Don't Look Back!
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Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
It is impossible to be fully-devoted to Jesus if we keep looking back at what’s behind us.
The past can negatively affect our future if we let it.
“Don’t look back, something may be gaining on you” Satchel Paige
“Don’t look back, something may be gaining on you”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus is talking about becoming a full-devoted follower.
Jesus is talking about becoming a fully-devoted follower.
Jesus is talking about becoming a full-devoted follower.
Jesus is talking about becoming a full-devoted follower.
It is impossible to be fully-devoted to Jesus if we keep looking back at what’s behind us.
The past can negatively affect our future if we let it.
B. Looking back Hinders Forward Progress
Looking back Hinders Forward Progress
Looking back Hinders Forward Progress.
1. Looking back may be making you depressed
2. Looking back may be giving you a defeatist attitude
The Bible talks about the dangers of looking back.
Don’t look back at Sins that have been Forgiven
Don’t look back at Sins that have been Forgiven
Don’t look back at Sins that have been Forgiven
1. guarantees forgiveness of all sins.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
2. God really does put our sins away.
2. God really does put our sins away ()
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
3. Perhaps you believe this for others, but not for yourself
3. Perhaps you believe this for others, but not for yourself
4. But God has put away all sin, even your most serious ones
B. Don’t look back at Defeats that get you Down
Don’t look back at Defeats that get you Down
Don’t look back at Defeats that get you Down
1. All people have some defeats in their past.
2. Only those who never attempt anything are free from failing.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
4. Don’t allow failing to make you feel you are a failure
3. Don’t allow failing to make you feel you are a failure
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4977 Epigram on Repentance
No man is rich enough to buy back his past.
—Oscar Wilde
C. Don’t look back at the Past and see it Better than it was ()
Don’t look back at the Past and see it Better than it was ()
Don’t look back at the Past and see it Better than it was ()
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
1. Israel hurt itself by looking back to Egypt.
2. Distance lends enchantment
“Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and you will eat it.
2. Nostalgia is not an honest interpretation of the realities of our past.
3. Nostalgia isn't an honest interpretation of the realities of our past
Vance Havner “The present is never as good as it used to be”
3. A great future beats a great past every time.
D. Don’t look back at old Conflicts that make you Bitter
Don’t look back at old Conflicts that make you Bitter
Don’t look back at old Conflicts that make you Bitter
1. If you rehearse old conflicts the hurt will return.
2. Rehashing hurts opens the old wounds.
3. Even issues where forgiveness has taken place will become dangerous again if you keep going over the anger and pain.
4. Peter urges us to forget past hurts.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1 pt 2
E. on’t look back at old Victories that may cause you to think you have Arrived ()
2. I served the Lord with all my heart … once
3. I was a soul winner … once
4. I was sold out to Christ … once
5. What about today?
III. Conclusion
Take this with you...
Take this with you...
Look up! To Jesus.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Look Ahead! The best is yet to come!
Look Ahead! The best is yet to come!
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.
C. Look Ahead! The best is yet to come!
phil
Look Forward! We keep our paths straight by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
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.
We keep our paths straight by looking forward at Jesus.
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
2. I served the Lord with all my heart … once
3. I was a soul winner … once
4. I was sold out to Christ … once
5. What about today?
We keep our paths straight by looking forward at Jesus.