Leaving The Past Behind And Moving Forward With Jesus. Hebrews 12

Good Morning

Grab your bible and say this with me

This is my Bible

I am what is says I am

I have what it says I have

I can do what it says I can do.

Today I will be taught more of the Word of God

I boldly confess My Mind is alert

My heart is receptive.

I will never be the same.

I am about to receive the incorruptible, Indestructible ever-living seed of the Word of God

I will never be the same

I'll never be the same, In Jesus Name!

Amen.

Leaving the Past Behind — Moving Forward with Jesus

Good morning/afternoon, everyone!

Open your Bibles and turn to Hebrews chapter 12 and say, "Amen" when you are there.

I want to start by asking a simple question: How many of us have ever struggled with our past? Maybe it’s a mistake you made, a relationship that hurt you, a habit you can’t seem to break, or a disappointment that still lingers in your heart. The past has a way of holding on tightly, doesn’t it?

Sometimes, it feels like we’re carrying around a heavy backpack filled with regrets, guilt, shame, and pain — and no matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to put it down.

But here’s the incredible truth: God doesn’t want us to live like that. He wants us to leave the past behind and move forward with Him into the bright future He’s prepared.

1. The Problem: Why Does the Past Hold Us Back?

Our past can trap us for several reasons:

Regret and Guilt: We often look back and say, “If only I had done things differently.” The burden of guilt can cripple us.

Fear of Failure: Sometimes the past failures convince us we can’t succeed in the future.

Unhealed Wounds: Painful memories, broken relationships, or traumatic experiences can create emotional chains.

Identity Confusion: We may believe that we are the sum of our past mistakes.

But the Bible warns us about the danger of living stuck in the past. Hebrews 12:1 says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

This verse encourages us to throw off everything that hinders — including the chains of our past — so we can run the race God has for us with endurance.

2. The Power of God’s Forgiveness: New Creation in Christ

The beautiful part is that God offers a fresh start, not based on our past but on His grace.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

This means that when you put your faith in Jesus, your past mistakes, failures, and sins are not just forgiven — they are gone. You become a brand-new person. The old story is over, and God writes a new chapter.

Imagine a painter taking a stained, worn canvas and painting over it with vibrant new colors. Your life, no matter how marred, can be covered with God’s grace and transformed.

3. Moving Forward Requires a Choice and Action

Moving forward is not automatic. It requires a decision to let go of the past and to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 teaches us:

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul admits he hadn’t “arrived” yet, but he chose to forget what was behind — not ignore it, but refuse to let it control him — and instead press forward with all his strength.

Moving forward may involve:

Forgiving yourself and others

Repenting and asking God for help to change

Renewing your mind daily with God’s Word

Surrounding yourself with a supportive faith community

Taking steps of faith, even when the future is uncertain

4. An Encouraging Story: The Man Who Left His Past Behind

Let me tell you a story that I hope encourages your heart today.

There once was a man named John. He had a past filled with mistakes — addiction, broken relationships, and a criminal record. For years, John believed his past defined him. He thought, “I’m beyond hope. I’m too far gone.”

One day, feeling hopeless, John walked into a small church. He sat quietly, listening to a sermon about God’s forgiveness and new beginnings. For the first time, he heard that Jesus could make him a new person — that his past sins could be washed away by God’s grace.