Notes:

 

Sometimes we experience things that can cause us great harm, something that we are unwilling to let go.  Some of us have been trapped one time or another in our lives.  Satan can get us in a trap that we cannot let go of.  He is very skilled at getting us in traps.

This is a time of year to let go.

 We need to let go of past burdens

How many times this past year have people offended us?  We all have things that have hurt us.  What happens to us when we are offended?  We become angry and bitter towards that other person. 

Eph. 4:31 → Let us bitter, wrath, etc be put away with you.
 v.32 → Be kind-hearted to one another.

Matt. 6:12 → Forgive us our sins as you have forgiven us.

If we refuse to forgive others

Luke 17:1

If your brother sins and repents, then forgive him.  We have to let go of the sins of our brethren.

Lev. 19:7-8
.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Col. 3:13 → Make allowances for each other’s faults

2.)  We need to let go of our own sinful way.

Baptism is burying our past selfish pursuits.  Are we holding on to any sinful way, this is a question to ask before Passover.

Eph. 4:22 → Put off your former conduct

1 Cor. 5:7 → Purge out old leaven that you may be a new lump.

3.)  Let go of Past Guilt
We struggle with sin all of the time.  After we sin, we fall on our knees to repent.  We need to live a life of repentance.  It starts at baptism, but it doesn’t stop there.  After we repent, what do we do with the guilt?  It is an absolute promise from God that He will forgive us.

Rev. 1:5 → Christ thoroughly washed us of our sins.

If you live in shame and guilt every day, it will destroy your spiritual life.  You cannot be a spiritual failure and saved at the same time.

1 Peter 5:6-7 → Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you.   He cares for us when we sin and not sin.

When we sin, go to Him and cast all of our care upon Him.  We must maintain our faith in that Christ gave His life for us.  Cast everything at the feet of Jesus Christ.  

Psalms 103:10-18→ As far the east to the west, our sins have been removed from us.

God will live in us as long as we keep up our side of the covenant.  

Heb. 9:14 -> Our conscious should be purified, we do not live in guilt and sins of the past.

Heb. 10:16-17 → I will put my Law into the hearts and minds.