Letting go of the past
- 1. Renunciation Letting go of the past By Brian Birdow Sermon text: Philippians 3:7-8 www.cmcoc.org
- 2. Forgetting those thing that are behind • There is an allusion here undoubtedly to the Grecian races. One running to secure the prize would not stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had run over, or who of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. • He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If his attention was diverted for a moment from that, it would hinder his flight, and might be the means of his losing the crown
- 3. What did Paul give up? • Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has reasons he might trust in the flesh, I more: • Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
- 4. What did Paul give up • Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. • Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
- 5. What did Paul give up? • He gave up all to gain everything! • The rich younger ruler did not! • Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If you will be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
- 6. Us and our past • Some of us still look at ourselves from when we were_________________ • Some of us still relish in our past! • Some mistake the past life as better than the present Christian life! • Remember Israel and Egypt? Egypt was constantly in their hearts!
- 7. We are new in CHRIST • Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- 8. Old vs. New • 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know you 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, • 1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
- 9. Were…Past tense! • 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. • Sanctified • Holy • Set apart
- 10. The future is so much better! • Philippians 3:13 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, • What are you reaching for?
- 11. I press toward the mark 3:14 • I press toward the mark. As he who was running a race did. The "mark" means, properly, the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims; and hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to be reached in order that the prize might be won. • It means that which is at the end of the Christian race--heaven. For the prize. The prize of the racer was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or apple. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven.
- 12. The upward call of GOD • 1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, • 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.