Sermons on Reflecting The Past:

Your Past Is A Reference, Not A Residence

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 14, 2025

Many people allow past mistakes, failures, or even successes to define their identity and limit their potential. Living in the past robs us of present opportunities and blinds us to the new things God wants to do.

YOUR PAST IS A REFERENCE, NOT A RESIDENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Philippians 3:13-14 Key Verse: “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, I press toward ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pursued By The Past With Nowhere To Go

Contributed by Chris Layton on Mar 16, 2026

Most of us remember the movie Jaws. What made that movie terrifying wasn’t just the shark — it was the feeling that no matter where they went, that thing kept coming back. Israel knew that feeling.

Introduction: JAWS: Most of us remember the movie Jaws. What made that movie terrifying wasn’t just the shark — it was the feeling that no matter where they went, that thing kept coming back. It was the fear of something beneath the surface… something behind them… something they couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

Make A Difference, Reflect And Correct. God Works A New Thing In You

Contributed by William Akehurst on Feb 28, 2015

Each and every day we should look back and reflect on where we've come from, and look toward where we are going. What changes do you need to make in your life today? I'm not talking your professional life, I'm talking your spiritual life.

2015.01.04.sermon. MAKE A DIFFERENCE, REFLECT AND CORRECT. GOD WORKS A NEW THING IN 2015 William Akehurst, HSWC Isaiah 43:18-21 Philippians 3:13-14 As we entered into the new year, it is only natural for us to review the year in the past to see what was accomplished. This is true in my ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Time To Move On Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Dec 31, 2021

Past mistakes, failures and heartaches can be debilitating. We tend to either deny our past or try to compensate for our past. But neither resolve the damaging effects of our past. We need to move on. But how?

“Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18 LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND - If you hope to make progress in this new year, then you must leave last year behind. The past is over and done with. Don’t dwell on what could have been or should have been. It is what ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18, Philippians 3:13, James 4:7, Romans 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baccalaureate Service 2024

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jun 2, 2024

Encouraging words for those who have graduated high school.

Note: I reviewed many messages on Baccalaureate in this site. So may overlap some ideas. Let me first begin by saying congratulations. I know you have heard that a lot. But this is a big accomplishment. To me this will mean a lot to you especially as you look back. It may surprise you, but I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Church Of God

Learning To Listen

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 21, 2020

Modern society is very functionally oriented, and that tendency has carried over into the way we pray. The Kingdom of God, however, is far more relational, and we would do well to learn that way of being in God’s presence.

Listening Prayer Luke 1:5-23, 76-79 [Read Luke 1:5-23] It was the middle of the morning at the Temple in Jerusalem. A group of about fifty priests were gathered to cast lots to determine who would have the honor of entering into the Most Holy Place to offer incense at the altar. The burning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-23

Mister, Are You Jesus?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 3, 2009

Let me ask you: "How would things be different if Jesus came & took your place?" Whether we realize it or not, that is exactly what He wants - to make Himself known to others through our lives.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2016) TEXT: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:1-2; John 13:12-17 ILL. One Sunday as they drove home from church, a little girl turned to her mother & said, "Mommy, there’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:1-2, John 13:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Put Your Rock Down

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 1, 2025

Picture this scene: a woman is dragged into the temple courts, humiliated, exposed, guilty. A crowd gathers with stones in hand, ready to enforce the law. Religious leaders stand with accusations prepared.

Introduction Picture this scene: a woman is dragged into the temple courts, humiliated, exposed, guilty. A crowd gathers with stones in hand, ready to enforce the law. Religious leaders stand with accusations prepared. But then Jesus does something unexpected—He bends down and writes in the dust, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Oh, For The Good Old Days!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 20, 2014

A sermon on how to view our past (Material adapted from Dan Blazer in his book, Life Is Worth Living, chapter 9)

Introduction: Solomon reminds us that there are 4 dimensions of time that should be important to us: past, present, future and eternity. The time dimensions that should be most important to Christians are the present and eternity. Nevertheless, there is a message here for us about the past. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Curing Conflict PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20 on conflict resolution, forgiveness, and unity, emphasizing the liberating power of forgiveness.

Good morning, Church! It's a joy to be together again to delve into the rich treasures of God's Word. Today, we are going to examine a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, that speaks directly to our hearts about dealing with conflict, embracing forgiveness, and moving forward in unity. Before we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Topics: Putting The Past Behind

Their Story, Our Warning

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Jul 10, 2025

God holds up the mirror of the past to keep us from stumbling in the present.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” These were the words of the philosopher George Santayana about nations, politics, and the rise and fall of empires. But much earlier than George Santayana, the Apostle Paul, 18 centuries earlier, made the same point about our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Let Your Past Define Your Future PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 23, 2024

This sermon encourages letting go of past mistakes and regrets, embracing God's current work in our lives, and looking forward to the future with hope.

Good morning, dear friends, and welcome. As we gather together today in this sacred space, we are united by a shared purpose: to seek understanding, to find comfort and to grow in our faith. We are here to wrestle with the word of God, to grapple with its truths and to let it shape us, mold us, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Topics: Leaving The Past Behind

The Past, The Future, And The Present Are In God's Hands

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Dec 1, 2007

A sermon for the first Sunday in Advent, Series A

1st Sunday in Advent December 2, 2007 “Series A” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we give you thanks that you have chosen to reveal yourself to us in many ways, especially in the person of your Son, Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Good Friday Reflection - Full Script

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Feb 17, 2026

This is written for a 30-40 minute reflective service on Good Friday

Good Friday Reflective Service – 35-Minute Script Highfield Community ________________________________________ 1. Arrival (before start – silence or quiet music) (People arrive in silence or with very gentle instrumental music. Cross visible at the front. Lights slightly dimmed.) VIDEO: Good Friday ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23:32-43, Isaiah 53:4-6

Reflections Of Leadership Skills (Piano Movers)

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 22, 2011

A speech given to the Mitchell County Leadership Team, Mitchell County, KS; in 2007 to inspire and encourage each member to see each one as one body.

Reflections of Leadership Skills (Piano Movers) 1 Corinthians 12: 12-26 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Other