Forgetting What Lies Behind

The sermon opens with a story about two friends, where one is haunted by a poor past and anxious about the future, leaving him unsure what to do with the present. This reflects the common condition of many: imprisoned by the past, fearful of the future, forgetting to live in the present. The sermon emphasizes that while we cannot change circumstances, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can change ourselves to live according to Scripture.

Apostle Paul, despite serving God for nearly 30 years, founding many churches, and writing most of the epistles in the New Testament, still acknowledges he has not reached perfection. This shows that no one has the right to boast of completing the journey with Christ. Paul teaches that the secret is to "forget what lies behind," not to erase memories but to prevent the past from hindering and controlling present living. There are three major chains that the devil uses to imprison people in the past: mistakes, losses, failures and their consequences; achievements of a glorious past now gone; and criticism and contempt from others. The real value of the past is the lessons we can learn to live better in the present, rather than remaining trapped by questions like "if only."

The sermon retells the story "Something By Tolstoi" about Jacob, who loved Lila but was left behind when she decided to pursue a singing career. Jacob buried himself in books out of despair, and when Lila returned years later, he had forgotten everything about her and could not recognize her. This story illustrates how the past can imprison and waste an entire life. Forgetting what lies behind is not erasing memories but consciously deciding to continue living, pursuing what lies ahead rather than remaining stuck in the past.

We typically remember negative things more clearly than positive ones because the influence of the negative is always stronger and more compelling. Psychologists conclude that it takes four or five positive things to balance one negative thing. Therefore, everyone needs to hear words of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Jesus, when appearing to Peter after the resurrection, did not condemn him for three denials but instead asked him three times about his love, then entrusted him with a great task. Through love, forgiveness, and trust, Jesus removed the chains of Peter's past so he could be free to serve faithfully.

The second part of the sermon focuses on "pressing toward what lies ahead, striving toward the goal." Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, yet he could still press forward because his goal was to win the prize of God's calling. The power of concentration is illustrated through a magnifying glass concentrating sunlight into fire, or a laser with special brightness because it concentrates in one direction. Joseph is another example; though sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, he forgot what lay behind and pressed forward, allowing God to use him to save Egypt and his own family. The sermon emphasizes that all who complete the race with Christ are not special or overflowing with grace, but those who rely on God's strength and persevere despite occasional stumbling, failure, or sin, focusing on God's purpose rather than allowing the world's temptations to control their spiritual lives.