1. Dealing Biblically With The Past FALL 2014

2. RESOURCE FOR CHANGE

3. TWO EXTREMES TO AVOID 1.The Past is Everything 2.The Past is Nothing

4. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 1.Unanswered Questions “Too many people have grown up believing it is wrong to ask questions. They think such activity is disrespectful, immature, or unfaithful…But posing questions to God in the right way can actually be an act of reverence and worship because it demonstrates that you want to use the trial of your faith to grow in your understanding of him.”

5. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 1.Unanswered Questions Habakkuk 1:2-4 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

6. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 1.Unanswered Questions 2.Unaddressed Hurts Psalm 42:3-5 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

7. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 1.Unanswered Questions 2.Unaddressed Hurts 3.Unresolved Problems Hebrews 12:14-15 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

8. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 4.Unwise Choices 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

9. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 4.Unwise Choices 5.Unconfessed Sin Genesis 3:12-13 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

10. THE PAST: ONE OF YOUR WORST ENEMIES 4.Unwise Choices 5.Unconfessed Sin 6.Unlearned Lessons Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

11. SO HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE PAST? 1.Listen to the past Proverbs 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

12. SO HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE PAST? 1.Listen to the past 2.Address the heart Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

13. PERSONAL REFLECTION 1.Should emotional authenticity or transparency about past hurts be a goal for a body of believers? 2.Describe what this would look like in our church fellowship.