The Apostle Paul Had to Forget (Philippians 3:13-14) “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) The apostle Paul made the decision to forget many things which we must do also in order to press on towards the goal of eternal life.

The Apostle Paul Had to Forget By God’s grace through Jesus Christ, he was able to forget… …his family (Phil. 3:5; Gal. 1:13ff) …his past sins (Phil. 3:6; 1 Tim. 1:12ff) …the sins committed against him (2 Cor. 11:23ff) …his past disappointments (Philippians 3:18)

We Must Forget... Our Family and Spiritual Heritage (when they were wrong)

All of us remember how we were raised. (Ezekiel 18:19-20). Whether we were raised in a denomination or given ungodly examples, we must not hold a grudge or perpetuate their mistakes in our lives (Ezekiel 18:19-20).

Our Family and Spiritual Heritage (when they were wrong) How many have allowed bitterness to cripple their lives spiritually because they blame their parents or preacher for their own errors and don’t seek the truth? (Matthew 10:37) We must love our Lord more than our parents or we are not worthy of Him. (Matthew 10:37)

We Must Forget... Our Family and Spiritual Heritage (when they were wrong) Sins We Committed (when they’ve been forgiven)

(Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 John 1:9) The only way that we can get forgiveness of our sins is through the blood of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 John 1:9) But even when we have been forgiven of our sins, we might allow the heinous sins that we committed in the past agonize us with guilt so that we cannot or do not serve God as we should.

Sins We Committed (when they’ve been forgiven) (Hebrews 8:12; Psalms 103:8-14) As the apostle Paul did, remember God’s grace and mercy through Christ Jesus, that when you are forgiven, it’s forgotten. (Hebrews 8:12; Psalms 103:8-14) Trust in God’s promises & forgive yourself!

We Must Forget... Our Family and Spiritual Heritage (when they were wrong) Sins We Committed (when they’ve been forgiven) Others’ Sins Against Us

Everyone of us has had evil done to us whether by word or deed. How do we forget what they did to us? (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; 2 Timothy 4:16) By praying for them and be willing to forgive them as we see the example of Jesus and His followers. (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; 2 Timothy 4:16)

Others’ Sins Against Us (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:33ff) If we are not willing to forgive others sins against us, how can we expect our Heavenly Father to forgive our trespasses? (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:33ff) (Galatians 5:19ff; Colossians 3:8ff). If you hold a grudge and continue to remember how others have sinned against you, it will eventually produce bitter fruit and a hardened heart (Galatians 5:19ff; Colossians 3:8ff).

We Must Forget... Our Family and Spiritual Heritage (when they were wrong) Sins We Committed (when they’ve been forgiven) Others’ Sins Against Us Our Disappointments

We have all been disappointed by circumstances that didn’t turn out the way we desired (prayers unanswered, relationships ended, brethren departing the faith, the gospel rejected, etc.). How do we overcome our disappointments?

Our Disappointments (2 Corinthians 12:9). Realize with the apostle Paul that God’s grace is sufficient for us for power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). (Genesis 6:13-14; 2 Peter 2:5) Noah could have been bitterly disappointed with the result of his preaching to a wicked world and quit but he did not give up & saved his family. (Genesis 6:13-14; 2 Peter 2:5)

Conclusion Please do not forget your obligations and responsibilities to God and others and especially our gospel meeting this week. But we must forget some things if we are going to be useful in the service of our Lord and press on towards the goal of heaven.

Conclusion We must forget how our family or a preacher has failed us. We must forget sins that have already been forgiven because God has already done that. We must forget how others sinned against us and pray for them. We must forget our disappointments.

Conclusion But if you have unforgiven sins at this time and die in that condition, you will have to give an account for it on the Day of Judgment because God will not forget them (1 Timothy 5:24; Matthew 7:21-23). (1 Cor. 6:9-11) You can be baptized today and receive the forgiveness of sins with the hope of eternal life (1 Cor. 6:9-11). (Hebrews 8:12) All your past sins will be forgiven and forgotten. (Hebrews 8:12) (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). If you are not serving the Lord as you should, repent and confess your sins because He is faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).