Embracing the Future: Letting Go of the Past
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of letting go of the past to embrace the future that God has prepared for us. Drawing from Philippians 3:13 and Isaiah 43:18, we are reminded of the importance of forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. The past, with its burdens and regrets, can trap us and prevent us from moving forward. It is not the devil or external forces that often hold us back, but our own attachment to past events and memories. God, in His wisdom, has chosen to forget our past, and He calls us to do the same. By clinging to what God has already forgotten, we hinder our progress and remain stuck in a cycle of regret and sorrow.
Joseph's story in Genesis 41:51 illustrates this beautifully. He named his firstborn Manasseh, meaning "making to forget," acknowledging that God had helped him forget all his hardships. This act of forgetting is not about denying the past but about releasing its hold on us. Holding onto past grievances, failures, or sins is like carrying a heavy load that slows us down on our journey. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to lay aside every weight and run the race set before us with patience.
Moreover, staying where God has moved on from is risky. We must be attuned to where God is leading us now, rather than dwelling on where He was. Regret is a sign of failure and ingratitude. Instead of lamenting what could have been, we should focus on the present and the opportunities God has placed before us. Gratitude for what God has done and is doing in our lives is essential. By counting our blessings and acknowledging His work, we find reasons to be thankful and joyful.
Key Takeaways:
- Letting go of the past is crucial for spiritual growth. Holding onto past events can trap us and prevent us from moving forward. God has chosen to forget our past, and we should do the same to embrace the future He has for us. [02:28]
- The story of Joseph teaches us the power of forgetting hardships. By naming his son Manasseh, Joseph acknowledged God's help in forgetting his past struggles. This act of forgetting is about releasing the past's hold on us, not denying it. [03:33]
- Holding onto past grievances is like carrying a heavy load. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to lay aside every weight and run the race set before us. Letting go of past issues frees us to move forward with God's plan. [09:30]
- Staying where God has moved on from is risky. We must be attuned to where God is leading us now, rather than dwelling on where He was. Understanding when God has moved is crucial for spiritual progress. [13:44]
- Regret is a sign of failure and ingratitude. Instead of lamenting what could have been, focus on the present and the opportunities God has placed before you. Gratitude for God's work in our lives brings joy and contentment. [17:15]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:28] - Forgetting the Past
[03:33] - Joseph's Lesson on Forgetting
[04:30] - The Trap of Past Memories
[05:09] - Why Remember What God Has Forgotten?
[05:56] - The Accuser's Tactics
[09:30] - The Weight of Past Grievances
[13:00] - The Heavy Load of the Past
[13:44] - The Risk of Staying Behind
[17:15] - Regret and Failure
[18:02] - Gratitude and Joy
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Philippians 3:13
- Isaiah 43:18-19
- Genesis 41:51
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Philippians 3:13, what is the one thing Paul focuses on doing? How does this relate to the theme of the sermon? [02:28]
2. In Isaiah 43:18-19, what does God promise to do, and how does this relate to forgetting the past?
3. How does Joseph's naming of his son Manasseh in Genesis 41:51 illustrate the concept of forgetting past hardships? [03:33]
4. What does Hebrews 12:1-2 suggest about the impact of holding onto past grievances on our spiritual journey? [09:30]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. What might be the spiritual consequences of holding onto past events, according to the sermon? How does this align with the message in Philippians 3:13? [02:28]
2. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 41:51 serve as a model for releasing the past's hold on us? What does this teach about God's role in helping us move forward? [03:33]
3. The sermon mentions that staying where God has moved on from is risky. What does this mean in the context of our spiritual lives, and how can we discern when God has moved? [13:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between regret and spiritual failure? What role does gratitude play in overcoming this? [17:15]
---
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a past event that you find difficult to let go of. How might holding onto this event be affecting your spiritual growth? What steps can you take to release it? [02:28]
2. Joseph named his son Manasseh to signify forgetting his hardships. Is there a symbolic action you can take to signify letting go of a past burden in your life? [03:33]
3. Consider a time when you felt stuck because of past grievances. How can you apply Hebrews 12:1-2 to lay aside these weights and run the race set before you? [09:30]
4. Are there areas in your life where you might be staying where God has moved on from? How can you become more attuned to where God is leading you now? [13:44]
5. Regret is described as a sign of failure and ingratitude. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life to counteract feelings of regret? [17:15]
6. Identify one opportunity God has placed before you in the present. How can you focus on this opportunity rather than lamenting what could have been? [17:15]
7. Think of a past hurt that still affects you. What practical steps can you take this week to forgive and move forward, trusting in God's plan for your future? [09:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Release the Past to Embrace God's Future
Letting go of the past is crucial for spiritual growth. Holding onto past events can trap us and prevent us from moving forward. God has chosen to forget our past, and we should do the same to embrace the future He has for us. The past, with its burdens and regrets, can trap us and prevent us from moving forward. It is not the devil or external forces that often hold us back, but our own attachment to past events and memories. God, in His wisdom, has chosen to forget our past, and He calls us to do the same. By clinging to what God has already forgotten, we hinder our progress and remain stuck in a cycle of regret and sorrow. [02:28]
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 is one specific memory or regret from your past that you need to release to God today? How can you actively choose to focus on the new things God is doing in your life?
Day 2: The Power of Forgetting Hardships
The story of Joseph teaches us the power of forgetting hardships. By naming his son Manasseh, Joseph acknowledged God's help in forgetting his past struggles. This act of forgetting is about releasing the past's hold on us, not denying it. Joseph's story in Genesis 41:51 illustrates this beautifully. He named his firstborn Manasseh, meaning "making to forget," acknowledging that God had helped him forget all his hardships. This act of forgetting is not about denying the past but about releasing its hold on us. Holding onto past grievances, failures, or sins is like carrying a heavy load that slows us down on our journey. [03:33]
Genesis 41:51 (ESV): "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. 'For,' he said, 'God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.'"
Reflection: Is there a hardship or struggle that you have been holding onto? How can you invite God to help you release its hold on your life today?
Day 3: Lay Aside Every Weight
Holding onto past grievances is like carrying a heavy load. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to lay aside every weight and run the race set before us. Letting go of past issues frees us to move forward with God's plan. The burdens of past grievances, failures, or sins can weigh us down, making it difficult to move forward. By releasing these burdens, we can run the race set before us with patience and endurance. This act of letting go is not about ignoring the past but about freeing ourselves from its constraints to embrace the future God has prepared for us. [09:30]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."
Reflection: What is one "weight" or burden you are carrying that you need to lay aside today? How can you focus on running the race God has set before you?
Day 4: Move with God, Not Behind Him
Staying where God has moved on from is risky. We must be attuned to where God is leading us now, rather than dwelling on where He was. Understanding when God has moved is crucial for spiritual progress. It is essential to be in tune with God's current direction and not remain stuck in past experiences or places where God has already moved on. By staying attuned to His guidance, we can ensure that we are aligned with His will and purpose for our lives, avoiding the risk of stagnation and spiritual complacency. [13:44]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel God has moved on, but you are still holding on? How can you seek His guidance to move forward in alignment with His will?
Day 5: Embrace Gratitude Over Regret
Regret is a sign of failure and ingratitude. Instead of lamenting what could have been, focus on the present and the opportunities God has placed before you. Gratitude for God's work in our lives brings joy and contentment. By counting our blessings and acknowledging His work, we find reasons to be thankful and joyful. Embracing gratitude allows us to see the beauty in the present and the opportunities God has placed before us, fostering a heart of contentment and joy. [17:15]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What is one thing you can be grateful for today, even if it seems small? How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life to replace feelings of regret?
Quotes
1) "They cannot live without carrying their past with them. The past that God is doing everything to forget, you say you will not forget it. God himself said, I know what has happened to your past. It is not good. It is dirty. You have a very dirty past. A lot of things have happened. But me, God, I'm forgetting it. Let's foresee the future. But you yourself begin to remember what God has forgotten. What God is forgetting, you are remembering it. What God has forgotten, you are remembering it. Probably the reason why you are operating in this dimension is because you don't know the damage that carrying the past in your head can do to you." [03:33] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Most people do not have Satan to fight anymore. The devil has already done his part. Engage them with their past. Some people are deep in the past. In fact, the reason why they are not moving forward today is because something in their past is dragging them. I don't know if I'm talking to someone here. See, they have tied rope on one part of your brain, about 90 % or 80%, and tied it to the past. So you are functioning with about 10%. The remaining one are shut down in the past. I don't know if I'm talking to someone." [04:30] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "If I did not say anything or you didn't remember anything I said today, I want you to remember this. Why do you want to remember what God has forgotten? If I didn't say anything, I want you to go home with this. Why do you want to remember what God himself has forgotten?" [05:09] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Forget it. Hello, forget it. Help me look at someone and say forget it. You were once married before it was scattered, you're still talking about whatever, forget it, tell someone and say forget it. You're a prostitute, they say we know you're a prostitute. Once I was blind, I'm not denying the fact that I was not a bad person. I'm not denying the fact that I was not somebody that was wicked, yes I used to be like that but right now I am not the same person anymore. Great change since I met the Lord, something has happened to me, lift your voice and shout hallelujah." [06:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Holding to issues of the past is a heavy load to waiting for the journey. Hebrew 12 1 and 2. Wherefore sin we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of weakness, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doer do easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. You can't run well. You can't run the race that is set before you when you are holding a very heavy load. Since listen to me, the Bible says there is a race before you, a time has been set for you to arrive, but you can't run with too much load, so he said lay them aside. One of that load you need to put aside is the load of the past." [09:30] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Staying where God has left is too risky. Staying where God has left is too what? Risky. Some people are staying where God has left. God has long gone away, but they are still there. They say he was here, God was here, I saw him here, but he has gone. That is why it was put on the grave of Jesus. He said you are searching for him, he's risen, he's not here. When I went to Israel, when we were taken to the tomb of Jesus, and then when we got there, what they wrote there, he is not here. It is boldly before you enter the tomb. Some people will enter there and pray, he is not here, he's risen." [13:44] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Forget about the things you cannot change. Deal with the ones you can handle now. Handle the things you can handle. Forget about the past. A lot of people hearing me today, there is too many regrets of yesterday. If they did not dupe me this morning, I would have gone far. Leave what has happened. Leave what has happened. Just understand that you have life. You can do better now. You can move on. God who allowed you to be alive has a plan for you. His plan is not yet over. The Bible says, He who began the good work in your life will perfect it. I might communicate to someone here." [17:15] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Be grateful for everything God has done in your life. The songwriter say count your blessings, name them one by one. Thank God for life. Thank God you woke up this morning. I said it, regret and sorrow is a sign of ingratitude. Ungrateful people are always sorrowful. When you look at all that God is doing in your life and you name them one by one, you will have a reason to thank him every day. One of the reason why you should thank God, you woke up this morning and you did not die yesterday night. About 1,000 people died around Nigeria, but you were not among the 1,000. You are alive. Who woke you up this morning? Him in heaven. Lift your voice and shout hallelujah." [18:02] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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