putting the past in the past

PUTTING THE PAST IN THE PAST

PHIL. 3:13-14

[By Ron Halbrook]


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Introduction:1. Phil. 3:13-14 Leave past sins in the past

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1. Phil. 3:13-14 Leave past sins in the past

13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


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Introduction:2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past

on life’s journey— trust God for present & future

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2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past— trust God for present & future

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

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2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past— trust God for present & future 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance:

and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.


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Introduction:2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past


How react to past joys & sorrows? Wise: patient, trust in God Fool: impatient, angry, cynical—

wants to control life’s events, cannot trust God or man


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Introduction:3. Lesson necessary for godly, balanced, productive, fulfilling life4. Putting the past in the past applies to:

Life’s prosperity & adversity Family relationships Seeking & offering forgiveness of sin


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I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity A. Eccl. 7:8-10 “Better Is the End:”

Trust God to Guide Life’s Unfolding Events From bud to bloom

Cattleyea Orchid

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From bud to bloom: cranberries

tight bud bud swell cabbagehead bud break

bud elongation

roughneck hook bloom

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences & Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Inc.


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I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity A. Eccl. 7:8-10 “Better Is the End:”

Trust God to Guide Life’s Unfolding Events From worm to butterfly

Caterpillar—Cocoon—Monarch Butterfly


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I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity B. Eccl. 7:13-14 Prosperity & Adversity: “God…Set the One Over Against the Other”

All life’s experiences are in God’s hand—He watches over us to fulfill His purpose


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I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity C. How Do We React to Adversity?

Abraham tired of waiting, made solutions: faced consequences

Gen. 15:2-4 Offered Eliezer as heir Gen. 16 Offered Ishmael as heir


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Moses & Israel waited on God Ex. 14:13-16 “Fear ye not, stand still,

and see the salvation of the Lord”


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Paul prayed, God gave strength to endure the trial

2 Cor. 12:7-10 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”


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Leave the past & the future in God’s hands


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I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity D. How Do We React to Prosperity?

Ja. 1:17 Rejoice, give thanks to God Job 1:21 Use it to serve God— when it is past, thank God & move forward Leave the past & the future in God’s hands


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II. Family Relationships A. Gen. 2:24 Marriage Changes Relationships

Retain love & memories of home but focus on new home, new duties

Focus on mate not old relationships Parents, others retain love & memories but recognize change in relationship

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.


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II. Family Relationships A. Gen. 2:24 Marriage Changes Relationships

Learn to give time, affection, attention to mate (Eph. 5:25, 22; 1 Cor. 7:3) Husband diligent to make a living (1 Tim. 5:8) Wife diligent in household duties (Prov. 31)

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.


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II. Family Relationships B. Ps. 127:3 Children Change Relationships

Treat each child as a treasure: give time, attention, discipline, affection (Eph. 6:4)

Make spiritual training 1st priority (Eph. 6:4) Embrace parental duty as a gift not a burden:

sacrificing for children enhances character 3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.


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II. Family Relationships B. Ps. 127:3 Children Change Relationships

Parents are no longer children: Not reliving our childhood but help them

live theirs (talents, interests, etc.) Cannot train them if act like them

(selfish, temper, impatient, pout, etc.) Do not reverse roles but lead & serve

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.


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II. Family Relationships C. Prov. 28:13 Address Failures in Family Life

Admit failures, do not ignore or excuse God & family will see honesty or hypocrisy

Apologize, ask forgiveness sincerely Change conduct, repair relationship Cannot change the past—go forward

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.


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III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin A. God Is Ready to Forgive All Who Ask

Isa. 1:18 God promises to forgive

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.


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Matt. 11:28-30 Christ offers forgiveness

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.


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Jn. 3:5; Mk. 16:16 New birth for sinners

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


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Acts 8:22 Forgive saints who sin

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.


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III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin B. Accept God’s Forgiveness

Phil. 3:13-14 Do not dwell on past sins

13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


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III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin C. Do Not Return to Past Sins

1 Cor. 6:9-11 “Be not deceived”

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9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Cor. 6:9-11 “Be not deceived”


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Acts 8:23 A saint in sin is lost

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.


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Heb. 3:12-13 Sin hardens the conscience

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.


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III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin D. Face Consequences of Past Sins by Faith in God

Ps. 103: 8-14 David: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon

Adultery, murder, baby died, family relationships devastated, confidence of nation shaken

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8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Ps. 103: 8-14 David: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon


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1 Tim. 1:15-16 Paul: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon

Accomplice to Stephen’s murder, imprisoned & scattered saints

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15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 Tim. 1:15-16 Paul: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon


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Matt. 5:23-24 Seek forgiveness of people we have wronged

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.


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1 Pet. 5:8-9 Resist Satan if memories haunt & temptations

return 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.


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III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin E. Seek Reconciliation with People Who Have Wronged Us

Matt. 18:15 “Go and tell him his fault” Ready to forgive as God forgave us Do what we can, then put it in the past

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.


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Invitation:1. Phil. 3:13-14 Leave past sins in the past 2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past



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Invitation:3. Lesson necessary for godly, balanced, productive, fulfilling life4. Putting the past in the past applies to:

Life’s prosperity & adversity Family relationships Seeking & offering forgiveness of sin


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5. God is ready to forgive all who ask Jn. 3:5; Mk. 16:16 New birth for sinners

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


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5. God is ready to forgive all who ask Acts 8:22 Forgive saints who sin

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

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