Pastor talked about how yesterday’s experiences is a lesson, not a life sentence. Let go of past failures and successes alike, trust God’s promise of a new beginning, and move forward in faith toward His purpose for your life.
Dwelling on yesterday
Theme Scripture:
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth..." — Isaiah 43:18–19 (KJV)
Introduction:
One of the greatest battles many believers fight is not against the devil but against self and their past.
Many Christians are not progressing today—not because God has stopped working, but because they are still living in the memories of yesterday. Some are held captive by past failures, others by past disappointments, painful experiences, or even past successes. Instead of moving forward by faith, they allow yesterday to define today and determine tomorrow.
God never intended your past to become your prison.He intends it to become your testimony.
1. The Past Was Meant to Teach You, Not Define You Isaiah 43:18-19"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing..."
God was speaking to Israel after years of disappointment and captivity. Before they could embrace the "new thing," they first had to release the old.
Many people keep rehearsing:
What they lost.
Who hurt them.
The opportunities they missed.
The mistakes they made.
But God says, “Stop looking behind because I am already working ahead."
Paul's for instance
Philippians 3:13-14"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Paul had a painful history.
He persecuted Christians.
He approved Stephen's death.
He carried guilt.
Yet he understood that dwelling on yesterday would prevent him from pursuing God's purpose.
Take notice that forgetting is intentional. People can label you and it becomes a great limitation. You begin to wonder. How do I even face these same people that are already judging me?
You cannot move forward while constantly looking backward. That is why we have our eyes at the front and not at the back. That is why the driving and rear mirrors are smaller in size. They could be a distraction if they were bigger.
2. The Limitations of Yesterday
Past failure creates invisible limitations. After repeated disappointments, people begin to believe the following: It becomes an inbuilt culture by instinct subliminally.
It won't work.
I've tried before.
Nothing changes.
Maybe this is my destiny.
Failure slowly teaches people to quit. Proverbs 24:16—“For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again..."
*Note: Righteousness is not measured by never falling. It is measured by always rising. The devil is not concerned that you failed. He wants you to stay down.
Peter's Failure
Peter denied Jesus three times.Instead: Jesus restored him. Peter later preached on Pentecost, and over 3,000 souls were saved.
*Note: One failure never cancels God's purpose.
3. Stagnation Has No Benefits
Every believer eventually faces the question, “Should I stay here?” or Should I trust God and move?
Israel at the Red Sea
Exodus 14:15"And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.
"Note: God never told them to camp beside the Red Sea. He commanded movement.Sometimes movement happens before the miracle.
Nomads understand this; people living in tents know something important. I have watched a TV show called “Itchy Boots.” While riding a bike in Mongolia, she says they often move after about six months. The same is true about our nomads here in the past.
When resources become exhausted… They move.
Note: Remaining where growth has stopped eventually leads to decline. Spiritually the same is true.
Some Christians have fallen; others remain in old habits, old fears, old disappointments, and old comfort zones, fearing SALVATION because moving requires faith.
