The past is just that past! As Christians we have to now view ourselves as Christ views us! That is holy, sanctified, and justified. We are set apart in Christ and are happy to renounce our past for what we have in Christ and our future glory! We study in this lesson why we let go of our past.

1. Renunciation
Letting go of the past
By
Brian Birdow
Sermon text: Philippians 3:7-8
www.cmcoc.org

2. Forgetting those thing that are behind
• There is an allusion here undoubtedly to the
Grecian races. One running to secure the prize
would not stop to look behind him to see how
much ground he had run over, or who of his
competitors had fallen or lingered in the way.
• He would keep his eye steadily on the prize,
and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If
his attention was diverted for a moment from
that, it would hinder his flight, and might be the
means of his losing the crown

3. What did Paul give up?
• Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man
thinks that he has reasons he might trust in
the flesh, I more:
• Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day,
of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the
law, a Pharisee;

4. What did Paul give up
• Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting
the church; concerning the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless.
• Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to
me, those I counted loss for Christ.

5. What did Paul give up?
• He gave up all to gain everything!
• The rich younger ruler did not!
• Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If you
will be perfect, go and sell what you have,
and give to the poor, and you shall have
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

6. Us and our past
• Some of us still look at ourselves from when
we were_________________
• Some of us still relish in our past!
• Some mistake the past life as better than the
present Christian life!
• Remember Israel and Egypt? Egypt was
constantly in their hearts!

7. We are new in CHRIST
• Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creature.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man
be in Christ, he is a new creation: old
things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new.

8. Old vs. New
• 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know you not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
• 1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.

9. Were…Past tense!
• 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of
you: but you are washed, but you are
sanctified, but you are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
• Sanctified
• Holy
• Set apart

10. The future is so much better!
• Philippians 3:13 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,
• What are you reaching for?

11. I press toward the mark 3:14
• I press toward the mark. As he who was running a
race did. The "mark" means, properly, the object set
up at a distance at which one looks or aims; and
hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end
of a race-course, and which was to be reached in
order that the prize might be won.
• It means that which is at the end of the Christian
race--heaven. For the prize. The prize of the racer
was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or
apple. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is
incorruptible in heaven.

12. The upward call of GOD
• 1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
• 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory
that fadeth not away.