Letting Go: Embracing God's Future Over the Past
Summary
Today is a day of celebration—honoring fathers and also marking a year since we reopened our doors after the lockdown. It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the journey He’s brought us on as a church family. Our purpose remains clear: to equip every believer to live a lifestyle of worship that brings real change, not just within these walls but in every sphere of life. Every action, every encounter, is an opportunity to reflect Christ and draw others to Him.
As we wrap up our “Potholes of Life” series, we focus on a subtle but powerful obstacle: living in the past. Like potholes in the road, these moments—whether painful or even positive—can cause us to stumble or stall if we dwell on them. The past can be a place of comfort or regret, but either way, it can stunt our growth and rob us of the momentum God wants to give us for today and tomorrow. Using the analogy of monkey bars, we see that moving forward requires letting go of what’s behind us, even if it once felt secure. Holding on too tightly to the past—good or bad—prevents us from reaching the new things God is doing.
Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 43:18-19 not to dwell on former things, because God is always doing something new. The children of Israel are a vivid example: though freed from Egypt, they remained mentally and emotionally enslaved to their past, unable to enjoy the blessings of the present or move confidently into the future. We, too, can become so fixated on what was—whether it’s past hurts, past successes, or even injustices—that we miss the “milk and honey” God has for us now.
Yet, there is a place for remembering. Like the rearview mirror in a car, the past is there to glance at, to remind us of God’s faithfulness and to encourage us as we face new challenges. David, before facing Goliath, remembered God’s deliverance from the lion and the bear—not to live in those moments, but to fuel his faith for the battle ahead. The key is to seek God, listen for His direction, and obey—trusting that He is our “spotter” on the race track of life, guiding us safely forward.
Let’s be a people who press on, letting go of what’s behind, and reaching for the clubhouse God has prepared for us. May we glance at the past only to be reminded of God’s goodness, but keep our eyes fixed on the future He is calling us into.
---
Key Takeaways
- Living in the Past Stunts Growth
Holding on to past experiences—whether victories or wounds—prevents us from maturing into the fullness of what God has for us. Just as a child must let go of childish things to grow, we must release the comfort or pain of yesterday to step into today’s opportunities. Growth requires the courage to let go and trust God for what’s next. [08:36]
- Momentum is Lost When We Cling to Yesterday
Progress in life and faith is like swinging on monkey bars: momentum is essential. When we refuse to let go of the previous “bar,” we lose the forward motion needed to reach new places. The Israelites’ journey shows how nostalgia or regret can keep us wandering in circles, missing out on the promised land God has prepared. [11:26]
- Freedom is Not the Same as Living Free
It’s possible to be set free by God yet remain enslaved to old mindsets, habits, or memories. True freedom comes when we stop letting the past define our present and future. We must choose to enjoy and build upon the new life God has given us, rather than longing for what once was—even if it was gained in ways that were not pleasing to God. [14:02]
- The Past is a Rearview Mirror, Not a Destination
God gives us the ability to remember, but not so we can live in the past. Like David, we glance back to recall God’s faithfulness, which gives us courage for today’s battles. The rearview mirror is small for a reason; our focus must remain on the wide windshield of God’s unfolding purpose ahead. [23:31]
- Victory Comes Through Seeking, Listening, and Obeying God
Navigating life’s challenges requires more than our own wisdom; we need to seek God, listen for His voice, and obey promptly. Like a race car driver trusting the spotter, we must trust God’s perspective and direction, especially when the way forward is unclear. This posture keeps us moving toward the “checkered flag” of God’s calling, undeterred by the potholes of the past. [31:20]
---
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:49] - Purpose and Vision of 3W Church
[03:10] - Series Recap: Potholes of Life
[05:00] - Defining the Pothole: Living in the Past
[06:28] - Isaiah 43: God’s Call to the New
[08:36] - How the Past Stunts Growth
[09:53] - The Danger of Lost Momentum
[11:26] - Israel’s Example: Slaves to the Past
[14:02] - Freedom vs. Living Free
[16:25] - Glancing Back: Philippians 3 and the Monkey Bars
[19:10] - Pressing On: Letting Go and Moving Forward
[22:41] - David’s Rearview Mirror: Facing Goliath
[23:31] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[26:25] - Personal Story: The Cost of Staying Stuck
[29:13] - Missing the Moment: Lessons from Baseball
[31:20] - The Spotter Analogy: Seeking, Listening, Obeying
[32:41] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[34:45] - Surrendering the Past to God
[35:58] - Responding to Life’s Potholes
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Letting Go of the Past
*(Based on the “Potholes of Life: Living in the Past” sermon)*
---
### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:18-19
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
- Philippians 3:12-14
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Samuel 17:34-37
(David remembers God’s faithfulness with the lion and the bear as he prepares to face Goliath.)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah 43:18-19, what is God telling His people to do with the “former things”? What does He promise to do instead?
2. According to Philippians 3:13-14, what does Paul say is necessary for pressing toward the goal?
3. In the sermon, what analogy did the pastor use to describe the need to let go of the past in order to move forward? [[05:00]]
4. How did David use his memories of past victories when facing Goliath? [[23:31]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God tells His people not to dwell on the past, even if the past was full of miracles or blessings? [[06:28]]
2. The pastor said, “Living in the past stunts your growth.” What does this mean in practical terms for a believer’s spiritual life? [[08:36]]
3. How can remembering the past be both helpful and harmful, according to the sermon and the story of David? [[23:31]]
4. What does it look like to “press on” in faith when you feel stuck or discouraged by past experiences? [[19:10]]
---
### Application Questions
1. Is there a specific “bar” from your past—either a hurt, a regret, or even a success—that you find hard to let go of? How is it affecting your ability to move forward? [[05:00]]
2. The sermon compared living in the past to being stuck on the monkey bars and losing momentum. Can you think of a time when holding onto the past caused you to lose momentum in your faith, relationships, or personal growth? What would it look like to let go? [[09:53]]
3. The Israelites longed for Egypt even after God set them free. Are there “old mindsets” or habits from your past that you still find yourself drawn to, even though you know God has something better? What steps could you take to break free? [[14:02]]
4. The pastor said the past is like a rearview mirror—useful for a glance, but not for living in. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God’s faithfulness without getting stuck in old memories? [[23:31]]
5. David remembered God’s help with the lion and the bear to fuel his faith for Goliath. What is one past experience where you saw God’s faithfulness that you can use to encourage yourself (or someone else) for a current challenge? [[23:31]]
6. The sermon ended with a call to seek God, listen for His voice, and obey. What does this look like for you this week? Is there a specific area where you need to trust God’s direction instead of your own understanding? [[31:20]]
7. The pastor shared a story about missing a moment in baseball because he was stuck on a bad call. Is there a “bad call” or injustice in your life that you’re still replaying? How can you surrender it to God and move forward? [[29:13]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to let go of the past, to trust God for new things, and to listen and obey His voice as they move forward.
Devotional
Day 1: Letting Go of the Past to Embrace God’s New Thing
God calls us not to dwell on the former things, whether they were good or bad, but to be open to the new work He desires to do in our lives today. When we remain stuck in what was, we risk missing out on the fresh blessings, opportunities, and growth that God has prepared for us. The past can serve as a memory, but it should not be our dwelling place; God’s promise is that He will make a way even in the wilderness and bring rivers to the desert places of our lives. Are you willing to release your grip on yesterday so you can receive what God wants to do now? [06:28]
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 area of your life where you are holding on to the past—good or bad—that you sense God is asking you to release so He can do something new today?
Day 2: Living in the Past Stunts Growth and Destroys Momentum
Remaining anchored to the past, whether it’s nostalgia for better days or pain from old wounds, prevents us from growing and moving forward in the life God has for us. Just as a child cannot mature if they cling to infant habits, we cannot step into spiritual maturity or new seasons if we refuse to let go of what was. Momentum is lost when we refuse to release the old, and we risk missing the “clubhouse” of purpose and joy God has prepared. Letting go is not always easy, but it is necessary for progress and transformation. [09:53]
Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection: What is one “old bar” you need to let go of so you can move forward in your faith journey and gain new momentum?
Day 3: Glancing Back to Remember God’s Faithfulness
While we are not to live in the past, there is value in glancing back to remember how God has delivered and sustained us before. Like David recalling God’s help with the lion and the bear before facing Goliath, remembering past victories can fuel our faith for present challenges. The rearview mirror of our lives is small for a reason—it’s for brief encouragement, not for constant focus. Let your memories of God’s faithfulness embolden you to face today’s giants with confidence in His presence and power. [23:31]
1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV)
“And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’”
Reflection: Recall a specific time when God brought you through a difficult situation. How can that memory encourage you to trust Him with a challenge you are facing right now?
Day 4: Enjoying Today Instead of Being a Slave to the Past
Freedom in Christ means we are no longer bound by our past mistakes, losses, or even former glories, yet many still live as slaves to what once was. When we fixate on what we used to have or what happened to us, we rob ourselves of the joy and blessings God has given us today. True contentment and gratitude come when we choose to live in the present, recognizing God’s goodness in our current circumstances and trusting Him for what’s ahead. [14:02]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Reflection: In what ways are you allowing memories of the past to keep you from fully enjoying and being grateful for what God is doing in your life today?
Day 5: Seek, Listen, and Obey God to Navigate Life’s Potholes
The key to overcoming the pothole of living in the past—and every other challenge—is to continually seek God, listen for His guidance, and obey His direction. Like a race car driver who trusts the spotter’s voice, we must trust God’s perspective and respond to His leading, even when it means letting go of comfort or familiarity. Obedience positions us to receive God’s best and to cross the finish line He has set before us. [32:41]
John 10:27 (ESV)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is prompting you to take today, and how can you intentionally seek and listen for His voice as you move forward?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jun 21, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?