2nd Sunday of Easter!
Introduction:
A. In many ways, Easter is about a new
beginning!
1. It was a new beginning for the disciples;
they
would
have to figure out what all this meant and
how
to go on without the Earthly Jesus.
2. It is a new beginning for all of us as it is
all
about
forgiveness and a new start.
B. Some of us truly need a new beginning.
C. This morning, if we will listen to this
scripture closely, it will challenge us to learn from
the past, put it behind, and
launch out into the future!
Prayer
Read Phil. 3:10-15a
I. Paul's Comment on the Past and the Future.
A. He certainly had a past that could have
caused him to throw away his future.
B. In Acts, we read of Paul as a young, up and
coming Jew who hated Christians with a passion.
1. In Acts 8:1, we read that . . ."Saul was
there, giving approval to his death," speaking of Stephen’s
death. Saul is Paul!
2. In Acts 9, we read that Saul was on his way
to
C. As he wrote to these Christians at
D. Paul tells them to press on and to strain
toward the goal of Christian living.
E. Ready to launch out into the future as
individuals and
as
a church? We need to heed Paul's message
about
"New
Beginnings."
II. We Must Remember and Learn from the Past.
A. It is said that, "only a fool forgets
his/her past."
1. It is obvious that some people completely
forget
the mistakes they make because they make
the same
ones over and over.
2. We need to review the past once in a while,
not
to drag up old linen, or to open old
wounds, but
to remember the lessons life teaches us.
B. As a church, we need to remember the past
years and
its lessons.
1. We should know by now that God has a mission
for
us.
a. We’ve
seen some good things happen in the past 4 years.
b. 14
people have joined the church; most of
these were new to the church. Some have
already moved on. Thus it is in the life of
the church.
c. Others
have taken on leadership positions in
the church!
d. Others have come into the church and
consider this their church; although, they
have not joined. Many of these are
taking
an active part and serving among us!
e. Look around and think about those who were
not here 4 years ago! God has blessed us
greatly!
2. We should know by now that when we have a need, God is going to meet that need if we are willing to do our part.
3. We should know by now that any problem, big
or small, can be worked out if we are willing to put the
mission of the church and the
4. We should know by now that reaching out and touching
lives for Christ is worth all the headaches and work involved.
III. But . . . We Must Not Live in the Past, but Press on to the Future.
A. As individuals, this is the good news: "God forgives our sins, and puts
them in the past."
1. Whatever we may have been is not important;
what we can be with Christ is important!
2. Like Paul, God looks at us NOW.
3. Like Paul, we can become people who can make
a difference
in this world, Now!
4. As Christians, this is the time for us to put the past mistakes away and begin to grow up in Christ!
a. We need to start to discipline our lives, Now!
b. We need to study, attend church or better yet,
participate in the church, Now!
c. We need to honestly ask God to help us
change our bad habits and attitudes, Now!
B. As a church, this is the time for you to
anticipate the doors that will open in
the future.
1. Those people who will walk through these
doors
looking for a new church.
2. Those people who you will invite and they
come.
3. Those who will be confirmed, baptized, or
reaffirm
their baptisms!
4. Those who will move to Forsyth in retirement
and
find
a church here to serve God the rest of their
years!
5. Those who will become involved or come into
the church through small groups.
6. Those of your families who you will reach.
7. Those who will begin to grow and really enjoy
living
for Christ.
C. The tendency is for us to become content and bask in the glory of past accomplishments, but we must be thankful past victories, and then, put them all behind us and get ready to REACH, TEACH, AND MINISTER to the people who need us in the future.
1. We
can’t become satisfied!
2. There
are still people to reach!
D. We must ask ourselves how we can do that?
1. What
changes do we need to make? What is
working? What is not?
2. Then
launch out into the future.
3. It
has been said that only a fool will keep doing the same thing and expect different
results.
E. There is also the possibility of letting
yesterday’s
past
failures defeat us and cause us to give up and
say
we can’t do it!
1. That is what Satan would have us do!
2. But as Easter people, we have a new
beginning!
Things can be better! Past
failures do not have
to be the reality of the future!
3. Paul says, “forgetting what lies behind and
straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on
toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly
call of God in Christ Jesus.”
a. We need to learn the lessons
from the past
but forget those that hold us back!
b. We need to press on toward the call of God
in the future that the resurrection gives
us!
c. If we do, the sky is the limit!
Conclusion:
A. If we have let yesterday's failures haunt us
and keep
us from growing in the Lord, Today is our
chance for a NEW BEGINNING.
B. If we have never become a Christian, today is
our chance to come and make a NEW BEGINNING.
C. God has placed a wonderful future in front of
us; it
is up to us to come and accept God's love
and find our
NEW BEGINNING! Won't you come to God this morning as
we
encounter Christ at the table? If you make a first
time
commitment, let me know so I can help you with
your
new walk in Christ!
D. If we claim God’s new beginning, the best is yet to come for us as individuals and as a church! Thanks be to God!
Prayer of Confession
Service
of Communion
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