PUTTING THE PAST IN THE PAST
(PHIL. 3:13-14)

Introduction:
1. Phil. 3:13-14 Leave past sins in the past
2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past on life’s journey— trust God for present & future
a. 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
3. Lesson necessary for godly, balanced, productive, fulfilling life
4. Putting the past in the past applies to:
a. Life’s prosperity & adversity
b. Family relationships
c. Seeking & offering forgiveness of sin

I. Life’s Prosperity & Adversity
A. Eccl. 7:8-10 “Better Is the End:” Trust God to Guide Life’s Unfolding Events
1. From bud to bloom: flowers (Cattleyea Orchid), fruit, vegetables
2. From worm to butterfly: Caterpillar—Cocoon—Monarch Butterfly
B. Eccl. 7:13-14 Prosperity & Adversity: “God…Set the One Over Against the Other”
1. All life’s experiences are in God’s hand—He watches over us to fulfill His purpose
C. How Do We React to Adversity?
1. Abraham tired of waiting, made solutions: faced consequences
a. Gen. 15:2-4 Offered Eliezer as heir
b. Gen. 16 Offered Ishmael as heir
2. Moses & Israel waited on God
a. Ex. 14:13-16 “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”
3. Paul prayed, God gave strength to endure the trial
a. 2 Cor. 12:7-10 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”
4. Leave the past & the future in God’s hands
D. How Do We React to Prosperity?
1. Ja. 1:17 Rejoice, give thanks to God
2. Job 1:21 Use it to serve God—when it is past, thank God & move forward
3. Leave the past & the future in God’s hands

II. Family Relationships
A. Gen. 2:24 Marriage Changes Relationships
1. Retain love & memories of home but focus on new home, new duties
2. Focus on mate not old relationships
3. Parents, others retain love & memories but recognize change in relationship
4. Learn to give time, affection, attention to mate (Eph. 5:25, 22; 1 Cor. 7:3)
5. Husband diligent to make a living (1 Tim. 5:8)
6. Wife diligent in household duties (Prov. 31)
B. Ps. 127:3 Children Change Relationships
1. Treat each child as a treasure: give time, attention, discipline, affection (Eph. 6:4)
2. Make spiritual training 1st priority (Eph. 6:4)
3. Embrace parental duty as a gift not a burden: sacrificing for children enhances character
4. Parents are no longer children:
a. Not reliving our childhood but help them live theirs (talents, interests, etc.)
b. Cannot train them if act like them (selfish, temper, impatient, pout, etc.)
5. Do not reverse roles but lead & serve

C. Prov. 28:13 Address Failures in Family Life
1. Admit failures, do not ignore or excuse
2. God & family will see honesty or hypocrisy
3. Apologize, ask forgiveness sincerely
4. Change conduct, repair relationship
5. Cannot change the past—go forward

III. Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin
A. God Is Ready to Forgive All Who Ask
1. Isa. 1:18 God promises to forgive
2. Matt. 11:28-30 Christ offers forgiveness
3. Jn. 3:5; Mk. 16:16 New birth for sinners
4. Acts 8:22 Forgive saints who sin
B. Accept God’s Forgiveness
1. Phil. 3:13-14 Do not dwell on past sins
C. Do Not Return to Past Sins
1. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 “Be not deceived”
2. Acts 8:23 A saint in sin is lost
3. Heb. 3:12-13 Sin hardens the conscience
D. Face Consequences of Past Sins by Faith in God
1. Ps. 103: 8-14 David: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon
a. Adultery, murder, baby died, family relationships devastated, confidence of nation shaken
2. 1 Tim. 1:15-16 Paul: painful memories but focused on God’s mercy & pardon
a.. Accomplice to Stephen’s murder, imprisoned & scattered saints
3. Matt. 5:23-24 Seek forgiveness of people we have wronged
4. 1 Pet. 5:8-9 Resist Satan if memories haunt & temptations return
E. Seek Reconciliation with People Who Have Wronged Us
1. Matt. 18:15 “Go and tell him his fault”
2. Ready to forgive as God forgave us
3. Do what we can, then put it in the past

Invitation:
1. Phil. 3:13-14 Leave past sins in the past
2. Eccl. 7:8-14 Cannot return to the past on life’s journey— trust God for present & future
3. Lesson necessary for godly, balanced, productive, fulfilling life
4. Putting the past in the past applies to:
a. Life’s prosperity & adversity
b. Family relationships
c. Seeking & offering forgiveness of sin
5. God is ready to forgive all who ask
a. Jn. 3:5; Mk. 16:16 New birth for sinners
b. Acts 8:22 Forgive saints who sin

By Ron Halbrook

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