Let it leave

Philippians 3:12–14 NKJV

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Introduction:

January 5 – The Value of Life: A fresh start begins with understanding that every life has worth, purpose, and divine intention.

January 8 – His Kingdom, His Glory: A fresh start is not about building our own kingdom, but seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.

January 12 – Intimacy with God: A fresh start requires deeper intimacy with God—He calls us to know Him, not just know about Him.

January 19 – Repentance: A true fresh start is only possible through repentance—turning away from sin and turning fully to God.

January 26 – Forgiving Others: A fresh start means releasing the burden of unforgiveness, just as Christ has forgiven us.

Today’s Introduction:

One of the most important things to do in letting my past leave my present is making amends.

Stop pulling your security from who you were and start pulling it from who you are in Christ. (Let your old man leave.)

your sins are entirely forgiven.

1. One of the most important things to do in letting my past leave my present is making amends.

a. What happens to many of us is that we experience and know the forgiveness of God, and forget there are people still living with the destruction that we left in our wake.

I want you to understand that I am not preaching this to make you feel ashamed or guilty about where you have been or what you have done. I don’t want anyone I know, (let alone the people I pastor,) to live in fear, guilt, shame, sorrow, or pain. The reason I preach this stuff is so that our pasts catch up with us. I have seen it over, and over, and over. people move forward and because they didn’t

Luke 19:8 NKJV

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

b. Let me give you a Zacheus overview.

Zacheus was a Hebrew man working for the Roman Government.

The way that seemed to work was the Roman government was that they made indigenous people their own tax collectors.

Making Indigenous people your tax collector is genius because they know their own people.

In the Jewish world Zacheus was considered a trader both politically and spiritually. Politically He was trader because he was funding the Roman occupation. Spiritually he was a trader because he was helping the promoters of false gods desecrate the promise land.

Then personally he was a trader because he could charge extra and line his own nest.

Zacheus had preference from the Roman government and he likely had enough money to buy everything he wanted and found that Donkeys, (or nice trucks,) clothes and houses or parties are not the same as being where and with who the Lord called you to be with. Zacheus was not in the gutter financially, but he was in every other way.

How do I know? I am so so glad that you asked! Remember your Sunday School class now and the song. “Zacheus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he! He climbed up in the sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see.” When we are at peace we don't go seeking.… We especially don't go climbing trees to overcome obstetrical just because.

The first gospel in our Bible was written by a tax collector who’s life was forever changed by contact with Jesus, Matthew. (Matthew 9:9 “9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.”) I wonder if Zacheus saw the change in Matthew and it made him Hungry for The Lord?

Zacheus said that he would make amends. Matthew was changed. You are changed today. your face-book post wont speak as loud as your actions.

2. Stop pulling your security from who you were and start pulling it from who you are in Christ. (Let your old man leave.)

for far to long. I have slipped back into what I perceived my strength. (I say perceived, for two reasons. First with my natural strength their is a natural weaknesses. Next you can know your strengths, however I will probably not know my finest moment until I get to heaven. also, it probably wont be a public one.

a. You are a new creation in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

behold all things have become New. We have to let them be new. we have to arrest the dad head. The dead head is the old way of thinking.

b.you are free condemnation in Christ.

Romans 8:1 NKJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

c. You are loved and accepted.

Romans 8:39 NKJV

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. your sins are entirely forgiven.

Psalm 103:12 NKJV

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25 NKJV

25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

Hebrews 8:12 NKJV

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Conclusion: Let It Leave

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul makes it clear—he hasn’t arrived, but he presses forward. That’s the call today. If we want to fully embrace our fresh start, we must let go of the weight of the past.

Zacchaeus showed us that transformation isn’t just about personal forgiveness; it’s about making things right where possible. He didn’t just say he was changed—he took action to reflect his new life in Christ. Likewise, you are not defined by where you’ve been, but by who you are in Him.

So today, make the decision:

Let go of the past—you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Stop identifying with who you were—you are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1).

Embrace the fullness of God’s forgiveness—your sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

God isn’t holding your past against you. The question is, are you? Let the old man leave. Walk in the newness of life that Christ has given you. Press forward toward the high calling of God. Let it leave.