Part 4
The Life of Victory Series
Moving Past Your Past
Eph. 2:1-7
Intro: There is not a one of us in here that do not battle the regrets and embarrassment of our past mistakes and sins.
In this passage, Paul is referring to the lifestyle of the church members before they God saved.
Many of you lived a life before you received Christ that haunts you.
Whether it was something you are ashamed of last week, or 20 years ago, we have to get to the point where we MOVE PAST OUR PAST.
If Satan ever gets a foothold in your heart and mind over things done in your past, you will never be able to live the victorious
I. Understanding the Character of Satan
His character is to destroy.
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
His character is to condemn.
His character is to blame.
His character is to accuse.
- Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
His character is to torment.
- 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
II. Understanding the Character of Man
Our character is to fear, to dread, to hide, to feel guilty, to look for an escape.
- Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Our heart accuses us.
- Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
III. Understanding the Character of God
The character of God is love and mercy.
- 2:4 (our text) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
The character of God is not to condemn.
- Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
- John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The character of God is patience.
The character of God is longsuffering.
- Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
The character of God is forgiveness.
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So how do you get past your past?
- Agree with God about your past
- Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
- Accept God’s Forgiveness
You don’t have to keep asking for forgiveness. Once is enough!
- 1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
It is under the blood!
- Abstain from defending your wrongdoing or blaming others
- Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
If you keep defending what you did or what you were, you are not agreeing with God about it.
- Allow God to turn your messes into messages
- I Tim. 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.