LEAVING THE LAND OF IF ONLY

Leaving the Land of "If Only"

Escaping the Pain of Regret

CONNECT

The story of John Anderson...

TEXT Ezra 3:7-13

Ray Stedman - Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever come back to God after a time of coldness and withdrawal---a captive of sin's power---with a great sense of joy as the foundations of fellowship were re-laid by the Spirit? Yet also with regret for the lost and wasted years? Tears of joy mingled with tears of sorrow.

TENSION

The pain of regret over past bad choices limiting your life's potential...

SOLUTION

Let God overcome your past mistakes and give you a full present and glorious future!

INSTRUCTION

Living in the Land of "If Only"...

1.     Smaller Temple

2.     No Ark, no Mercy Seat

3.     No glory

4.     It was their fault!

5.     How did they deal with it?

a.     They quit!

INSPIRATION

The Church in Peaster and John Anderson

ACTION STEPS

Haggai 2:1-9

Leaving the Land of "If Only"...

1.     Take inventory

a.     What is true today?

                                                                 i.     Your fault?

                                                               ii.     Not your fault?

2.     Change your focus

a.     From regret to faith

b.     Be strong!

c.     Courageous, no fear

3.     Get to work

a.     Zechariah 4:10

b.     "I am with you!"

4.     The best is yet to come!

Illustrated by Paul in Philippians 3:12-14

1.     Take inventory

2.     Change your focus

                                               i.     Forget the past

                                             ii.     Look to the future

3.     Get to work

                                               i.     Press on to the end!

b.     The best is yet to come!

HASHTAG #nomoreregrets

INVITATION - MINISTRY TIME

"Come to the Altar"

COMMUNION