1. Dealing Biblically With The Past FALL 2014

2. FOUR BUCKETS

3. WHY DOES BUCKET THREE EVEN EXIST? We still struggle with certain questions: 1.What should I do if I don’t feel forgiven? 2.How should I respond when I keep remembering failures?

4. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise 1.God is a forgiving God Jeremiah 33:8-9 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

5. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise 1.God is a forgiving God 2.Jesus focused on forgiveness even while dying on the cross Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

6. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise 1.God is a forgiving God 2.Jesus focused on forgiveness even while dying on the cross 3.God promises to forgive his children as soon as we come to him in repentance and faith Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

7. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise 1.God is a forgiving God 2.Jesus focused on forgiveness even while dying on the cross 3.God promises to forgive his children as soon as we come to him in repentance and faith 4.Consider the Lord’s Table Matthew 26:27-28 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

8. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past

9. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE A.When you do not feel forgiven, choose to believe God’s promise B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past But am I responsible for what I’m thinking? 1.Ephesians 4:23 Be renewed in the spirit of your minds. 2.1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

10. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past 1.Seek genuine repentance 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

11. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past 1.Seek genuine repentance 2.Do not fear man Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

12. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past 1.Seek genuine repentance 2.Do not fear man 3.Be willing to forsake sin Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

13. EMPTYING BUCKET THREE B.When you continually rehearse your failures, learn not to wallow in the sins of the past 1.Seek genuine repentance 2.Do not fear man 3.Be willing to forsake sin 4.Never lose your awe of God’s forgiving grace 1 Timothy 1:15b-16 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

14. PERSONAL REFLECTION 1.Do you struggle with not feeling forgiven? What are some events from your past for which this is especially true? 2.Is the blood of Christ precious to you? When you happen to think about a past sin, what steps can you take to practice the art of joyful remembrance? 3.Do you ever wallow in your past sins? Why? What should you do now? 4.Consider ways you can make the Lord’s Table a more meaningful experience. How can this contribute to the art of joyful remembrance?

15. Dealing Biblically With The Past FALL 2014

16. FOUR BUCKETS

17. EMPTY BUCKETS  A FOUNTAIN OF JOY 1.A thirsty woman with a sordid past (John 4:4, 9) 2.There is someone she did not yet know (vv. 10, 13-15) 3.There is something about her past she needed to face (v. 16) 4.She had paid the price of misplaced worship (vv. 19-20) Jeremiah 2:13 My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

18. EMPTY BUCKETS  A FOUNTAIN OF JOY 1.A thirsty woman with a sordid past (John 4:4, 9) 2.There is someone she did not yet know (vv. 10, 13-15) 3.There is something about her past she needed to face (v. 16) 4.She had paid the price of misplaced worship (vv. 19-20; Jer 2:13) 5.She met the all-sufficient Messiah (vv. 25-26) Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

19. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A.The joy of finding refuge in the Father Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

20. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A.The joy of finding refuge in the Father B.The joy of seeing Jesus answer your prayers John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

21. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A.The joy of finding refuge in the Father B.The joy of seeing Jesus answer your prayers C.The joy of the Holy Spirit developing his fruit in you Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

22. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED A.The joy of finding refuge in the Father B.The joy of seeing Jesus answer your prayers C.The joy of the Holy Spirit developing his fruit in you D.The joy of experiencing spiritual victory Psalm 20:5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

23. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED A.The joy of learning God’s Word Psalm 119:111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.

24. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED A.The joy of learning God’s Word B.The joy of resolving problems Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

25. JOY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED A.The joy of learning God’s Word B.The joy of resolving problems C.The joy of practicing genuine worship “If we consider the unblushing promises of reward in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

26. PERSONAL REFLECTION 1.List some ways that handling the past poorly robbed you of the joy available in Christ. 2.In what specific ways do you find your joy in Christ? 3.Do you agree that spiritual victory results in joy? What are some of the times you have found this to be true in your own life?