Embracing God's Future: Letting Go of the Past

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound message of not looking back and trusting in God's plan for our future. Drawing from Psalm 139, we were reminded that God knew us even before we were born and has been with us through every moment of our lives. This foundational truth set the stage for our main scripture from Genesis 19, the story of Lot's wife. God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their overwhelming sin, but He showed mercy to Lot and his family, instructing them to flee without looking back. Despite the clear command, Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the danger of clinging to the past.

We delved into the reasons why she might have looked back, acknowledging both the innocence of longing for her home and the rebellion of disobeying God's command. This act serves as a powerful lesson about the importance of surrendering our past to embrace the future God has for us. Salt, in biblical times, symbolized new beginnings and separation from the past, reinforcing the idea that sometimes we must let go of what we love to step into God's new blessings.

We also discussed how looking back can be destructive, turning our past into a prison that prevents us from moving forward. Jesus emphasized this in Luke 17:32-33, warning that clinging to our life will cause us to lose it, but letting go will save it. This principle applies to both our personal lives and our church community. Whether it's longing for the "good old days" or being stuck in past mistakes, we must focus on the present and the future God has for us.

In conclusion, we were encouraged to embrace the new things God is doing in our lives, trusting that what lies ahead is far better than what we leave behind. This message is a call to action, urging us to stop looking back and to fully commit to the path God has set before us.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Omniscience and Presence: God knew us before we were born and has been with us through every moment of our lives. This foundational truth from Psalm 139 reminds us of His intimate knowledge and constant presence, encouraging us to trust Him fully. [29:10]

2. The Danger of Looking Back: Lot's wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah despite God's clear command not to. This act of disobedience turned her into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the danger of clinging to the past. It teaches us that holding onto our past can prevent us from stepping into the future God has for us. [45:07]

3. Salt as a Symbol of New Beginnings: In biblical times, salt symbolized new beginnings and separation from the past. Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt serves as a monument marking the separation from her past life. This teaches us that sometimes we must let go of what we love to embrace God's new blessings. [47:37]

4. The Destructive Nature of the Past: Jesus warned that clinging to our life will cause us to lose it, but letting go will save it. Our past can become a prison if we focus on it too much. We must learn from Lot's wife and not let our past mistakes or old ways of life hinder our progress. [49:36]

5. Embracing the Future: God is always doing something new in our lives. Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us not to dwell on the past but to perceive the new things God is doing. Our best days are ahead, and we must keep our eyes focused on the future to fully experience God's blessings. [57:20]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[29:10] - God's Omniscience and Presence
[32:07] - Introduction and Prayer
[34:01] - Men's Challenge Recap
[35:14] - Personal Reflections and Anniversaries
[36:46] - Don't Look Back: What's Ahead is Better
[39:22] - Introduction to Genesis 19
[40:07] - The Story of Sodom and Gomorrah
[43:04] - Lot's Family's Escape
[45:07] - The Consequence of Looking Back
[47:37] - The Symbolism of Salt
[49:36] - The Destructive Nature of the Past
[50:27] - Embracing the Future
[57:20] - God's New Beginnings
[01:00:27] - Prayer and Invitation
[01:06:08] - Closing Worship and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:13-16: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
2. Genesis 19:12-26: The story of Lot's wife looking back at Sodom and Gomorrah and turning into a pillar of salt.
3. Luke 17:32-33: "Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."

### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 139:13-16 tell us about God's knowledge and presence in our lives?
2. In Genesis 19, what specific instructions did the angels give to Lot and his family as they fled Sodom and Gomorrah? [43:40]
3. What was the consequence for Lot's wife when she looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah? [45:07]
4. According to Luke 17:32-33, what lesson does Jesus want us to learn from the story of Lot's wife?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the knowledge that God knew us before we were born (Psalm 139) impact our trust in His plans for our future? [29:10]
2. Why do you think Lot's wife looked back despite the clear command not to? What might this reveal about human nature and our struggles with obedience? [46:21]
3. What does the transformation of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt symbolize in the context of new beginnings and separation from the past? [47:37]
4. How can clinging to our past become a prison, as mentioned in the sermon? What are some examples of this in our personal lives or church community? [49:36]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust God's plan for your future. How did you overcome that struggle, or what steps can you take now to trust Him more fully? [29:10]
2. Have you ever found yourself looking back at a past situation or relationship that God has called you to leave behind? What steps can you take to fully embrace the future God has for you? [45:07]
3. In what ways can you symbolically "turn into a pillar of salt" by holding onto the past? How can you actively work to let go and embrace new beginnings? [47:37]
4. Jesus warns that clinging to our life will cause us to lose it. What are some specific areas in your life where you need to let go to experience true freedom and purpose? [49:36]
5. How can you apply the principle of not longing for the "good old days" in your personal life and within our church community? What practical steps can you take to focus on the present and future? [54:07]
6. Think of a past mistake or failure that you have been holding onto. How can you seek healing and move forward from it starting this week? [59:13]
7. Identify one new thing God is doing in your life right now. How can you actively participate in and support this new direction? [57:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Omniscience and Presence
God knew us before we were born and has been with us through every moment of our lives. This foundational truth from Psalm 139 reminds us of His intimate knowledge and constant presence, encouraging us to trust Him fully. Understanding that God is omniscient and omnipresent can bring immense comfort and assurance. He is not a distant deity but a close and personal God who knows every detail of our lives, including our thoughts, fears, and dreams.

When we grasp this truth, it becomes easier to trust in His plans for our future. We can rest in the knowledge that He is always with us, guiding us through every situation. This trust allows us to let go of our anxieties and fears, knowing that God is in control and has a perfect plan for our lives. [29:10]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."

Reflection: How does knowing that God is intimately aware of every detail of your life change the way you approach your daily challenges and decisions?

Day 2: The Danger of Looking Back
Lot's wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah despite God's clear command not to. This act of disobedience turned her into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the danger of clinging to the past. It teaches us that holding onto our past can prevent us from stepping into the future God has for us. The story of Lot's wife is a powerful reminder that looking back can have severe consequences. It can trap us in a cycle of regret, guilt, and longing for what was, rather than embracing what God has in store for us.

By focusing on the past, we risk missing out on the new opportunities and blessings that God is preparing for us. It is essential to trust in His guidance and move forward with faith, knowing that His plans are always for our good. [45:07]

Genesis 19:26 (ESV): "But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."

Reflection: Is there something from your past that you are holding onto that might be preventing you from fully embracing God's plan for your future? How can you begin to let go of it today?

Day 3: Salt as a Symbol of New Beginnings
In biblical times, salt symbolized new beginnings and separation from the past. Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt serves as a monument marking the separation from her past life. This teaches us that sometimes we must let go of what we love to embrace God's new blessings. Salt was also used in covenants and sacrifices, symbolizing purity and preservation. In this context, it represents the need to leave behind the old and step into the new with a pure heart and a willingness to follow God's lead.

Embracing new beginnings often requires sacrifice and a willingness to trust in God's provision. It means letting go of our comfort zones and stepping into the unknown with faith. By doing so, we open ourselves up to the new and exciting plans that God has for us. [47:37]

Leviticus 2:13 (ESV): "You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt."

Reflection: What new beginning is God calling you to embrace? What steps can you take today to let go of the past and step into this new season with faith?

Day 4: The Destructive Nature of the Past
Jesus warned that clinging to our life will cause us to lose it, but letting go will save it. Our past can become a prison if we focus on it too much. We must learn from Lot's wife and not let our past mistakes or old ways of life hinder our progress. The past can be a powerful force that holds us back, filling us with regret, shame, and a sense of unworthiness. However, Jesus calls us to let go of these burdens and embrace the freedom that comes from following Him.

By releasing our grip on the past, we allow ourselves to be transformed by God's grace and mercy. This transformation enables us to live fully in the present and pursue the future with hope and confidence. [49:36]

Luke 9:62 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"

Reflection: Are there past mistakes or regrets that are holding you back from fully experiencing God's grace and moving forward? How can you surrender these to God and embrace His forgiveness and freedom today?

Day 5: Embracing the Future
God is always doing something new in our lives. Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us not to dwell on the past but to perceive the new things God is doing. Our best days are ahead, and we must keep our eyes focused on the future to fully experience God's blessings. Embracing the future requires a mindset shift, where we actively look for and expect God's new work in our lives. It means being open to change and willing to step out in faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

By focusing on the future, we align ourselves with God's vision and purpose for our lives. This forward-looking perspective allows us to see beyond our current circumstances and trust in God's promises for a hopeful and prosperous future. [57:20]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What new thing is God doing in your life right now? How can you actively participate in His plan and keep your focus on the future He has for you?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When we surrender the entirety of our lives to God, we will find true meaning and purpose for our lives. When we refuse to surrender to what God is calling us to, that's when we find ourselves in a situation maybe we should never have been in." [47:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sometimes we have to lose something in order to find something. Sometimes there has to be a loss before there can be a gain. Sometimes God shows us that it's time to stop doing something that we've been doing for a while. And it's time for us to make a change and do something new. Amen?" [48:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Your past can become your prison. So if we're going to ask a series of questions to learn this scripture and learn what God is trying to say to us today through this, we ask that question, why did she look back? The next question has to be, what can we learn from her looking back?" [49:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Don't look back because you can miss out on what's in front of you. What's ahead is better than what's behind. What does that mean? It's really simple. If I decide I'm going to walk somewhere and I'm wanting to go this direction, I don't walk like this. I don't walk backwards because I can't see what's in front of me, where I'm going." [50:27](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If God can forgive and move forward with us and all the mistakes that we make and all the sin that we play with, and deal with, if he can move forward and he can forgive us, we can stop looking back and we can look forward to what the beautiful life that Jesus has for us. For the purpose that he has for us. For the blessings that he has for us." [01:00:27](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Lot's wife failed to let go of her life and surrender to the future that God was leading them to. When we surrender the entirety of our lives to God, we will find true meaning and purpose for our lives. When we refuse to surrender to what God is calling us to, that's when we find ourselves in a situation maybe we should never have been in. So Lot's wife looks back and the Bible says she turns into a pillar of salt." [47:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sometimes we have to be separated from the things that we love in order to step into the new blessing that God has for us. You see, sometimes a separation has to happen in our life. As the kids say these days, sometimes we have to take an L. What does the L stand for? A loss. Sometimes we have to lose something in order to find something. Sometimes there has to be a loss before there can be a gain." [48:43](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "How many times have we overlooked what God was trying to do in our life, in our church, in our family, in our friendships, in our relationships, because we were too busy thinking about the past? How many times have we missed the blessings of God because we were too caught up in our thinking about how someone else did it, thinking about maybe what we were taught, thinking about the way it's always been done, thinking about, thinking about and living in the past instead of seeing that there is a new move of God that is happening right now, amen?" [56:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If God can forgive and move forward with us and all the mistakes that we make and all the sin that we play with, and deal with, if he can move forward and he can forgive us, we can stop looking back and we can look forward to what the beautiful life that Jesus has for us. For the purpose that he has for us. For the blessings that he has for us. I believe with all my heart this morning that today can be a day of healing for Today you can be healed from your past. Today you can be healed from your hurts. Today you can be healed from your mistakes. Today you can be healed from living in the past." [01:00:27](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What God is talking about in today's message is be careful not to get stuck in the past. Because if we're not careful, we'll miss out on what God is trying to do right now. And so don't long for the good old days. This is not wise. Don't look back on the good old days. Why? Because your best days are ahead. Our best days are ahead of you, church. Amen? Our best days are ahead of us. The best is yet to come." [54:50](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?