Turn Away From Yesterday

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RWM SERMON- 04-01-09 Turn Away From Yesterday

Foundation Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14 -"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (NKJV)

Here lies one of the most recognized and oft quoted of scriptural passages of the Bible. I would like to focus our attention to verse 13 - "…..forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead." In this isolated portion of scripture, we find one of the primary keys to a successful progression towards spiritual maturity and prosperity - forgetting.

The desire and ability to consciously release the events and occurrences of yesterday is of great immensity in value as it pertains to spiritual advancement and its multitudinous benefits. One of the most resolute and unyielding roadblocks to the triumphant life associated with Christianity is the inability to leave the past in the past. The natural force of direction in life is forward. One's ability to remain focused is paramount in maintaining this forward movement. When this focus becomes somehow divided, the force that propels us forward is in many ways dissipated. We were not wired to move in two directions at one time; the psychological, spiritual, and physical devastation brought on by attempting to do so is monumental.

The first thing we must take notice of in our scriptural passage is the verb tense used. Paul uses the present tense, "forgetting", indicating that it is an ongoing process. Each day, each moment of our existence can be focused on either, what has happened or what will happen. There is a place for retrospection; however, there is a difference in examining the past and living in it.

Next, I would like to examine the word "forgetting" a little closer. Here Paul is not speaking of forgetting in the sense of an absent minded loss of memory, but of an established and cultivated ability to file away those memories in a manner that they are not a part of your everyday life and functions. As an athlete I had to be able to learn from my mistakes and almost immediately put them behind me. if I did not have this ability, the psychological burden of the mistake would lead to even more mistakes. Forgetting allows us to lighten our load and press forward. As we press forward in this study, I invite you to step into the emancipated realm of "forgetting". Together, we will learn to "turn away from yesterday".

Moving on, we must observe the general nature of the proclamation of forgetting. There is no specificity in sight. William Mac Donald says it this way, “Forgetting those things which are behind would mean not only his sins and failures but also his natural privileges, attainments, and successes which he had described earlier in this chapter, and even his spiritual triumphs. But Bishop, why would we want to forget the positive things; the victories, the blessings, the accomplishments and more? The answer, in its simplest form is that dwelling on one’s past accolades and triumphs leads to arrogance and complacence. Success should breed confidence, but this confidence must be applied to future endeavors, not squander through retrospective inhabitation. Living in the past is one of the most devastating hinderances to Christian living.

So many of us are holding on to different stages of the past. Anger, hatred, arrogance, an unforgiving spirit, guilt and more are at the source of the problem. There is the broken hearted lover who refuses to let go of the pain of yesterday. Their entire life has been commandeered and consumed by yesterday. there is the successful business executive who for his life can’t stop talking about the deal of the century he brokered twenty years ago. These “past-dwellers”, as all others, are confronted daily with awesome opportunities for prosperity and blessing, but their obsession with yesterday has blinded them to the potential of tomorrow.

My grandfather, when teaching me the principle of giving, told me that a closed hand cannot receive; basically he was saying that in order to receive, one must first be willing to relinquish something. The same principle can and should be applied to the concept of spiritual progression. As we let go of yesterday, tomorrow begins to come into focus. To this point, what has been presented may be in some ways, aloof. however it is my desire as we press forward to bring the action closer to home.

There are some who are ardently pressing for a breakthrough. Their knees are raw from the act of incessant and persistent prayer, yet they find themselves coming up short of the mark. Their vehement struggle to climb to higher heights has proven counter-productive. No matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to gain ground. And just as miserable are those who seem to have gained all they desire and more, but still feel empty inside. From the outside looking in, they have it all together; they are the envy of many, but somehow the ability to enjoy that success has escaped them. in each case the culprit is the same; an unrelinquished past.

So many hold on to their past because they feel they are relinquishing power in some way by letting go, when in fact, the power comes in the form of relinquishment. When we hold on to the past, we allow it to take hold of us. it is time to press on. Paul understood that to focus on the past would stifle the future. God is waiting to bless you.

Paul was able to contribute over half of the New testament to the Biblical canon. He almost spread the message of the Gospel to the entire gentile world single handedly. He did this by looking forward. In verse 15, Paul exhorts, “Therefore let us, as many as are mature have this mind.” He’s saying, “what has proved beneficial to me will stand to bless you too. Many times, Paul spoke of himself as an example. It would be to our advantage to draw from this example of forgetting; It’s time to turn away from yesterday.

Don’t get me wrong. I know that the vicissitudes and trials of this life can, to say the least, be overwhelming and can make it all but impossible to maintain a sanguine attitude. I’m in no way insinuating that the scars of yesterday are not of consequence. In fact, if these issues have not yet been addressed, then I would advise that you do so. If necessary, seek qualified help, but once the issue has been addressed, put it behind you.

Let us return to our scriptural passage in an effort to attain a more acute illumination of the power of moving ahead. Paul does not stop at forgetting, but immediately points toward reaching forward, not aimlessly, but with a specificity of the things which lie ahead. Looking back into yesterday diminishes our ability to press forward.

If we look back to verse 12 Paul says, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected....” Paul is acknowledging that he is not yet complete in his Christian transformation. He understands that he still has work to do. he understands that there are some wrinkles to be pressed out and some jaggedness that must be smoothed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s response to his infallibility and less than perfect nature is: “ but I press on...” Paul acknowledges this purpose when he says, “that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

We, too, must learn to walk in our God given purpose; living in the fullness of our God given strength. This does not mean that the way will be easy, in fact, your walk with Christ may serve to intensify your struggles and the vehement storms you encounter in this ethereal journey. Though the way may be tough, God has already paved the road to victory. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you shall have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” In this passage, we find two major truths; The fist being that in this life, in this world, we will have tribulations. Friends will turn on us, family will forsake us, we will be tossed by the impetuous storms of life. There is no circumvention of life's struggles, however, there is good news: The very same passage that reveals the certainty of struggles, guarantees peace. This is not a peace absent of struggle, but despite of it. This is the same peace that our brother Paul acknowledges in chapter 4, verse 7, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This peace is incomprehensible and impossible to express in words. This peace guides us through the circumstances of the moment. This peace holds our sanity in place when we are being tossed by the winds of adversity. This peace gives us a calmness that transcends the moment. This peace I speak of holds and comforts you through bouts of loneliness and fits of despair. This peace is your constant reminder that the God you serve is able. -He is able to bring you through the struggles, scrapes, and scars of yesterday.

In Isaiah 43:18.19, the Lord says, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. behold, I will do a “new thing”, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” God’s command here is to forget the former things, good and bad. he is saying, “the hurt and the pain of your past, I will replace with joy and triumph; I will do a new thing. no matter how awesome the blessings of yesterday, it will not compare with the exceedingly abundant blessings of tomorrow; I will do a new thing.”

Turn away from yesterday and progress toward tomorrow. Tomorrow is a brighter day. Are you praying for a breakthrough? Your breakthrough is emerging through the dawning of a new day. God’s got something awesome for you. He desires to wipe the tears away, He has purposed in his will to give you a new hope, He has declared victory and triumph in your current situation. I don’t know what you are going through, but I know God is able. There is no battle, there is no heartache, no storm or trial that my God can’t bring you through. The uncertainty of tomorrow may paralyze you at times; however, press on. I, myself, don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.

Be not dismayed by whatever you are or have been going through; God will take care of you. God’s got a “New Thing” for you! God’s about to bust a move in your life. He’s about to turn up the blessings. He’s about to rain down favor. He’s about to heal your land. Give God some praise. Don’t wait until the battle is over, shout right now. Thank Him for His mercy, thank Him for bountiful blessings, Thank Him for joy unspeakable. Yes, it’s time; time to turn away from yesterday.

Press toward your mark and may you be richly blessed.

Bishop Rick Wallace
Founder & President
Rick Wallace Ministries
100 Men of Purpose

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