Sermon on 20 March 2022 by Ps Justin
Introduction
Trusting God in your present will give you power for the future.
Message
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
Focus on your future by trusting God in your present. This is the day that the Lord has made. You cannot change what has happened in the past. Don’t place your focus on yesterday. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will bring its own worries. It is only the ‘now’ when you have the power. God’s plan is perfect. God’s timing is perfect. God’s way is perfect (Isaiah 55:8-9). When you don’t know what to do, stay put. When you know what to do, be bold and take the leap of faith. Walk by faith and have trust in Him. Psalm 46:1-3 tell us He is our fortress and refuge; He is our salvation.
1. Focus on your future – give you hope for today
Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because God has already taken care of it for us. Just live a day at a time. Abide in Him. In order to have hope for today, you cannot live in the past and hold on to past hurt or pain. If you do, the spirit of depression may descend upon you. Do not have fellowship with people who deliberately dig up your past pain. Also do not live in your past success.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:7-8
Letting go of the past will release you into the future. Letting go will refresh you. The apostle Paul let go of his past in which he persecuted the brethren. Give thanks to God that Christ Jesus is in you. Give thanks for whatever situation you are in now. In Philippians 3:12-14, we learn that Paul presses forward for the future. Forgive, forget what is behind, and go towards what is ahead. Forgive one another in order to have hope for the future (Luke 17:3-5; Matthew 6:12).
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” – Luke 17:5
When you need to forgive someone, you need faith. We are to forgive over and over again. The Lord’s prayer tells us to forgive, as God has forgiven us. When you forgive someone, it does not change the past hurt, but it renews you for the future.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:14
Be quick to repent, quick to forgive and quick to believe.
2. Focus on your future – give you hope for tomorrow
Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that His grace is sufficient for us. When we repent, His mercies renew every morning.
3. Focus on your future – give you hope for future
Being still and focusing on Him brings us peace and hope for the future.
Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10
Closing
Today will fold into tomorrow and into the future. Live today right, and you will have power for tomorrow. You will have peace for the future. Do you want a blessed and glorious future? Then today you must live right. What you sow today, is what you will reap in the future.
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