The document reflects on Philippians 3:12-14, emphasizing the importance of forgetting the past and focusing on the future and present under Christian teachings. It encourages individuals to learn from their past but not let it dictate their future, advocating for forgiveness and positive thinking. Various biblical references support the notion that living correctly today influences a brighter future.

2. 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. (13) 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, (14) I press
toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

3. THE PAST
A. Don’t look back, that’s not where you are
headed.
B. The reason our windshield is so large and our
rearview mirror is so small is because where
we have been is not nearly as important as
where we are going.
C. Our past does not have to determine our
future. The way we live today will determine
our future. If we live right today our future will
be great.
D. We need to forget the mistakes of the past,
except to determine never to repeat them.
E. When you forgive, you in no way change the
past - but you sure do change the future.

4. THE PAST
F. Learn from the past, plan for the future, but
focus on the present.
G.Many of us crucify ourselves between two
thieves - regret for the past and fear of the
future.
H.H.You can’t start a new chapter in your life
until you stop reading the previous one.
I. I. Forget past mistakes, hurts, and pains
but remember the lessons you learned
from them.
J. What does the bible say about forgetting
the past?

5. I. THE PAST IS A WEIGHT THAT
HOLDS US BACK.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since
we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us,

6. II. PAST ATTITUDES NEED TO
BE FORGOTTEN.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness,
wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with all malice.
(32) And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just
as God in Christ forgave you.

7. III. DO NOT STORE UP NEGATIVE
THINGS SAID IN THE PAST.
Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 For there is not a
just man on earth who does good And
does not sin. (21) Also do not take to
heart everything people say, Lest you
hear your servant cursing you. (22) For
many times, also, your own heart has
known That even you have cursed
others.

8. IV. DON’T DWELL ON THE PAST.
Isaiah 43:18-19 "Do not remember the
former things, Nor consider the things of
old. (19) 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.

9. V. FORGET THE PAST AND
LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
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.
(13) 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,
(14) I press toward the goal for the prize of
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

10. VI. DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE
OR PAST, EMPHASIZE THE PRESENT.
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I say to you, do not
worry about your life, what you will eat or what
you will drink; nor about your body, what you
will put on. Is not life more than food and the
body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds
of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor
gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than
they? (27) Which of you by worrying can add
one cubit to his stature? (28) So why do you
worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
(29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.>>

11. VI. DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE
OR PAST, EMPHASIZE THE PRESENT.
(30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the
oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? (31) Therefore do not worry,
saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we
drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For after all
these things the Gentiles seek. For your
heavenly Father knows that you need all these
things. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you. (34) Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its
own trouble.

12. VII. OLD THINGS ARE PAST ALL
THINGS ARE NEW.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is
in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things
have become new.

13. VIII. FOCUS ON POSITIVE
THINGS NOT NEGATIVE.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren,
whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of
good report, if there is any virtue and if
there is anything praiseworthy--meditate
on these things.

14. IX. LOVE THINKS NO EVIL BUT
HAS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and
is kind; love does not envy; love does not
parade itself, is not puffed up; (5) does not
behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
provoked, thinks no evil; (6) does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
(7) bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. (8)
Love never fails. But whether there are
prophecies, they will fail; whether there are
tongues, they will cease; whether there is
knowledge, it will vanish away.

15. YOUR PAST?
A.Are you allowing your past to
determine your future?
B.Are you willing to forget your past so
you can press on toward heaven?
C.Are you willing to control your future
by living right today?
D.Right actions in the present are the
best apologies for wrong actions in the
past.

17. TONIGHT’S SERMON
BEING SONS OF GOD