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Freedom From Your Past

November 25, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Exodus 20:6, Exodus 14:13–14, Isaiah 61:3, John 8:36, 1 Timothy 1:12



Freedom From Your Past


Introduction

Everyone has faced negative experiences—mistakes, hurts, betrayals, or trauma—that can imprison us in the past.

But the good news is this: 


Nothing in your past has to stop your future.



 Isaiah 61:3 – God gives beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for despair.


No mistake or hurt is too big for God to redeem.




I. The Power of God's Mercy Over Your Past



 Isaiah 61:3 – "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."



God forgives and cleanses the skeletons in our closet when we come to Him.


Some of you are still in your Past~ 


But God Is waiting for you To be Set Free 100% 

It was done at the cross but you have to Clam it! 


There are things that you have to pull out of~ 

Is God Compassionate?

YES~ 

Is God Long suffering? 

YES

Patient YES 

Forgiving YES 


Jesus was the Friend of sinners, but He didn’t join in their sin. 


Instead, He came to deliver them from sin and bondage, setting them Free

from self-deception, 

destructive misconceptions 

of Gods Moral Law 

and their past.


 His purpose was to bring true freedom and transformation, leading them into a new life in Him. 


John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.


But He delivered you to be delivered 


You know I have Heard It All why some people think it’s ok to deny God’s Principles…


CROSSROADS IN LIFE` 

EVERYONE HAS TO COME TO A CONVERSION EXPERIENCE~

ONCE YOU DO IT’S AMAZING!! 


Paul



1 Tim. 1:12

 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 


15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.


1 Timothy 1:13-14 – Paul reflects on God's mercy despite his past as a persecutor of Christians.


Paul could have been imprisoned by guilt,

 

but Instead, 

he stepped into his destiny, 

writing much of the New Testament.



Are you letting PAST guilt or 

regret 

paralyze you? 


Bring it to God and step into your calling.


You have other influences that are in your life that you and only you can deal with~ 


But you have to be honest and true to yourself~ 


Not what others think 

but What Does God Think~ 


2 Generational Patterns and the Power to Break Free

Exodus 20:6 – God shows love to thousands of generations of those who love Him.


Negative experiences and trauma can be passed down through generations.



Genesis 11:4-9 – a man by the name of Nimrod 

Nimrod, Noah’s great-grandson, 

lived in fear of another flood, despite God’s promise it would never happen again. 


This fear drove him to build the Tower of Babel, 

relying on human effort instead of trusting God. 


Like Nimrod, we can let past traumas—our own or inherited—

shape our actions, 


Building walls of fear that bring disaster and doubt 


Instead of embracing God’s promises.


Studies of Holocaust survivors reveal how trauma can affect generations. 


Even grandchildren of survivors, who live in safety, often struggle with inherited fears and triggers rooted in the past. 


Similarly, 

patterns of fear, insecurity, 

or defeat can be passed down through families, shaping how we see the world. 


But just as trauma and dysfunction can be inherited, 

So can blessings and freedom. 


God calls us to break these cycles and establish new legacies of faith and victory.



The Israelites’ escape from Egypt reflects this. 

Pharaoh

 symbolizing 

The Past, 

Chased them, 


But God parted the Red Sea,

 proving He won’t let the past dictate your future. 

YOUR PAST IS DEAD! 

AT THE CROSS IT WAS CRUCIFIED  


When fear or past hurts try to hold you back, 

remember God’s promise: 


The flood won’t come again, and 

He has made a way forward. 


Don’t build towers of fear or walls of self-protection.


Instead, 

trust in God’s healing, 

step into His promises, 

and build a life rooted in hope, 

faith, and freedom.


Deny yourself and take Up Cross of JESUS~


 Well my dad or my mom struggled with Depression, Addiction, Fear~ 

They weren’t successful…


Generational Trauma Manifests 

as Fears, 

Triggers, and Feelings of Insecurity—


Even When External Conditions Are Safe.



These experiences are not just mental but biological, rooted in DNA.


Well, my dad was or mom was an alcoholic 

They had strong addictions 

Bad eating habits…


NO

You are called to break Generational Strongholds.


Exodus 20:6 

– God shows love to thousands of generations of those who love Him.


2 Corinthians 5:17 – "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come."


Application: 

Refuse to let fear dictate your future. Build a "tower of faith" instead of a tower of fear…


Say I am Going to believe God` 

Choose to Bless the Lord At All Times` 




3 The Enemy's Lies and God's Truth

Exodus 14:13-14 – "The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 

The Lord will fight for you."


The enemy will remind you of your past to paralyze your future.


Past People, Past Teachers, Past Marriage, 

Past Relationships, 

Abusive Parents, 

Abusive Children~ 


Example: 

Pharaoh’s army chasing the Israelites symbolizes the past coming after us.


Exodus 14:13-14 – "The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you."


God doesn’t just part the Red Sea—He drowns the enemy in it.


Let go of the fear of “what if” and trust God to make a way forward.



Application: 

Stop looking over your shoulder; 

Stop looking at who likes you and who doesn’t like you~ 

WHO CARES~ 

They are a lief that fell off a tree 1000 years ago~ 


 Trust God's promise that your past is defeated.



4 Your Past Prepares You for Your Future

Exodus 4:19 – God tells Moses not to fear returning to Egypt because 

"those who wanted to kill you are dead.



Moses’ story of failure and redemption:

Exodus 4:19 – God tells Moses not to fear returning to Egypt because "those who wanted to kill you are dead."



Moses spent 40 years in hiding, but his greatest victories came after he stopped running from his past.~



Nothing you've been through is wasted…


Romans 8:28 – "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him."

God uses your past to equip you for your future calling.


Application: 

Step out of hiding and walk into your God-given purpose.


This is Who I Am` 


Based Fully upon the Finished Work Of The Cross 








5 Renewing Your Mind and Declaring God's Truth

Replace Negative Memories with God’s Promises.


Philippians 3:13-14 – "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.”



Pauls Past Successes were Not Successful before God 

Until he Came To Christ~ 


Declare who God says you are: 


Psalm 139:14 – "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."


The enemy wants you to live as a runaway slave,

 

but God calls you a child of the King.



Romans 8:15 – "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves... rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to Sonship.”



Application:

 Speak life over yourself daily: 

"I am chosen, anointed, and set free by God's grace."



6 Step Into Freedom

Colossians 2:14 –

 "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”


The cross of Christ has dealt with Every 

Hurt, 

Mistake, and Injustice.

Every Sin~

Every Accusations 

Not Just Past But Future ~





Is. 61:7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. 




You Can Not Continue To Walk In Fear~ 


The Red Sea is closed; 


The Pharaohs of your past are gone…


Exodus 15:1 – 

"The Lord has triumphed gloriously; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”


The Horse and the Riders of the Enemy has been thrown into the Sea~ 



God has a Promised Land for you,

 But you must leave behind the fear and shame of your past.


Conclusion

Make the decision today to live free.



Isaiah 43:18-19 – "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”


Declaration:

 Break free from the chains of your past and step into the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name.


Invitation: 


If you’re ready to be free from your past, 

Come to the cross today and receive the freedom Christ offers.




No trauma, 

failure, 

or injustice can stop the purpose God has for you. 


Your past is not your prison—

it is the platform for your future in Christ.


Isaiah 61:3 – God gives beauty for ashes, 

Let Go Of The Ashes~ 


joy for mourning, and praise for despair.