LET IT GO

INTRO: The phrase, “Let it go” has become popular in recent years due in part to the song heard in Disney’s animated movie, “Frozen”. It has become common to tell someone who is belaboring some point of contention, or overly concerned about something to “let it go”. The fact is, that there are many people who just need to “let it go” because they are dwelling in their past, be it good or bad. People dwell in the past in a variety of ways.”-  Morgan Whidden

I. MANY DWELL ON PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

A. Solomon said, “For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” (Ecc. 2:16).

B. Remember what Paul said, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

1. Others tend to forget the “good” that we do.

2. God judges our motives.

 C. Dwelling on past accomplishments can hinder our future service for the Lord. One’s mind and heart are held prisoner by the past.

II. MANY DWELL ON PAST WRONGS DONE TO THEM.

A. Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mk. 11:25-26).

1. Remember the conversation between Peter and Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

2. Paul said, “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32).

B. James tells us, “ Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (James 5:9).

C. Dwelling on past wrongs done to us allows someone else control of our minds. We are unable to pursue the plan of God because we are prisoners of the past.

 III. MANY DWELL ON SINS OF THE PAST.

A. John said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9).

B. The psalmist said, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 103:8-12).

C. Jesus said, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk. 9:62)

 1. We must not look back on past sin with pleasure.

2. Neither are we to look back on sin that has been forgiven with regret.

 D. To dwell on past sin is to allow the devil to have influence on our lives. We are held prisoner by a past, or past event that God has forgiven. Thus, we fail to realize the plan of God for our lives.

CONC: The Lord does not want us to dwell on our past, good or bad. What He wants is for you to come to Christ for salvation and receive the gift of eternal life. As far as the past is concerned, LET IT GO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I. MANY DWELL ON PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS. A. Solomon said, “For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” (Ecc. 2:16). B. Remember what Paul said, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Cor. 3:13-15). 1. Others tend to forget the “good” that we do. 2. God judges our motives.  C. Dwelling on past accomplishments can hinder our future service for the Lord. One’s mind and heart are held prisoner by the past. II. MANY DWELL ON PAST WRONGS DONE TO THEM. A. Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mk. 11:25-26). 1. Remember the conversation between Peter and Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” 2. Paul said, “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32). B. James tells us, “ Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (James 5:9). C. Dwelling on past wrongs done to us allows someone else control of our minds. We are unable to pursue the plan of God because we are prisoners of the past.  III. MANY DWELL ON SINS OF THE PAST. A. John said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9). B. The psalmist said, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 103:8-12). C. Jesus said, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk. 9:62)  1. We must not look back on past sin with pleasure. 2. Neither are we to look back on sin that has been forgiven with regret.  D. To dwell on past sin is to allow the devil to have influence on our lives. We are held prisoner by a past, or past event that God has forgiven. Thus, we fail to realize the plan of God for our lives. CONC: The Lord does not want us to dwell on our past, good or bad. What He wants is for you to come to Christ for salvation and receive the gift of eternal life. As far as the past is concerned, LET IT GO!