Letting Go of the Past for God's Future

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience as a Path to Fulfillment

In the story of Saul, we see a clear example of how partial obedience can lead to significant consequences. Saul was commanded by God to destroy the Amalekites completely, yet he chose to spare King Agag and the best livestock, rationalizing his actions as offerings to God. This act of disobedience was not just a minor oversight; it was a direct contradiction to God's command, demonstrating that God values obedience over sacrifice. Saul's decision had long-lasting effects, not only on his own life but also on future generations. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our choices today can have far-reaching implications. We are called to trust in God's wisdom and fully obey His commands, knowing that His ways are higher than ours. [14:26]

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are offering God partial obedience? What steps can you take today to fully align your actions with His commands?

Day 2: The Legacy of Unresolved Baggage

Saul's disobedience serves as a cautionary tale about the weight of unresolved issues and their impact on future generations. By sparing King Agag and the best livestock, Saul not only disobeyed God but also set a precedent that would affect his descendants. This story highlights the importance of identifying and eliminating the baggage that hinders our spiritual growth. Whether it be sin, unhealthy habits, or emotional burdens, these unresolved issues can weigh us down and prevent us from fully embracing God's plans for our lives. We are encouraged to replace these negative aspects with the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, to ensure a positive legacy for those who come after us. [18:42]

Hebrews 12:1 (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."

Reflection: What is one piece of baggage from your past that you need to let go of? How can you begin to replace it with a fruit of the Spirit today?

Day 3: The Power of Community and Accountability

The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. Saul's story illustrates the dangers of isolation and the importance of accountability and community in our spiritual growth. By being open and honest about our struggles, we can find healing and support from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Accountability helps us stay on track and provides the encouragement we need to overcome challenges. It is through community that we can experience the love and support necessary to grow in our faith and become more like Jesus. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us lean on our community for strength and guidance. [28:26]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Who in your life can you turn to for accountability and support in your spiritual journey? How can you strengthen this relationship today?

Day 4: Transforming Negatives into Positives

It's not enough to simply eliminate negative behaviors or habits; we must actively replace them with positive, God-honoring traits. Saul's story reminds us of the importance of this transformation process. By cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our lives, we can ensure that we are not only removing the negative but also filling our lives with the positive. This conscious effort requires intentionality and dedication, as we seek to embody the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we strive to become more like Jesus, let us focus on replacing the negative aspects of our lives with these positive traits. [35:59]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: What is one negative habit or behavior you need to replace with a positive trait? What practical steps can you take today to begin this transformation?

Day 5: Seeing Beyond the Present

Saul's story teaches us the importance of looking beyond the immediate and focusing on the eternal. Our decisions today can have far-reaching effects, and by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can make choices that align with His will and purpose for our lives. This perspective shift requires us to prioritize the eternal over the temporary, recognizing that our actions have the potential to impact not only our lives but also those of future generations. As we navigate the challenges of life, let us strive to make decisions that reflect our commitment to God's eternal plan and purpose. [39:51]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today that requires an eternal perspective? How can you align this decision with God's will and purpose for your life?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of "The Enemy of Your Past," focusing on the story of Saul from 1 Samuel 15. Saul's journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the dangers of carrying past baggage into new seasons of life. Saul was given a clear command by God to completely destroy the Amalekites, yet he chose to spare King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his disobedience as an offering to God. This act of partial obedience led to significant consequences, not only for Saul but for future generations. It serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term impact of our choices and the importance of dealing with our past baggage.

We likened this to our own lives, where God has destinations and plans for us, but we often carry unnecessary baggage that hinders our progress. Just as Saul's disobedience had ramifications centuries later, our unresolved issues can affect not only our lives but also those of future generations. We must be intentional about identifying and eliminating the baggage that weighs us down, whether it be sin, unhealthy habits, or emotional burdens. This process involves not only removing the negative but also replacing it with the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control.

Furthermore, accountability is crucial in this journey. We cannot walk this path alone; we need the support and encouragement of our community to help us stay on track. By being open and honest about our struggles, we can find healing and freedom. Ultimately, the goal is to become more like Jesus, shedding our old selves and embracing the new life He offers. As we step into this new year, let us be intentional about dealing with our past so that we can fully embrace the future God has for us.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Over Sacrifice: Saul's story teaches us that God values obedience over sacrifice. Partial obedience is still disobedience, and it can have long-lasting consequences. We must strive to fully obey God's commands, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [14:26]
2. The Weight of Baggage: Just as Saul's disobedience affected future generations, our unresolved issues can impact not only our lives but also those of our descendants. We must identify and eliminate the baggage that hinders our spiritual growth, replacing it with the fruits of the Spirit. [18:42]
3. Accountability and Community: We cannot walk this journey alone. Accountability and community are essential for spiritual growth. By being open and honest about our struggles, we can find healing and support from our brothers and sisters in Christ. [28:26]
4. Replacing the Negative: It's not enough to simply eliminate negative behaviors or habits; we must replace them with positive, God-honoring traits. This involves a conscious effort to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. [35:59]
5. Looking Beyond the Present: We must learn to see beyond the immediate and focus on the eternal. Our decisions today can have far-reaching effects, and by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can make choices that align with His will and purpose for our lives. [39:51]
** [39:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:41] - Introduction to Saul's Story
[07:21] - The Enemy of Your Past
[14:26] - Saul's Opportunity for Redemption
[18:42] - Consequences of Disobedience
[20:05] - Bartering with Sin
[21:51] - Long-term Ramifications
[23:12] - God's Plans and Our Baggage
[24:26] - Becoming More Like Jesus
[26:06] - Reflecting Jesus in Our Lives
[27:16] - Justifying Disobedience
[28:26] - Taking Ownership of Our Faith
[29:21] - Immediate and Later Effects of Sin
[30:50] - Identifying and Eliminating Baggage
[31:28] - Dealing with Addictions and Envy
[32:17] - Idolatry and Jealousy
[33:35] - Pride and Sexual Immorality
[34:01] - Anger and People Pleasing
[34:40] - Identifying and Eliminating Sin
[35:59] - Replacing Negative with Positive
[37:32] - The Danger of an Empty House
[38:10] - Filling with the Fruits of the Spirit
[39:51] - The Lightness of God's Yoke
[40:51] - Accountability and Community
[42:58] - Thinking Beyond the Present
[44:07] - Handing Off to the Next Generation
[45:50] - Embracing God's Plans for the New Year
[46:22] - Responding to God's Call

Sermon Clips

1. "When you are traveling to a destination and where you are possibly going to stay longer than one night, what is the requirement? Well, the requirement is that you bring baggage and that you pack that baggage with clothes to be able to get you through the time that you are away or the place that you are traveling to. Now Ashley and I knew that Cancun was going to be extremely hot, was going to be extremely warm. And we also knew that we were going to spend a lot of time out by the pool and out by the beach. And so what did we do? Because of that, that helped us pack accordingly based on the weather. We packed accordingly to the place that we were traveling to." [09:46] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "There are some destinations that God wants you to go to, there are some places that God wants to take you to, there are some things that God wants to do in your life, there are some traveling arrangements that God is making for your life, but some of you have been carrying some baggage and you can't go to the place that God wants you to go carrying the baggage from last year. There are some things that you're going to have to make some adjustments in your life if you desire this to be the greatest year of your life if you want this year to be great then you're going to have to deal with the enemy of your past because where God wants to take you you're not going to be able to drag some of that doo-doo and that drama with you into the new place." [13:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God is giving Saul a new season, but the same season as the last time. He is bringing it back around to see if Saul is willing to repent. That's how life is. When you fail in one season, God has the ability to bring that season into your life again to see if you'll fail or if you'll flop or if you'll make it through with what you learned in the last time. A lot of you have been chasing your tails. It's almost been insanity. You have been doing the same thing the same way over and over again, and you have been expecting a new result. That is what the definition of insanity is." [14:30] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What you're unwilling to fix in your life today has the ability to become your children's problem and your children's children's problem moving forward. Us as the church, if we're not willing to take care of all of the crap and all of the drama that we've been known for, that's the same thing we're going to hand down to the next generation. There is a generation of people that grew up in the church that want nothing to do with the church. Why? It's because what they saw and what they heard. They saw a legalistic Jesus, a legalistic God, and they said, because of that, I don't want that God, so I'm going to find my own faith and my own relationship with Jesus." [18:42] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "There is no partial death to sin. That's what Saul tried to do. He tried to negotiate. All right. I'm going to go ahead and trade LeBron for. I mean, that's what he's doing. He's like they need to trade. I'm just kidding. But Clippers fan. Sorry. But but he's he's bartering with Samuel, which really represents God's voice. He's justifying his disobedience. He's just some of you. You in here, you've been blaming your past and your parents and your this and your that to justify your behavior. Why don't you grow up, put some pants on and take ownership of what's going on?" [27:01] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You see, there are unrepentant sin and struggles that do have immediate effects. Obviously, you know that. Condemnation is one of them. You feel guilty. You feel unworthy. You feel shame. Sometimes the immediate effects of our sin can lead to loss, to loss of something, loss of relationship, loss of this, loss of that, loss of job, loss of whatever it is, loss of friendships, whatever. But then our unrepentant sin and struggles also have later effects. And because we can't feel the later effects, or we can't see the effects in the latter time, we think it's okay." [29:21] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "How do I eliminate any baggage in my life? Well, number one, you got to identify what could be, weighing you down, or either violating, it's violating scripture, or just dead weight. Some of you are going to have to identify. You're going to have to be like David. Some of you already know, you're going to have to be like David. You're going to have to come into the baggage that is your life. And you're going to have to, maybe that was my shampoo from Cancun, I don't know. I need to identify what that is." [30:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And so not only do we have to identify it, but we have to eliminate it. Not only discovering why that the surface issue is, but looking beneath and saying, okay God, why have I allowed this in my life? God, why have I behaved this way? God, why am I so angry? God, why have I allowed people pleasing to be such a thing in my life? God, why has sexual immorality taken over my life constantly? Why am I entertaining these relationships? Why am I looking at these things? God, why? Why? You've got to find the root of what it is in your life." [36:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You will never find healing. You will never find freedom to the extent that you need to until you find real accountability. That does not mean that you go into every place and you just start confessing. That's just obvious. That's just awkward, and we have a therapist that we can refer you to. I see him. Remember, I'm crazy, and so if I don't go once a month, I am off the rail. No, I'm just kidding. But even your pastor has a circle of people, a couple, that I confess to, that I need prayer in this. I can't ask you to do what I myself am not modeling." [40:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The Bible says that all a righteous man falls seven times, he gets back up. So it's indicative of the fact that even people that are in right standing with God, are going to make mistakes. But when I got grace and mercy on both sides, when I got people holding me up, when I'm like Moses and I got men holding up my arms, or women holding up my arms, it's going to help me be victorious. And when I get tired and want to put my hands down, they're there to push my hands up." [42:58] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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