How To Let Go of Your Past - Travel Light, Part 5 with Life.Church Pastor Tim Doremus

God Can Change Your Future

Scripture References

Primary text

• Luke 22:60
• Luke 21:35

Other references

• 1 John 1:9
• John 1:12-13
• Philippians 3:12-15

Overview

“Although we can’t change our past, God can change our future.” With that conviction Tim Doremus closed the Travel Light series, showing how Jesus frees us from yesterday’s shame so we can walk into tomorrow’s calling. Peter’s denial and restoration frame the message: Christ meets us in our worst moment, offers complete forgiveness, and re-commissions us for kingdom impact. Our part is simple—close the door on the lies of the past and step through the door of purpose God has opened for 2019.

Main Points

The weight of the past

• Personal blunder: Tim’s “Wow, you’re huge!” comment to his pregnant wife still surfaces 12 years later—proof that the past rarely stays buried.
• Everyday examples: uncontrolled temper, recurring sin (“I won’t…I did”), betrayal of a spouse, unmet life expectations.
• Metaphor: a door we can’t walk back through, yet its bitter winter wind keeps blowing on us.

When shame meets the Savior

• Peter’s triple denial (Luke 22:60) followed by Jesus’ silent look drove home guilt, shame, and regret.
• We have felt that same look from people we disappointed.

Three lies the enemy whispers

1. You are unforgivable—too much damage done.
2. You are unlovable—if people knew, they’d turn away.
3. You are useless—your past disqualifies your future.

• Key warning: If we can’t let go of the past, we can’t take hold of the future God has for us.

Close the door on your past

• Jesus’ restoration of Peter (Luke 21:35): three piercing questions “Do you love Me?”—a deep cleaning, not casual comfort.
• Principle: God cares more about lasting healing than momentary feelings.
• God’s grace is bigger than our sin (1 John 1:9).
• Story: teenage car wrecks and a father’s words—“Pick your chin up…You are my child, and I love you.”
  • Illustration: Being fully known and fully loved changes everything; God says the same to us.
• Identity truths (John 1:12-13): in Christ we are forgiven, loved, and God’s children—relationship outweighs broken rules.

“Although we can’t change our past, God can change our future.”

Step into God’s call for your future

• Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter; He re-commissioned him: “Feed My sheep.”
• God delights in using imperfect people. Qualification is not a perfect past but the presence of Jesus.
• Story: Zack—raised around addiction, became an addict, met Christ in treatment, now sober 3 yrs 11 mos 10 days and leading a Hope Is Alive house; helping others like Michael find freedom.
• Sticky-note challenge: write God’s 2019 call, place it on the door you exit each day—remember you’re stepping into purpose, not just errands.
• Philippians 3:12-15: forget what’s behind, press on toward the heavenly prize.

Key Truths

• God’s grace completely outweighs my greatest sin.
• I am not what I’ve done; I am who God says I am—His forgiven, loved child.
• The enemy’s labels (unforgivable, unlovable, useless) are lies nailed to the cross.
• Jesus heals our past so we can participate in His mission today.
• Imperfect people, filled with Christ, become powerful instruments for kingdom impact.

Response

• Confess past sin and receive God’s total forgiveness.
• Reject every lie that contradicts your forgiven identity.
• Write down and pray over the specific calling God is stirring in you for 2019.
• Walk through each doorway—home, school, work—aware you carry Christ’s purpose there.
• Encourage someone else who feels stuck in shame with the truth you’ve embraced.

Closing

The past is fixed, but the future is open. Jesus stands at the doorway, inviting us to shut the cold wind of regret and step into a story that spotlights His faithfulness, not our failure.

“We can’t change our past, but God can change our future.”

Prayer

The congregation thanked God for forgiveness, asked to focus on Jesus in 2019, and sought courage to live their unique calling so others might see His grace.