Putting the Past Behind

Learning from our mistakes

2002037

Subject: promises; forward thinking; confession of sin.

Introduction:

A. Sin is a terrible thing.

1. Like carrying around a ball & chain. Weighs on you. Slows you down. Tires you out.

2. Heb 12:1 – note the word picture here.

3. Can make us feel utterly helpless. See Lk. 5:8; Acts 2:37

4. Of course, only way out of sin is through Christ! Mt. 11:28-30; Acts 22:16; Eph. 2:4-10

B. Many obey the gospel and do well initially. But then fall back into the same old habits as before becoming a Christian.

1. Then comes the guilt – and this time it’s even worse!

2. Because we know better – know the potential punishment – can weigh on us every hour of every day.

3. 2 Peter 2:20-21

4. Some get so discouraged that they just give up or flirt with the thought of giving up.

C. Brethren…need to understand something. After one obeys the gospel there will be occasion to sin – and the Christian will sin.

1. Devil plays a role here.

a) first he has lost one of his own and is doing all he can to get new/young Christian back w/him.

b) Second – he plays to our weaknesses

c) Third, he tells us we are not worthy to be Christians b/c of our sinful thoughts/ actions.

d) Fourth he tells us there’s just no use in trying anymore.

2. Self plays a role too.

a) much sin is pleasurable.

b) Have to gain control over the body and fleshly wants.

c) “Want to” is essential!

D. But still we fail. Still we fall. Still we willfully engage in sin. What to do? How can we handle our sin & get back up to where we need to be?

E. Promise yourself to learn from the mistakes of the past, and let them go, so you can focus on the future.

I. There are many examples leading us here.

A. Paul. See Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13-15. Then turn to Philippians 3:13-14.

B. Three things people can do with mistakes:

1. resolve to never make another.

a) impossible!

b) See 1 Jhn. 1:8; Rom. 3:23

2. let mistakes make a coward out of us.

a) Judas – Mt. 27:1-10

3. Learn from our mistakes!

a) profitable!

b) Peter – Lk. 22:31; Mt. 26:69-75; 2 Peter 1:3-4

II. On the aspect of letting go…

A. We must learn to let go. Sinful behavior happened. Can’t take it back. Can’t do it over again. Can put words back in mouth, etc.

B. Jerry Stackhouse interviews about his rookie season in NBA:

1. Probasketball is like this, win and forget; lose and forget; win and forget; lose and forget. After every game is another game. After a win, gotta forget it because there’s a game tomorrow. After a loss, gotta forget it, because there’s a game tomorrow.”

III. Additional dangers when making a mistake. (sin)

A. Defensiveness. Keeps one from learning. Not open to learn.

B. Repeated mistakes – says not learning or a student of self.

C. No reflection – not asking questions of self, not thinking.

D. Blind sidedness – says no one is around me, helping me.

1) 1^st counsel? Prov. 3:5-8; 11:14; 13:20; Pro. 1:7; 4:13; Phil. 3:15

IV. 9 step process to Re-take a mistake:

A. 1 decision; 2 action; 3; mistake; 4 question; 5 evaluation

B. 6 correction 7 decision 8 action 9 improvement

C. How doe we get from # 3 to # 9? By DOING # 4, 5, 6.

1. These keep us from making same mistake over and over.

D. No re-read Phil. 3:12-14. Can you make the promise we made at the beginning of this lesson?

Conclusion:

A. What mistakes/sins are you trying to carry?

B. Why?

C. Lighten your load. Give it to Christ Mt. 11:28-30

D. Already a Christian & in sin? Confess it; repent of it; get on w/your life!

E. I N V I T A T I O N.



Putting the Past Behind Learning from our mistakes 2002037 Subject: promises; forward thinking; confession of sin. Introduction: A. Sin is a terrible thing. 1. Like carrying around a ball & chain. Weighs on you. Slows you down. Tires you out. 2. Heb 12:1 – note the word picture here. 3. Can make us feel utterly helpless. See Lk. 5:8; Acts 2:37 4. Of course, only way out of sin is through Christ! Mt. 11:28-30; Acts 22:16; Eph. 2:4-10 B. Many obey the gospel and do well initially. But then fall back into the same old habits as before becoming a Christian. 1. Then comes the guilt – and this time it’s even worse! 2. Because we know better – know the potential punishment – can weigh on us every hour of every day. 3. 2 Peter 2:20-21 4. Some get so discouraged that they just give up or flirt with the thought of giving up. C. Brethren…need to understand something. After one obeys the gospel there will be occasion to sin – and the Christian will sin. 1. Devil plays a role here. a) first he has lost one of his own and is doing all he can to get new/young Christian back w/him. b) Second – he plays to our weaknesses c) Third, he tells us we are not worthy to be Christians b/c of our sinful thoughts/ actions. d) Fourth he tells us there’s just no use in trying anymore. 2. Self plays a role too. a) much sin is pleasurable. b) Have to gain control over the body and fleshly wants. c) “Want to” is essential! D. But still we fail. Still we fall. Still we willfully engage in sin. What to do? How can we handle our sin & get back up to where we need to be? E. Promise yourself to learn from the mistakes of the past, and let them go, so you can focus on the future. I. There are many examples leading us here. A. Paul. See Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13-15. Then turn to Philippians 3:13-14. B. Three things people can do with mistakes: 1. resolve to never make another. a) impossible! b) See 1 Jhn. 1:8; Rom. 3:23 2. let mistakes make a coward out of us. a) Judas – Mt. 27:1-10 3. Learn from our mistakes! a) profitable! b) Peter – Lk. 22:31; Mt. 26:69-75; 2 Peter 1:3-4 II. On the aspect of letting go… A. We must learn to let go. Sinful behavior happened. Can’t take it back. Can’t do it over again. Can put words back in mouth, etc. B. Jerry Stackhouse interviews about his rookie season in NBA: 1. Probasketball is like this, win and forget; lose and forget; win and forget; lose and forget. After every game is another game. After a win, gotta forget it because there’s a game tomorrow. After a loss, gotta forget it, because there’s a game tomorrow.” III. Additional dangers when making a mistake. (sin) A. Defensiveness. Keeps one from learning. Not open to learn. B. Repeated mistakes – says not learning or a student of self. C. No reflection – not asking questions of self, not thinking. D. Blind sidedness – says no one is around me, helping me. 1) 1^st counsel? Prov. 3:5-8; 11:14; 13:20; Pro. 1:7; 4:13; Phil. 3:15 IV. 9 step process to Re-take a mistake: A. 1 decision; 2 action; 3; mistake; 4 question; 5 evaluation B. 6 correction 7 decision 8 action 9 improvement C. How doe we get from # 3 to # 9? By DOING # 4, 5, 6. 1. These keep us from making same mistake over and over. D. No re-read Phil. 3:12-14. Can you make the promise we made at the beginning of this lesson? Conclusion: A. What mistakes/sins are you trying to carry? B. Why? C. Lighten your load. Give it to Christ Mt. 11:28-30 D. Already a Christian & in sin? Confess it; repent of it; get on w/your life! E. I N V I T A T I O N.