1. Looking Back

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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:
Are we willingly making sacrifices?
Must look back to the cross of Christ
Looking Back

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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