Looking Back

Various warnings about looking back Lot’s Wife – Genesis 19:15-26 cf. Luke 17:32 Jesus – Luke 9:57-62 Looking Back

Why we sometimes look back To assess impending danger To assess position or progress To view mistakes of the past In historical studies Research our ancestry To review our record To see what is behind us Looking Back

The apostle Paul looked back! He reminded the Corinthians of the mistakes of the Israelites in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-11) Discussed their forefathers Baptized unto Moses To be loyal to the Law of Moses Partook of spiritual meat Manna from heaven – John 6:31 A type of Christ – John 6:48 Drank Spiritual drink Received blessings from God But, they were overthrown in the wilderness Idolatry, lusts, committed fornication, tempted Christ! Written for our example & warning The apostle Paul looked back! Looking Back

The apostle Paul looked back! He looked back at his days as a persecutor Acts 22:4-16 1 Corinthians 15:9 Galatians 1:13-16 He looked back and gloried in his sufferings for Christ 2 Corinthians 11:22-30 He pressed on when he was persecuted Philippians 3:14 Looking Back

should we look back or not look back? Some say never look back! That is right in some instances! But we must look back and reflect! At Who and What? Looking Back

Must look back to the cross of Christ Must look back in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus for us Look at His suffering Acts 17:2, 3 His willingness to be offered Matthew 26:26-29 John 6:35-40 When we break bread we must Look… Back to the benefits of the cross Ephesians 2:13-22 Inwardly at self 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Philippians 3:17-21; Romans 14:17 Forward to the Promise of Heaven 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 21:1-5.23-27 Are we willingly making sacrifices? Must look back to the cross of Christ Looking Back

We must look back at the life of Christ We must contemplate his endurance in sufferings: 1 Peter 2:21-25 Reflect on His compassion for sinners Matthew 14:14 15:32 20:29-34 Do we have such compassion? 1 Peter 3:8 Looking Back

We must look back to his teaching and His word Jesus is the firm foundation on which we must build our hope Matthew 7:24-27 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Peter, James and John were commanded to “hear ye Him” on the mount Matthew 17:1-5 Do we have faith in His Word and obey Him? Romans 10:17 We must look back to his teaching and His word Looking Back

We must look at Our sacrifices as compared to Jesus We must give our bodies as a living sacrifice Romans 12:1-2 Must be Holy as He is Holy! 1 Peter 1:13-16 Colossians 1:21-23 Ephesians 1:3-4 Are we striving to live Holy lives? Looking Back

We must look back at our obedience to his word We are to hear Him John 12:48-50 We must look to Jesus’ example of obedience to the Father Hebrews 5:8-9 How He Humbled Himself to the will of the Father John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-39 Make corrections where needed! Looking Back

Looking back is necessary and needful Look back at your spiritual deficiencies Look back at your study of God’s word Look back your level of support for the church here Look back at your influence It is either good or bad! Look back at your example 1 Timothy 4:12 Is it good or bad? Look back at your service to God with the end in view of being a better servant going forward If you are on the wrong road, change directions! Looking Back

THE LORD WILL LOOK BACK on OUR WORKS On the day of judgment! 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14… 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Looking Back