NEVER LET YOUR MEMORIES BE BIGGER THAN YOUR DREAMS

MESSAGE: NEVER LET YOUR MEMORIES BE BIGGER THAN YOUR DREAMS

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14; ISAIAH 43:18

The beginning of a new year is unusual in that, more than any other time of the year, it makes us think and evaluate our lives.

We ask ourselves questions like, “Have I reached my goals? do I need to change something? Can I do better? Are there something’s I need to stop doing?”

However, many Christians have no goals, because they are content with where they are, they feel that they cannot do better or we feel that our best days are behind us.

God is not pleased with such attitude. God is saying to you today, “Don’t let your memories become bigger than your dreams. Don’t let your past be bigger than your future.

God says, “Forget….The past!!”-Isa. 43:18. Let us learn:-

FORGET THE PAST.

Why do people live in the past?

Their past was really good.

• Some of you have had a great life and excellent accomplishments.
• You feel that there is no way your future is good to equal your past, so you settle and you always talk about your past.

Their past was really bad.

• Some of you suffered through tragic event that devastate you or publicly humiliated you. You feel that a positive future is not tenable.

You are older. The fact that your life seems almost over or that you have a serious physical limitations may make you assume that looking to the past is the only option for you.

• But many people have accomplished great things in spite of old age and bad past.

Examples of older people achieving great things.

• At 71 Katsusuke Yanagisawa, a retired Japanese school teacher became the oldest person to climb Mt. Everest.
• At 78, Margaret Ringenberg flew around the world.
• At 75, Cancer survivor Barbara Hillary became the first black woman to reach the North Pole.
• At 77, John Glenn became the oldest person to go into space.
• At 88, Michelangelo designed a massive cathedral.
• At 92, Paul Spangler finished his 14^th
• At 91, Allan Stewart received a law degree from university of New England.
• At 93, P.G Wodenhouse worked on his 97^th Novel and was knighted.
• At 100, Frank Schearer still water, skied regularly.

Biblical heroes at advanced ages.

• Moses led Israel until he was 120 years old.
• John wrote the Book of Revelation at 96 years.
• Abraham offered Isaac at 110 years.
• Anna prophesied over the baby Jesus at 104 years.

They did not let the memories to be bigger than their dreams.

FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE NOT YOUR PAST.

• Memories shape who we are today, dreams shape who we will be tomorrow.
• Memories represent your past dreams expand and shape us into what we can become.
• Memories cannot change your life today, your dreams can.
• You can waste your decades by resting on your past.
• Celebrate your past, but then move on to dream and plan what you will do for Christ in the future.

PAUL’S VIEW IS THE BEST-Phil. 3:12-14

• Paul’s memories were not very good, he had persecuted the church.
• By this time, Paul had already done 3 missionary journeys.
• He had already brought revival to most of the Roman world.
• He had already stood before slaves and emperors alike.
• He had been terribly persecuted and suffered.
• But see what he had accomplished and what his dreams were.

BEGIN TO LIVE THE DREAM!

1. Leave some things behind.
2. Leave your resentments, bitterness behind.

• Some people have mistreated you.
• Others have hurt you.
• The unforgiving heart continues to live in the past.
• We cannot erase our past memories but we can forgive the offence.

2. Leave your worries behind.

• Worries are like rocking chairs, they give you something to do but they take you nowhere.
• Habitual worry is life controlling and damages our health and relationships-give it up!

3. Leave your failures behind.

• God is a God of new beginnings.

4. Leave your guilt behind.

• Jesus Christ is your hope of glory, He is the key to God’s glorious future for you.
• Take the hand of Jesus and walk into a new future.

Seize the opportunities.

• Every New Year gives us new opportunities to work for God, to advance the kingdom of God, to win souls, to move the church into revival.
• There are five goals to set for yourself for 2023.

1. Determine to be a better witness for Christ.
2. Develop a Christ like nature through the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
3. Gain the knowledge of God, memorize His word, pray.
4. There are 7 things you could do every day.

• Focus on Jesus Christ.
• Stop gossiping-always say good things about people.
• Give one complement a day.
• Do random acts of kindness.
• Volunteer to help people.
• Be thankful every day.
• Call a lonely friend.

CONCLUSION

• Be thankful, pray without ceasing, rejoice evermore.
• Happy, thankful, prayerful, rejoicing-year 2023 Amen.