TOPIC:

HAUNTED BY YOUR PAST?

RCCG IOPEN HEAVENS AND FDTEB MSG JUNE 27th JUNE 2015

Memorize:

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:11

Read:

Romans 8:1-3

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Message:

Some Christians allow their past to haunt them so badly that they have no confidence in their heritage as children of God. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is an example of someone who did not allow his past to haunt him or prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. He gave the following testimony about himself in Galatians 1:15-17:

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb,

and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus."

One noticeable reason why the past haunts some children of God is their lack of knowledge and understanding of the word of God. It is necessary for every child of God to possess very sound knowledge of who they are in Christ through God's word. As revealed in our Bible reading, any individual who is born-again is free from every form of condemnation of past sins. The past should therefore not torment you if the reality of this scripture has been received in your spirit. Let us look at this passage very closely and learn one or two truths about our new life in Christ.

Before you can escape the evils of your past life, the first thing you should ascertain is whether or not you are indeed in Christ, because some people are in Church but not in Christ. The evidence of a life in Christ is outlined in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

This new life is not by our power but by the power in the Blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ. The Bible says the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).

Part of the cardinal truths distinguishing the Christian faith from all other faiths is the grace which brings salvation to us without imputing our past sins, and the power given to us to live above those past sins. Beloved, if you are still struggling with your past life of sin, you need to check your background. Are you genuinely born-again? If yes, are you still living your past life? If not, your past will not haunt you again. Demolish the bridge that links you with the past and be free.

Action point

Cut away from activities, friends and habits of the past, so that you can be free indeed.



3 REASONS WHY YOU MUST NEED JESUS
Jesus loves you! he desires to have a relationship with you, and to give you a life full of joy and purpose.

why do you need him in your life?

1. Because you have a past.
you cant go back, but he can. The Bible says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever"
(Hebrews 13:. He can walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the state clean and give you a new beginning.

2. Because you need a friend.
Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. why? Because he sees you not as you are, but as you
will be when he gets through with you. what a friend?

3. Because he holds the future.
Who else are you going to trust? in his hands you are safe and secure today,
tomorrow, and for eternity. his word says," for I know the plans I have for you...plans for good
and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. in those days when you pray I will listen"
(Jeremiah 29:11-13 TLB)



If you'd like to begin a personal relationship with Jesus today, please pray
this prayer.

"Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life, I believe you died for me, and that your blood
pays for my sins and provides me with the gift of eternal life, by faith I receive
that gift and i acknowledge you as my Lord and savior Amen".

Dear Lord Jesus, i give my life to you as my Lord and savior so that my joy will be full. Lord Jesus, i dedicate my soul, spirit and body to you, I know you have delivered and saved me. Amen."