How To Get PAST Your PAST, Pt. 1

Philippians 3:12-16; Selected Scriptures By D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min. January 8, 2023 Responsive Reading – Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV) Leader: 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. Congregation: 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, Leader: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Congregation: Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Everyone: Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 1. You need to realize you are still a WORK in PROGRESS, even after you accepted Jesus as your Savior (v. 12, 13a) Philippians 3:12-13 (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. 13 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, Obtained – Perfect – Philippians 3:12 (MSG) – I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Romans 7:18-19 (ESV) – For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Ephesians 3:8 (ESV) – To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 2. You must CHOOSE to let go of ANYTHING in your PAST that will keep you from doing your best in the PRESENT (13b) Philippians 3:13 (ESV) – 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, Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG) – Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. 14 I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Forgetting – A. Don’t allow what you HAVEN’T done in the past to keep you from doing what God wants you to do right now! B. Don’t allow the BAD you’ve done in the past to keep you from doing what God wants you to do right now! C. Don’t allow the GOOD you’ve done in the past to keep you from doing what God wants you to do right now! 2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) – Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 3. You must CHOOSE to SHIFT your FOCUS to what’s in front of you (13c) Philippians 3:13 (ESV) – 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, Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) – 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, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Reaching – 1 Peter 1:13-15 (ESV) – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being soberminded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy...