Moving Forward in Faith: Embracing Hope and Forgiveness

 

Summary

In the sermon delivered on December 31, 2023, at the Depoe Bay Campus, the pastor focused on the theme of moving forward in faith and letting go of the past. The pastor began by highlighting the importance of focusing on the present and the future, rather than dwelling on past mistakes. He drew a parallel between a basketball player practicing for tryouts and Christians actively participating in their faith through activities like a Bible reading plan. This forward-looking approach is essential for growth in faith.

The pastor then discussed the significance of orienting ourselves towards the future as followers of Jesus, emphasizing that God calls us forward in hope, not backward in regret. He shared personal anecdotes and stories, including a conversation about a sports game and a golfer's perspective on having something to look forward to, to illustrate the importance of a forward-looking mindset.

Learning from our mistakes and failures was another key point, with the pastor referencing the biblical story of The Feeding of the 5000 to illustrate how God can use all the broken pieces of our lives for good. He shared his own experiences of hurt and brokenness, encouraging the congregation to let go of the past and press on towards their goals.

The pastor also spoke about the necessity of having something to look forward to in life, whether it's a job, a hobby, or caring for a pet. He quoted Robert Lewis Stevenson to emphasize that the journey is often more fulfilling than the destination, and encouraged finding purpose and joy in everyday life.

Despite technical difficulties during the service, the pastor expressed gratitude to God for being in control and prayed for the congregation, asking for guidance and hope for the new year. He mentioned upcoming events, such as a New Year's Korean Feast, and reassured the congregation of his commitment as their pastor.

Reflecting on the challenges of the past year, the pastor emphasized two great truths for Christ followers: having no regrets for the past and becoming a new creation in Christ. He described God's forgiveness as burying past mistakes in God's sea of forgetfulness, drawing from Psalm 103:12.

Lastly, the pastor urged the congregation to let go of the past to grow deeper in Christ, releasing the "junk" that hinders spiritual growth. He cited verses from First John and Romans to stress the importance of hope for the future and concluded by discussing the concept of forgiveness, emphasizing that God's forgiveness is limitless and that we should not dwell on past mistakes in prayer.

Key Takeaways

- The pastor teaches that dwelling on past mistakes can hinder our spiritual growth, and God's forgiveness allows us to move forward without the burden of those errors. Just as a basketball player practices with the future in mind, Christians should engage in activities that prepare them for spiritual growth, such as participating in a Bible reading plan. [01:01:45]

- God calls us to look ahead with hope, not backward with regret. The pastor's conversation about sports and the anecdote about the golfer underscore the importance of having future-oriented goals and aspirations. This perspective helps Christians maintain a positive outlook and encourages personal and spiritual development. [42:07]

- The pastor emphasizes that God can use our brokenness and failures for good, as illustrated by the story of The Feeding of the 5000. Personal experiences of hurt are shared to remind us that our past does not define us, and we should focus on the potential for redemption and purpose in our broken pieces. [52:33]

- Having something to look forward to is crucial for a fulfilling life. The pastor encourages finding joy in the journey, not just the destination, and suggests that purpose can be found in everyday activities and relationships. This approach to life brings hope and excitement, which are essential for well-being. [45:27]

- Forgiveness is a central theme of the sermon, with the pastor highlighting that God's forgiveness is complete and should not be questioned in prayer. The pastor shares a personal mistake to illustrate that while consequences may remain, God uses everything, including our failures, to fulfill His purpose for us. This understanding of forgiveness can lead to a more profound sense of freedom and growth. [49:01]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2. Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to someone who is in Christ? How does this relate to the idea of moving forward and not dwelling on the past?
2. In Psalm 103:12, how does the imagery of "as far as the east is from the west" help us understand God's forgiveness?
3. What does Romans 8:28 say about how God uses our life experiences, including our failures and brokenness?
4. The pastor mentioned a golfer's perspective on having something to look forward to. What were the three things the golfer said everyone needs to live well? [42:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) influence a believer's perspective on past mistakes and future growth?
2. What does the phrase "God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28) imply about the role of our failures and brokenness in God's plan? [51:55]
3. How can the idea of God removing our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12) change the way we approach prayer and repentance? [49:01]
4. Reflecting on the pastor's story about the golfer, why is it important for Christians to have something to look forward to? How does this align with the sermon’s message about hope and future orientation? [42:07]

#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of letting go of past mistakes to grow deeper in Christ. Is there a specific past mistake or regret you need to let go of? How can you start this process? [55:28]
2. How can you incorporate the practice of looking forward with hope into your daily life? What is one specific goal or aspiration you can set for the coming year? [40:44]
3. The pastor mentioned the importance of having something to look forward to. What is one activity or event you can plan for the next month that will bring you joy and purpose? [44:50]
4. Reflect on a time when you felt broken or failed. How can you see God using that experience for good in your life now? How does Romans 8:28 encourage you in this? [51:55]
5. The pastor shared that God's forgiveness is limitless and that we should not dwell on past mistakes in prayer. How can you remind yourself of this truth the next time you pray? [49:01]
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your 2024 is not a reflection of past years' regrets and mistakes? How can you actively pursue being a new creation in Christ? [46:53]
7. The pastor encouraged participating in a Bible reading plan to prepare for spiritual growth. How can you commit to this or another spiritual discipline to help you move forward in your faith? [01:01:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Present, Forge the Future
Letting go of past mistakes is essential for spiritual growth. Dwelling on what cannot be changed only hinders progress. Instead, one should actively engage in practices that foster spiritual development, like committing to a Bible reading plan, which prepares the heart and mind for the journey ahead. [01:01:45]

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: What past mistake are you holding onto that is preventing you from moving forward in your faith journey?

Day 2: Aspire to Hopeful Horizons
A future-oriented mindset is vital for personal and spiritual development. Like athletes who train with their eyes set on the prize, Christians are called to focus on the hope that lies ahead, setting goals and aspirations that align with their faith. This perspective keeps one's outlook positive and encourages growth. [42:07]

Philippians 3:13-14 - "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What future-oriented goal can you set today that will help you grow in your faith?

Day 3: Redeemed Brokenness
God's ability to use our brokenness for good is a testament to His power and grace. The story of The Feeding of the 5000 shows that He can take what little we have, even our failures, and multiply it for His purposes. This understanding allows us to let go of our past and embrace the potential for redemption in our lives. [52:33]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: How can you offer your weaknesses and broken pieces to God today, trusting Him to use them for His glory?

Day 4: Joy in the Journey
Finding joy in the journey of life is as important as reaching the destination. Purpose and fulfillment can be found in everyday activities and relationships, which bring hope and excitement to our lives. This approach to life ensures that every day is lived with anticipation and gratitude. [45:27]

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 - "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God."
Reflection: What is one aspect of your daily life that you can approach with renewed purpose and joy starting today?

Day 5: The Freedom of Forgiveness
Understanding the completeness of God's forgiveness is crucial for spiritual freedom. While consequences of past actions may remain, God uses everything, including our failures, to fulfill His purpose. This profound sense of forgiveness leads to a deeper sense of freedom and growth in Christ. [49:01]

Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Reflection: Is there a past mistake you're struggling to forgive yourself for? How can you accept God's complete forgiveness and allow yourself to move forward today?

Quotes

"Every single one of us needs something to get out of bed for... we all need something to get up for, our jobs, our vocations might fill up much of our time, and that's good, but even in retirement, we need something to fill up our time, we need something that allows us to be productive." [42:48] (Download)

"We all need someone to love, we all want to be loved by someone, but that's not in our control. You and I can choose to love other people, especially one significant one in your life, whether your spouse, your kids, even if it's that dog that pesters you to want to be let out in the morning." [44:14] (Download)

"Everyone needs something to look forward to... make sure there's something on your calendar every month that you're looking forward to. It may be a special event or an outing, a family celebration, a concert, a trip, an evening out with friends, or even just a hike in the mountains." [44:50] (Download)

"Remember, God says when we ask for forgiveness, it's as far as the East is from the West... all I do is see you through the blood stains of Jesus." [59:48] (Download)

"His behavior in the summer is determined by his hope for what will happen in the fall. Friends, you and I need to catch hold of that." [01:00:28] (Download)

"Jesus looked at his disciples and he said gather up the broken pieces let nothing be wasted... he's talking about us... when we think that there's nothing that can come out of our life's stinky situations God says let me have all the broken pieces." [54:07] (Download)

"Our past mistakes are buried in God's sea of forgetfulness and I don't know about you but that draws an incredible mind image for me right Psalms 103:12 says it's as far as the East is from the West." [48:22] (Download)

"A Christ follower is oriented towards the future and not the past. You and I as followers of Jesus we have to be looking this way and not that way." [40:44] (Download)

"God is always standing in our future calling us forward in Hope and never backwards in regret." [40:44] (Download)

"Everyone needs three things to live well: something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to." [42:07] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?