I CHOOSE TO FORGET
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Philippians 3:7-14
Philippians 3:7-14
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Introduction:
Introduction:
All struggle with different areas of their lives at different times in their lives.
Some struggle with the present: finances, relationship, burdens, society, etc…
Some struggle with the future: health, retirement, uncertainty,
Some struggle with the past: decisions, sins, choices, regrets, etc….
These areas can become real hindrances in the life of everyone.
For some the present is difficult, others dread the unknown future, but for many the worst foe of the soul is the past.
Mainly because the past is able to become a dreadful present.
Satan, the great deceiver, has tempted, tested, tainted and brought turmoil to many people because of a past that haunts them…
Most of us would remember a certain place from our childhood that was “haunted”…a house, a room, a closet, etc… While I do not hold to the notion of a place that is haunted, I do believe that there are many “lives” that are haunted by a past!!!
Satan’s devices have not changed:
Satan’s devices have not changed:
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
First: he tempts the person making light of sin and the consequences.
First: he tempts the person making light of sin and the consequences.
Example of Adam and Eve
Second: when the person follows the devil and commits sin, he then tries to persuade the sinner that there is now no forgiveness….
Second: when the person follows the devil and commits sin, he then tries to persuade the sinner that there is now no forgiveness….
I. Remember and Reflect- vs. 7-8
I. Remember and Reflect- vs. 7-8
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Def: advocate=one who pleads the cause of another
Remember and Reflect
II. Repent and Rejoice-vs. 9-10
II. Repent and Rejoice-vs. 9-10
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
“that I may know Him”
The power of His resurrection:
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Some may say there is no way that God can forgive me…my past is just too horrible…my sins are just too great!!!
One of the greatest helps for all of us that are dealing with a giant of past is to see in the Word of God how Jesus dealt with folks…concerning repentance and restoration!!!
The publican:
The publican:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Zacchaeus:
Zacchaeus:
Luke 19:1-9
Woman in Adultery:
Woman in Adultery:
John 8:1-11
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Note- we see here “mercy and truth”
Mercy- Neither do I condemn thee
Mercy- Neither do I condemn thee
Truth- go, and sin no more
Truth- go, and sin no more
Woman at the well in John 4
Woman at the well in John 4
Forgiven woman in Luke 7
Forgiven woman in Luke 7
Peter and his denial, as soon as he sinned Jesus turned and looked at him, he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter and his denial, as soon as he sinned Jesus turned and looked at him, he went out and wept bitterly.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
The Apostle Paul: the great writer of 13 books of the New Testament:
The Apostle Paul: the great writer of 13 books of the New Testament:
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
The devil(or your guilty conscience) will alway bring up your past mistakes!!!
If you have repented of your sins(and in some cases made it right with the person you sinned against) then you can REJOICE because Jesus Christ completely forgives your sins!!!
Remember and Reflect
Remember and Reflect
Repent and Rejoice
Repent and Rejoice
III. Remind and Refocus-vs. 12-14
III. Remind and Refocus-vs. 12-14
Some have let a sin in their past become a giant while others have let the memories of:
The “good” old days…
The way it used to be…
I used to…
Become a hindrance of their current walk with God!!!
Elders in Ezra’s time as the temple was being rebuilt: wept because the new temple would not be as glorious:
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
In Ecclesiastes, there were those who were saying, “Why were the old days so much better than our days today?” God said that these questions are not wise.
Stop lamenting the way things used to be!
Certainly, you can be thankful for your history, but don’t live there! The past then becomes your giant of today. You’ll live ungrateful for what God is currently doing, whether it be big or small.
Zechariah 4:10
For who hath despised the day of small things?…
Whatever God is doing, it is to be seen as marvelous in our eyes.
There are those today who are so fond of the great revivals of the past that they are missing the revival that God may desire to do in their own lives today.
They are seeking something from the pages of history rather than looking expectantly at what God is doing today!
Remember the lessons of the past, learn from the hurts of the past then slay that giant…I CHOOSE TO CHANGE!!
Remember the lessons of the past, learn from the hurts of the past then slay that giant…I CHOOSE TO CHANGE!!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
A man was in great misery of soul: wandered along a country lane in England. He walked on and on until, finally, exhausted, he sat down under a hedge.
After a while of sitting there he heard two girls talking on the other side of the hedge:
They were discussing a sermon that had been heard:
One of the girls said I heard the preacher deliver his message and it stirred my soul and gave me hope…the other one enquired as to what had been said…
The preacher in his sermon stated:
The world will always say, “you made your bed and now you must lie in it’ but One greater than the world has said, ‘Take up thy bed and walk. Thy sins be forgiven thee.”
To every soul troubled by your past…He Says to YOU…take up your bed and walk. Thy sins are forgiven!!!
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.