Putting the Past Behind

Introduction:
Heb. 12:1. Sin is pictured as an incredible weight and burden on our lives. It can make us feel utterly hopeless. See Lk. 5:8; Acts 2:37. The only way one can get relief from the burden of sin is to come to Christ. See Mt. 11:28-30; Acts 22:16; Eph. 2:4-10. Many understand what is needed to obey the gospel and do so gladly and wholeheartedly! But, then fall back into the same old habits as before becoming a Christian. Then comes the guilt—and now it’s even worse! (2 Peter 2:20-21) We must understand that after obeying the gospel, we will sin again! The devil plays a role and so do we. Promise yourself to learn from the mistakes of the past, and let them go, so you can focus upon the future.

I. There are many examples leading us here.
    A. _________ - Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13-15 > Phil. 3:13-14
    B. Three things people can do with mistakes.
        1. ___________ to never make another. Impossible! 1 Jhn. 1:8; Rom. 3:23
        2. Let mistakes make a _________ out of us! Judas Mt. 27:1-10
        3. _____________ from our mistakes.
            a) _________ Lk. 22:31; Mt. 26:69-75; 2 Peter 1:3-4

II. On the aspect of letting go…
    A. We must learn to ____ ___. Sinful behavior happened. Can’t take it back!
    B. Jerry Stackhouse interview about 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. ____________________. Keeps one from learning. Not open to learn.
    B. Repeated ___________. Says one not learning or student of self.
    C. No _______________. Not asking questions of self; not thinking.
    D. ___________ ______________ says no one is around me, helping me.
        1. See 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 ___________; 5 _____________
    B. 6 ______________; 7 decision; 8 action; 9 improvement
    C. How do we get from # 3 to # 9? By DOING # 4, 5, 6!
        1. These things keep us from making the same mistake over & over!
    D. Reread Phil. 3:12-15. 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? Lighten your load! Share the burden with Christ! Mt. 11:28-30



Putting the Past Behind Introduction: Heb. 12:1. Sin is pictured as an incredible weight and burden on our lives. It can make us feel utterly hopeless. See Lk. 5:8; Acts 2:37. The only way one can get relief from the burden of sin is to come to Christ. See Mt. 11:28-30; Acts 22:16; Eph. 2:4-10. Many understand what is needed to obey the gospel and do so gladly and wholeheartedly! But, then fall back into the same old habits as before becoming a Christian. Then comes the guilt—and now it’s even worse! (2 Peter 2:20-21) We must understand that after obeying the gospel, we will sin again! The devil plays a role and so do we. Promise yourself to learn from the mistakes of the past, and let them go, so you can focus upon the future. I. There are many examples leading us here. A. _________ - Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13-15 > Phil. 3:13-14 B. Three things people can do with mistakes. 1. ___________ to never make another. Impossible! 1 Jhn. 1:8; Rom. 3:23 2. Let mistakes make a _________ out of us! Judas Mt. 27:1-10 3. _____________ from our mistakes. a) _________ Lk. 22:31; Mt. 26:69-75; 2 Peter 1:3-4 II. On the aspect of letting go… A. We must learn to ____ ___. Sinful behavior happened. Can’t take it back! B. Jerry Stackhouse interview about 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. ____________________. Keeps one from learning. Not open to learn. B. Repeated ___________. Says one not learning or student of self. C. No _______________. Not asking questions of self; not thinking. D. ___________ ______________ says no one is around me, helping me. 1. See 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 ___________; 5 _____________ B. 6 ______________; 7 decision; 8 action; 9 improvement C. How do we get from # 3 to # 9? By DOING # 4, 5, 6! 1. These things keep us from making the same mistake over & over! D. Reread Phil. 3:12-15. 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? Lighten your load! Share the burden with Christ! Mt. 11:28-30