December 27, 2020

FORGETTING THE PAST WITH A HEART FOR THE FUTURE
December 27, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What is in your life that you wish were removed? If so, is it up to you, or does it involve someone else making a change? Can you share?

Open:

Christmas 2020 is now behind us, and in a few days it will be a brand new year. We all hope that the COVID 19 virus, with all its extended problems, will soon be over and forgotten. Today we will focus on leaving yesterday behind and focusing on tomorrow. Paul encouraged us to forget those things in our past that keep us from a wholehearted commitment to Christ and press toward Him. Join us as we study.

Key Verse: Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Focal Passage: Philippians 3:7-14.

The things I thought mattered don’t matter at all

  • Read Phil. 3:7. When Paul came to faith in Christ Jesus, what were some of the things in his past that he would have considered “loss”? What became the focus of his total commitment after his conversion?
  • What are some of the things that you know are in your life but are not of any eternal good? What would it take for you to get rid of them?
  • Read Matthew 6:33-34. What should take the place in our lives of those things that are a loss from God’s standpoint?

Our ultimate goal is to know Him

  • Read Phil. 3:8. What do we call the part our life that wars with our Spirit? Of the things in your life that you would count as loss, why do you hold onto them?
  • What are some of the things you can do to see that your focus stays on God, as you go through your daily routine?
  • What daily impact on your life does Christ have? How can you know Him better?

Knowing Him requires commitment

  • Read Phil. 3:12. How does Paul say that he is committed to following after Christ? What are other translations?
  • With any commitment you make, what practice will yield the greatest victory in your life? What is the difference between discipline and intention?  
  • Read 2 Timothy 2:15. How will we present ourselves to God, if we have handled His word well?

Letting go of yesterday, focusing on tomorrow

  • Read Phil. 3:13-14. Why is the past able to have such a strong hold on our lives? What are some steps you can take to forget yesterday’s failures or sins?
  • How can you discipline yourself to follow Christ more completely in the coming year?
  • What are you committed to do, to make Him Lord of your life?

Close:

Most of us are so glad to see 2020 pass. As a church, we were challenged to fast last January, in order to focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ, and on what we would like to see our church accomplish as the year unfolded. At that time, we had no idea what would occur in the next months. Now we can look back and see we probably would have been more specific in our prayer and fasting, had we known that social distancing, masks, economic failure for many, and a host of other trials would enter our lives due to the Covid 19 virus.

Now, none of us can be sure that 2021 will be better, can we? Some companies already have directed their employees to assume they will not be going back to the physical offices until at least April, 2021. That tells us that we may not know the full extent of the damage done in this past year. Many would have a tough time seeing the rigid guidelines put in place during 2020 be continued into 2021.

So how can we prepare our hearts to cope with the new year if it doesn’t fulfill our hopes? We can study God’s word every chance we get, focusing on Him, His plans and most of all, recognizing His omnipotence and His sovereignty. He has not been surprised by the past year, and yet He allowed it. Our responsibility is to trust Him fully, being obedient in what He tells us, knowing His purposes are far beyond anything we could imagine. He is a good, good father!

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