someone gave you in the past. While that name might have felt true at the time, it is no longer valid and does not define you forever. Just as Jacob refused to accept the name his newborn son was given, believing that God had something better in mind, and you too can reject any names that don’t align with God’s vision for you.

If you are here today and you don’t like the name you’ve been given, take the initiative to change it and redefine your identity. Maybe someone called you insecure, and you have grown up with that label, you have carried that identity for too long. And so, I encourage you to boldly declare,

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

In other words, you have everything you need in Christ to do what He calls you to do. And so, redefine your identity and choose a new name for yourself.

Declare that you have been transformed by the renewing of your mind. You are motivated to fulfill God’s calling on your life, you are driven by a divine mandate, and you declare as the apostle Paul,

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14 NIV).

You are no longer defined by the names others have placed on you because God has given you a new name. You are empowered by his grace, and you can wake up every day with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to use your gifts to make a difference in the world.

Some of you may be feeling discouraged or depressed but I want to encourage you to rejoice in the Lord and declare as Nehemiah did because,

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV).

That is important because we don’t live by sight or by our feelings, but we live by faith. And so, we can choose to see things differently, you can take the negative and turn it into something positive. And so, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, focus your thoughts on those things, and you will come to believe them over time.

When you believe and confess God's truth, you are transformed, made new, and able to overcome all things by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony (Revelation 12:11).

In essence, you redefine your identity because you are being molded into the image of Christ. Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame for the joy set before Him, and similarly, you are being shaped through perseverance by putting your faith and trust in Him. And so, you declare it, you let God be true and every man a liar. So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge (Romans 3:4). In other words, you boldly declare God’s truth, allowing every contrary voice to fall away, and you redefine your weaknesses knowing that you are being conformed to the image of Christ.

As you learn to identify your weaknesses and place your faith and trust in God you are being shaped into his likeness. Although it may seem that you are experiencing pain on the outside, you are actually undergoing a process of inner transformation, and your spiritual roots are growing deeper. And so, for some of you, it may feel like winter now, but you know that spring is coming, and you are drawing closer to Christ. As you come near to him, the Bible promises, he will come near to you (James 4:8). And so, at this moment, as you draw near to him, he is your strength and comfort.

Someone may have called you a failure, and while it may be true that you have failed, redefine it and consider the experience that you have gained. Think about how much you have learned and how you are growing spiritually. And whenever your enemy calls you something you don’t like, name it something different, because even though you don’t get to choose what happens to you in life, you do get to choose what you name it.

In the spirit of this season, the prophet Isaiah said,

"Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

And so, when the enemy whispers, "You are not good enough, you're never going to make it, you are never going to succeed," and "If they really knew you…" Remember these are merely the Ghosts of Christmas Past, but we serve a Savior who was making all things new. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Lord of the brand-new Christmas morning.

As we draw this time to a close, I want to leave you with a message of hope and encouragement: redefine your identity and your circumstances with unwavering faith, hope, and the confidence that God's goodness will always prevail. Embrace the new identity that God has designed for you, as it is written,

"You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow" (Isaiah 62:2).

Take hold of God’s promise and step boldly into the future He has planned for you. Remember that while the shadows of the past may attempt to restrain you and hold you back, it is God's promise that propels you forward with unstoppable force.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

May each one of you walk in the fullness of this truth, with your heart lifted high and your spirit edified by His grace. Move forward with courage and conviction, knowing that you are a cherished new creation in Christ. Amen.

Read past sermons by Pastor John Talcott