You Are NOT Your Past

About this sermon

Keep It Moving | Pastor Ed Newton | Community Bible Church San Antonio Are you stuck looking in the rearview mirror of life? In this powerful message, Pastor Ed Newton preaches from Philippians 3:12-21 and challenges us to stop letting our past define us and start pressing toward everything God has called us to. Whether you're dealing with regret, failure, heartbreak, or just feeling stuck in a season that won't seem to end, this sermon will ignite something deep in your spirit and remind you that God is not done with you yet. Not even close. This message was preached during graduation weekend at Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas — and it's not just for graduates wearing caps and gowns. God is calling ALL of us into a new season, new levels, new dimensions, and new assignments. The tassel is turning. A new chapter is opening. And the Holy Spirit of God wants to speak this over your life right now: Keep It Moving. 4 Keys to Keep It Moving (Philippians 3:12-21): 1. Pursue Christ Relentlessly Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." If anyone had reason to feel spiritually accomplished, it was the Apostle Paul — a man who wrote 75% of the New Testament and received a vision of the third heavens. But even Paul said, I haven't arrived. I'm still pressing. That's the posture God is calling you to. You don't have to be perfect to be pursued by God. You don't have to perform to belong to Him. You were chosen. You were picked. Now press on. 2. Prioritize What Matters Spiritually One thing. Not many things — ONE thing. Paul says, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." That word strain in the Greek literally pictures a runner leaning across a finish line with everything they have. Your past does not define you. Your purpose drives you. Stop staring into the mirror of what was and start driving through the windshield of what God has ahead. Where you look is where you will lean. Where you stare is where you will swerve. Fix your eyes on Jesus and keep moving forward. 3. Pattern Your Life Intentionally Who you follow matters more than you think. What you consume, you conform to. The people God has placed around you in this season are not accidents. The example you need for what a godly man or godly woman looks like may be sitting right next to you. Paul says follow those who follow Christ — and learn from those who don't. You are a role model to somebody whether you know it or not. A child is watching you. A coworker is watching you. A neighbor is watching you. The question isn't whether your life is an example — it's whether that example is drawing people toward Jesus or pushing them away. Pursue Jesus, let His fruit grow in your life, and when you fall short, own it and get back up. That kind of authenticity carries more weight than any performance ever could. 4. Prepare for Your Savior Expectantly Our citizenship is in heaven. We are not just residents of this world — we are ambassadors and diplomats for a King whose name is Jesus. We are an embassy of heaven planted on this earth. And just like you'd prepare your home for company that's coming, we ought to be living lives that are ready for Christ's return. He is coming. That changes how we love, how we lead, how we forgive, and how we keep pressing forward even when the race gets hard. Pastor Ed closes with one of the most powerful illustrations you will hear this year — the story of Chris Nick, the first athlete with Down Syndrome to complete a full Ironman triathlon. 2.4 miles swimming. 112 miles on a bike. 26.2 miles running. And beside him the entire way was his guide Dan, tethered to him by a bungee cord — every stroke, every mile, every step. When Chris fell, Dan was there to pick him up. That is a picture of the Holy Spirit in your life. He is not connected to you by a cord on the outside. He lives inside of you. And He has one assignment — to get you to the finish line and hear your name called with the words: Well done, good and faithful servant. Grace found you where you were. But it refuses to leave you there. This is your season. This is your moment. Keep it moving. To learn more about Community Bible Church, visit http://www.communitybible.com To connect with us socially: Facebook - https://cbc.social/facebook Twitter - https://cbc.social/twitter Instagram - https://cbc.social/instagram Online Church is a ministry of Community Bible Church. We gather at http://OnlineChurch.com and enjoy good music and a message. We have services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We hope you will find a service or several services that work for you and join us at Online Church. To connect with us socially: Facebook - http://facebook.com/cbconline