“Sinful Census”

• Clearly, dealing with the past is not something new to our generation…

• Rahab’s past was filled with unpleasant memories (Hebrews 11:31), and so was Paul’s, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15), “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1:13).

• In this lesson I want to explore ways in which we can make sure the pain in the past does not destroy our future happiness and the accomplishing of our goals and purposes for being created.

“Sinful Census”

Why Having God Matters• Many people have noted that what makes the

difference in overcoming something is having someone there who believes in them and can be trusted.

• Certainly, in His ever- present, in His infinite knowledge, and in His all-powerful, the most reliable “someone” to have in our corner is God Himself.

• Even David said, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up” (Psalm 27:10).

“Sinful Census”

• “Why does a relationship with God help so many people? I believe the answer is manifold. First, people feel loved and therefore worthy and valuable. Second, religious values and commandments give them direction when they may not ever have been taught morals or about resisting temptations. Temptations, with their immediate gratification, are attractive to people with pain and rage. Third, religious perspective is out-ward-focused, while victimhood is inward-focused” (Bad Childhood, Good Life, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, pp. 13-14).

“Sinful Census”

More Is Possible Than Mere Survival• God desires that our lives be far more than just surviving.

He wants us to flourish, to enjoy life abundantly. • “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through

Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). • In Ephesians chapter 6, the Christian is not pictured as a

refugee, but rather as a soldier, fully clothed in armor and armed to the teeth. In addition, we are pictured as standing firm in the evil day (6:13).

• The book of Revelation repeatedly offers a promise of eternal life to those who “overcome” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7).

• Added to this, Christians were spoken of as having actually overcome evil (1 John 2:13-14).

“Sinful Census”

The Myth of Helplessness• On the one hand, for those who are critical of God

or perceive themselves to be self-sufficient, God reminds them that they have zero power and are, in reality, rather helpless: (Job 38:12,16,18,34-35,39; 39:10,26; 40:10-14).

• On the other hand, for those who are humble and faithful, God reminds us that we have access to tremendous power…

“Sinful Census”

• “Grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence” (Acts 4:29).

• “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31).• “And what is the surpassing greatness of His power

toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19).• “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world”

(1 John 5:4).• “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the

world” (1 John 4:4).

“Sinful Census”

• We can do plenty of things: we can pray, spread the gospel, shine the light, spread the salt, reprove, rebuke and exhort.

• We can preach the whole counsel of God, we can stand firm in the evil day, we can save ourselves, we can remain steadfast, we can refuse to give up, we can keep on overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:21), we can remain holy, we can keep our behavior excellent, we can reach out with compassion, we can keep up the good works, and we can continue to glorify God.

“Sinful Census”

Be Thankful For The Good People• So often we become preoccupied with the wrong

people, the wrong situations and the wrong events.• The world is filled with people who could have

obsessed about something in their past: –Rahab being a prostitute, –Moses failing to deliver Israel the first time, –Abigal in being married to a fool, –Paul being a persecutor of the church,– Peter denying Christ three times, and so on.

“Sinful Census”

• Let us learn to focus on the right people in our lives, that is, the people who have helped us, and the great friends that we presently enjoy.

• Let us likewise dwell on the right events from the past, like our salvation, our baptism, the exciting years of our early Christian growth, and the people we have been able to influence for good.

• I never find God telling anyone that they can refrain from giving thanks, because they have nothing in the past to be thankful for. (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16).

“Sinful Census”

Stop Listening To The Devil• The devil wants us to believe the following:

– You are not worth much: Not true! (Matthew 12:12).– Effort and intent never pay off because life is

never fair: Not true! (Galatians 6:9)–No one could love you. Not true! (Romans 5:8).– You could never be happy. Not true! (Matthew

5:3-12; Philippians 4:4)– You are too far gone or too damaged to get better

or do better. Not true! (John 8:11)

“Sinful Census”

• Avoid This...– “Victim Identity”– “Getting comfortable in misery”– “Unhealthy secondary gains”– Becoming “the center of the universe”– “Seeking love from the devil”

• Do This And Be An Inspiration...• I am impressed with the young man described in Ezekiel

18:14. He makes a conscious effort to do the exact opposite of all the wrong his father did (18:15-17).

• I am equally refreshed by God’s attitude. It is still, as it was then – many expected the son somehow to forever be tied to repeating the sins of the father. God’s vision for us is instead glorious! (18:19-20)

“Sinful Census”

Conclusion

• 13 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those

things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

[Philippians 3:13,14]