DON’T LOOK BACK
(Genesis 19:17,
26)
The churches of
Christ Greet You (Romans 16:16)
Introduction:
1. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history
a. to run a mile in less than 4 minutes.
b. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds.
2. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
a. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead.
b. It looked as if he would win,
c. but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question,
d. “Where is Bannister?”
3. As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead.
a. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter,
b. “If I hadn’t looked back, I would
have won!”
Christians
Are Running a Race
1. One of the most descriptive pictures of life in the Bible
a. is of an athlete competing in a RACE (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
b. The Bible also tells us WHERE to look as we run this RACE…
c. Don’t look back --
2. ALL of us can “LOOK BACK”
a. and see mistakes that we have made along the way.
b. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
3. That’s why God sent Jesus.
a. Jesus came and died on the cross
b. so that you and I can be forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).
4. And, He will forgive those who respond to Him in faith:
a. believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31),
b. repenting of sin (Acts 17:30-31),
c. confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10),
d. and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38; 22:16).
5. Once
we have done these things,
a. we should not LOOK BACK and wallow in our PAST failures.
b.
The Bible says:
“Forgetting those things which are behind,”
we should reach “forward to those things which are ahead,
[pressing]
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus”
(Philippians 3:13-14).
6.
Look to JESUS!
a. The Hebrew writer gives this instruction:
b. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us
lay aside every weight, and the SIN which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
7. We are called to follow Jesus faithfully,
a. fixing our eyes on the eternal goal of heaven.
b. You can reach that goal if you will follow
Jesus and “DON'T LOOK BACK!”
The churches of
Christ Greet You
1. Friends, we are glad to present you a church founded by Jesus Christ,
a. bought with His own precious blood, filled with His Spirit,
b. and guided by His unerring counsel.
2. We are hoping, trusting, and praying
a. that you are willing to obey the simple terms of induction,
b. and then trust Jesus for the fulfillment of His every promise.
3. If you understand these terms and are willing to accept them,
a. we are indeed happy to extend to you the precious gospel call,
b. and we trust that you will accept that call,
1) putting your trust in Christ the Savior,
2) sincerely repenting of every sin,
3) publicly acknowledging your faith in Him as being the Son of God,
4) surrendering to the divine ordinance of baptism
5) in the name of the divine Trinity,
6) for the remission of your sins according to Acts 2:38,
7) and live faithfully thereafter to Him.
4. If such you will do, heaven will be your home.
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