Turn the Page | Rev. Andra D. Sparks

Speaker: Pastor Sparks

Text: Philippians 3:12-14

-An optimist stays up past midnight to see the new year come in, the pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves

-Paul wrote this scripture while in prison

1. Everybody Has Errors In Their Past

• There are some things in your life you wish you could press 'backspace' on
• Paul was as religious as they come, but he still messed up!
• The reason I have an imperfect past is because of the junk/sin in my life

2. You Don't Have To Be In Bondage To Our Past

• Some of us stay stuck on the page of our mess ups
• We have bookmarked the page and we keep rereading the same page
• Paul said to forget what is behind and STRAIN towards what's ahead!
• You do not have to be a slave to what's behind you

3. No Matter Your Current Circumstances, You Can Start A New Chapter

• Colonel Sanders was 63 years old when he launched into KFC
• At 43, Circuit Court Judge Helen Shores Lee (first black civil circuit judge in Jefferson county) STARTED law school after a career as a clinical psychologist

4. Change Requires Intentional, Determined Effort

• All of us would get closer if all we had to do was sit & wait with our hands folded; Paul said we have to PRESS!
• You have to actively try to be better!
• We'll press for a ton of other things before we press to get things better with Christ

What do I do to make this relationship better? I HAVE TO BE CONTENT. To do that:

A. I have to turn the page on a casual relationship with Jesus

• No more DIY faith
  • You have to be willing to be taught
  • If you're not being fed, do you have an appetite?
• Stop being a decent devil
  • The kingdom of God does not need any thugs or heavenly hustlers---Christ is supposed to change you!
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • Stop worrying about keeping it real and just BE real!
• Stop acting like someone makes you come to church/work in the church
  • If you're pressing, you ought to WANT to be and do in the church!

B. Turn the page on unforgiveness

• Move on and let it go!
• Some princes come with mud on their boots & know less than you, BUT they know how to love you the way you want to be loved---that's enough!

C. Turn the page on THAT sin

• Whatever your THAT sin is, stop it!
• You have to care more about your reputation!
  • Don't present yourself one way but live another!

D. Turn the page on handling God's money your way

• You don't have to be rich to live well

E. Turn the page on being common

• Common means you're mediocre or of inferior quality; lacking rank or distinction
• Zig Ziglar: A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out 
• We're not in a rut anywhere else in our lives (cars we drive, clothes we wear, techology, etc) but we're ok with an average relationship with Christ

Sermon Notes Courtesy of Deacon Anthony Sparks