Sermon Notes
I. To have the future God planned for you, you need to look at the “positive” past–all the success you achieved for yourself—as a loss and impediment to real life. (Philippians 3:1-9, 17)
II. To have the future God planned for you, you need to experience His mercy for the “negative” past—your sins and failures—and receive His strength and grace. (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
III. To have the future God planned for you, you need to forget what is behind you. (Philippians 3:13)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Have you had something happen to you that seemed horrible at the time, but from today’s perspective, was something God used for His purposes? How can your viewpoint on the past affect your faith in the present?
2. In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul explains what it means to know Christ, which is the reason he viewed his past differently. What are the two things that Paul highlights? (One is his present and one is in his future.) How might this change our perspective on suffering?
3. Read Acts 9:1-22. This is the story of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Luke doesn’t explain the change in Paul’s perspective; he only describes the change in Paul’s behavior. What changed in Paul’s thinking? How does this episode help explain what Paul writes in Phil 3:7-11?
4. In 1Timothy, Paul is writing to a young pastor who has accompanied him on his journeys. Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16. Paul is delivering a “trustworthy saying” to Timothy. Read Luke 19:10 and Mark 2:17. What encouragement would this provide to people coming out of pagan culture, in the context of Timothy’s ministry? Why do you think this idea was central to Jesus’ mission?
5. Paul writes a similar idea in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. Some might argue that Paul was disqualified because of his past, but the determination of our present and future lies with God, not people. How do we show that God’s grace is “not without effect”? Think about the ways God has shown you grace. If God has shown you grace, what is your response?
6. Read Acts 7:54-8:3. This is where we first meet Paul (as Saul), where he is present and involved in the stoning of Stephen, and is instrumental in the persecution of the early Christian church. Now read this in connection with 1 Timothy 1:13-14. What kind of grace can cover up a sin this incredible? What role do faith and love play as we leave the past behind and trust God with our future?