Forget About The Past

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