Past, Present, Future

Introduction:

I. When I look back on my life sometimes, I wish I could go back to simpler times.

II. Other times I can’t help but be grumpy when I am in frustrating situation.

III. However, I am always trying to look forward to the good things of the future.

IV. The Israelites failed God often because they were too busy either looking back or complaining about their current situation to remember the blessings coming at the promised land.

Body:

I. The people of yesterday. (Num. 14:1-4)

A. This is a people focused on the past.

1. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt living hard lives in bondage.

2. Even though the Lord had brought them out of the land of Egypt they continued looking back to Egypt.

B. Those who look back are not worthy of him. (Lk.9:61-62)

1. In those days when you would be plowing your fields you would be steering to keep the rows straight.

2. If you looked away, you could very likely make the row crooked.

3. As we are supposed to be walking in the light as Jesus is in the light when we look back after that old life of sin, we can lose our path.

C. Since we have been baptized that old man is dead and we cannot go back to him. (Rom. 6:1-4)

1. We cannot obtain the prize if we are looking back longingly at our former lives. (Rev. 2:10)

2. Peter tells us that to turn back is worse than never knowing. (2 Pet. 2:19-22)

II. The people of today. (Num. 13:31-33)

A. These are the people who are focused on their problems now.

1. The Israelites were constantly complaining about their food, water, and any other inconveniences on their journey.

2. Aren’t we on a spiritual wilderness today? (Heb. 4:3-9)

3. In our wilderness are we going to complain about our conditions?

B. We are going to go through rough times. (Mt. 5:11-12)

1. If we are not being persecuted, are we truly followers of Christ? (Jn. 15:20)

2. We are told that if we truly desire to follow him, we must deny ourselves daily. (Lk. 9:23-26)

3. This is the burden that Christians must bear.

C. Do you murmur against these reproaches or glorify God in them?

1. Paul wrote that in Christ he can do all things. (Phil. 4:13)

2. This power allowed him to deal with his thorn in the flesh. (2 Cor. 12:6-11)

III. The people of the future. (Num. 14:6-9)

A. Joshua and Caleb were looking forward to what was in the promised land.

1. They were in the minority looking forward.

2. Today Christians should be striving to look forward to the home in heaven that awaits us.

3. The great majority will not follow Christ, will look back, or will be stuck in their present situation. (Mt. 7:13-14)

B. The race is on.

1. The apostle Paul often described the Christian life as a race. (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

2. We now must run with endurance this race until we too can reach our promised land. (Heb. 12:1-2)

Conclusion:

I. Are you running this race with your eyes set on the prize?

II. Have you even started your race?