A Teaching By Bro. Abiodun Ogunjobi

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, SANGOTEDO, LEKKI

PUTTING THE PAST IN THE PAST

Introduction:

3

• Thank God the much anticipated New Year is eventually here!

• The celebration seems to have subsided and things seem to be taking their right position.

• Yet the painful thoughts of the previous year still lingered on some peoples mind, as they kept pondering on all the ugly circumstances that befell them in 2014.

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,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

• When you continue to dwell on the painful past, your ability to move forward and possess the treasures God have for you this year might be hampered.

• It is time to forget the past and shy away from allowing the painful circumstances of the past to contaminate the awesome blessings God have prepared for you this year.

• We should not allow past successes to inflate our pride or past failure to deflate our self worth

• John 16: 21-22

• a

4

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remember no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

5

6

says “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil”• We cannot return to the past on life’s journey—trust God for

present & future.• Time goes so fast, we would have wanted to stop it or slow it down,

but time flies. • Time is precious.• Time is an opportunity for good.• Time is short. • Our life is but a vapour, like rising smoke that vanishes away.

Our time here on earth is nothing but a moment in comparison to eternity-Jam 4:14

• Job exclaims that his days are faster than an eagle. They pass away as swift ships.

• Wise man:

– patient wait , trust in God

– Isa. 40:31 says “they that wait upon the lord…

– Micah 7:7

• Foolish man:

– impatient, angry, cynical—wants to control life’s events, cannot trust God or man

7

Isa40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me

8

9

Eccl. 7:8-10

Caterpillar—Cocoon—Monarch Butterfly

Life’s Prosperity & Adversity

10

Eccl. 7:13-14

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

11

Gen. 15:2-4 Gen. 16

Ex. 14:13-16

13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

12

2 Cor. 12:7-10

13

• Jam. 1:17

14

Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin

Matt 6:14-15 Mark 11:25

Mt.6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Mk. 11:15 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

15

Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin

Matt. 18:15

Mt. 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16

Seeking & Offering Forgiveness of Sin

1 Cor. 6:9-11

9 Know ye 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, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

17

sorrow, dreadfulness, nightmares, financial woes, spiritual fruitlessness, bereavement, disappointments, joblessness, failures, setbacks, sickness, and pains in the past.