Forget About the Past
Inspired by a sermon from Zachery Tims, Apopka, FL
Aug. 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
I Introduction
A Have you ever noticed how much bigger your windshield is compared to your rearview mirror?
1 Why? Where you’re going is more important than where you’ve been.
a God has (always has had) a purpose, will, destiny for your life
b Of course, we’ve all made wrong turns, got off track, sped up when we should’ve slowed down & missed some exits all together, not to mention going the wrong way on a few one-ways.
c Our purpose/destiny is not the wrong turns or bad decisions; it’s about getting back on track, in the direction God has ordained.
2 The danger of spending too much time looking in the rearview mirror is we can crash or miss what’s right in front of us.
a Yes, we can learn from past mistakes (or victories)
b Yes, we can take a quick look to make sure what’s in our past doesn’t creep up on us (our future)...but don’t park there.
B Paul understood this idea 100% in Phil. 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 (NASB)
1 To understood how well Paul understood this, we’ve got to know Paul’s background (successful: the biggest enemy of great is good).
a Paul came to know Jesus, but he came from somewhere.
aa Success story, good family, well-educated. President of his fraternity, a partner in one of the largest law firms in the Middle East.
bb Accomplished some good things
b Also, some horrible/unspeakable things
aa Paul persecuted the early church, imprisoned/ kidnapped, bound, murdered men, women, & children because of his legalistic religious beliefs.
bb Then Paul met Jesus-hit him so hard the first letter in his name turned from S to P.
2 Paul knew he had to leave his mistakes behind him if he was going to do/go where Jesus commanded.
a Paul had been forgiven by Jesus through Jesus’ own sacrifice, blood.
b Paul couldn’t beat up on himself & the devil at the same time
C Jesus changed Paul, but he changed you, too.
1 If not, it’s because you haven’t allowed Him to.
a New creature, transformed you by the renewing of your mind
b Outfitted for the future.
2 Part of our problem is the past, the other is power.
a Go in our power, strength, ability
b It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to get us to where He wants us to be.
D Some of the things/sights in our rearview mirror are pretty horrific, disturbing, heart-breaking, all-out-regrettable.
1 God made you, & He doesn’t make mistakes!
a He’s never given up hope, believing in you
b He seeded your life/heart with His purpose for you when He formed you in your mother’s womb.
2 When God looks at you, He sees your destiny/purpose fulfilled, not dead!
a Maybe wasted years/time making bad decisions, you’ll have to work overtime to regroup...God’s O.K, with that!
b He’s big enough to help you, jump-start your life to fulfill the plans He has for you.
aa He guides-He’ll provide
bb He leads-He’ll linger
E God believes in you!
1 With His help, you can turn your life around OR keep going in the right direction.
2 God’s destiny/purpose is in you, buried as a seed.
a You know it’s there, now take the next step.
aa Nurture it
bb Reach for it
b God’s called you through His Son, Christ Jesus
c Empower you by the Holy Spirit
Conclusion
A Pray
1 Beating myself up for looking in the rearview mirror too often.
2 Thank Him for freeing you!
3 Ask Him, what can I do for you with the next part of my life?
B Invitation
