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Looking Back. Lot’s Wife – Genesis 19:15-26 Jesus – Luke 9:57-62. Various warnings about looking back. To assess impending danger To assess position and/or progress To view mistakes of the past In historical studies Research of our ancestry To review our record To see what is behind us.
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Lot’s Wife – Genesis 19:15-26 • Jesus – Luke 9:57-62 Various warnings about looking back
To assess impending danger • To assess position and/or progress • To view mistakes of the past • In historical studies • Research of our ancestry • To review our record • To see what is behind us Why we sometimes look 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 – Jn. 6:31 • A type of Christ – Jn. 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 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 11:22-28 • He pressed on when he was persecuted • Philippians 3:14 The apostle Paul looked back!
Some say never look back! • That is right in some instances! • But we must look back and reflect! At Who and What? should we look back or not look back?
Must look back in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus for us • Look at His suffering • Acts 17:3 • His willingness to be offered • Matthew 26:26-29 • Luke 22:15-20 • Are we willingly making sacrifices? Must look back to the cross 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 • 20:33-34 • Do we have such compassion? • 1 Peter 3:8 We must look back at the life of Christ
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
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 1:21-22 • Ephesians 1:3-4 • Are we striving to live Holy lives? We must look at Our sacrifices as compared to Jesus
We are to hear Him • We must look to Jesus’ example of obedience to the Father • Hebrews 5:8-9 • Humbled Himself to the will of the Father • John 4:34 • 5:30 • 6:38-39 • Make corrections where necessary! We must look back at our obedience to his word
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 in 2012 with the end in view of being a better servant going forward as we enter 2013! • If you are on the wrong road, change directions! Looking back is necessary and needful
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. THE LORD WILL LOOK BACK on OUR WORKS On the day of judgment!