How To Get PAST Your PAST, Pt. 1

Philippians 3:12-16; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min.
January 8, 2023

Responsive Reading – Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)
Leader: Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to
make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Congregation: Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I
do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Leader: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus.

Congregation: Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you
think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Everyone: Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

1. You need to realize you are still a WORK in PROGRESS, even after you
accepted Jesus as your Savior (v. 12, 13a)

Philippians 3:12-13 (ESV) – Not that I have already obtained this or am already
perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Obtained –

Perfect –

Philippians 3:12 (MSG) – I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.
But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out
for me.

Romans 7:18-19 (ESV) – For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my
flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I
do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Ephesians 3:8 (ESV) – To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

2. You must CHOOSE to let go of ANYTHING in your PAST that will keep you
from doing your best in the PRESENT (13b)
Philippians 3:13 (ESV) – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But
one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG) – Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count
myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning
us onward—to Jesus. 14 I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

Forgetting –

A. Don’t allow what you HAVEN’T done in the past to keep you from doing
what God wants you to do right now!

B. Don’t allow the BAD you’ve done in the past to keep you from doing what
God wants you to do right now!

C. Don’t allow the GOOD you’ve done in the past to keep you from doing
what God wants you to do right now!

2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) – Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as
coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

3. You must CHOOSE to SHIFT your FOCUS to what’s in front of you (13c)

Philippians 3:13 (ESV) – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But
one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) – Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those
things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus.

Reaching –

1 Peter 1:13-15 (ESV) – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being soberminded,
set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your
former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your
conduct,

Study Questions

1. Do you think people find it easier to remember the negative or positive things
from their past? Explain
2. When it comes to your spiritual life, what have you been working on the longest?
3. Why is it important to realize that, even as a Christian, you are still a work in
progress?
4. What area of your life do you need to work on the most to continue growing in
spiritual maturity?
5. How does the devil use your past to try and hinder you in your spiritual growth?
6. Is it more difficult to become spiritually mature or stay spiritually mature? Explain
7. What do you need to do to not be held back by things from your past?
8. How do you shift your focus from what you’ve done in the past to what’s in front
of you in your present?
9. What’s the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome in the pandemic in order
to jumpstart your spiritual growth?
10. What do you need to do to renew your focus on doing what God has called you
to do?