Letting Go, Moving On
2019-01-06
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Key Verse: Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Phil. 3:7 (NLT) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
Phil 3:13 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Letting Go, Moving On
How do we let go?
Gen. 50:14–21 (NLT) After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. 19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
1. Recognize the pain and failures of the past are not the description of our future
a. Vs 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
b. Joseph’s brothers were fearful because they felt as if what they had done would follow them from that day forward
2. Take the right steps … seek forgiveness
a. Vs 16-17a So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin…”
For those on the other side…
3. Respond the right way … forgive
a. Vs 17b …When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.
4. Know that the job of judge is not ours
a. Vs 19b …”Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?
5. Know that the job of peacemaker is ours
a. Vs 21b …So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Keep your focus
1. Stay in God’s Word daily
2. Talk to Him daily
3. Keep a journal of what you’re learning, reading, praying
4. Read books, stories, articles about faithful followers of Christ
5. Connect with others in the journey to remain accountable
6. Prioritize your faith walk over EVERYTHING else
7. Don’t quit