Don’t Live in the Past
Pastor Wayne Grace · October 3, 2026 50th Homecoming Celebration Introduction: Celebrate the past, but keep moving forward As Shelby Street celebrates fifty years, Pastor Grace reflects on the church’s beginnings and God’s faithfulness. But remembering yesterday must not replace walking with God today. Paul could look back on a faithfully completed race and look forward to the reward ahead. The God we serve is not merely the God of the past—He is the God of the present and the future.
Read 2 Timothy 4:7–8 in the KJV- 01
Leave the past behind and press forward
- Thank God for past blessings, but do not try to live entirely on yesterday’s experiences.
- Do not allow old hurts or disappointments to keep you looking backward.
- Yesterday cannot be changed. Like Paul, keep your attention on the calling and reward ahead in Christ.
Scriptures: Philippians 3:13–14.
- 02
Respond to God today
- Now is the time to receive salvation and begin serving the Lord. Do not keep postponing your response.
- Set your affection on heavenly things rather than allowing earthly pleasures and possessions to become your purpose.
- Saul’s transformation into Paul shows that God can change a person’s life. Your past does not have to determine your future.
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6:2, Colossians 3:2.
- 03
Keep running the race and standing in the battle
- Run with the intention of finishing faithfully—not simply remembering how well you once started.
- Trials and opposition do not change the eternal goal. Continue with patience, trusting God through the difficulties.
- Put on God’s armour and stand firm. Physical aging or slowing down must not mean abandoning your walk with the Lord.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 6:13–14.
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Trust the unchanging God with your future
- God was faithful yesterday, is present today, and can be trusted with tomorrow.
- His presence does not remove every hardship, but He remains faithful through sorrow, uncertainty, and joy.
- Keep your hope in Christ’s return and the reward He has promised—not in the temporary things of this world.
Scriptures: Hebrews 13:8, 2 Timothy 4:8.
- 05
Closing challenge: Are you still in the race?
Examine your walk with God. Are you still running, still standing, and still responding to His voice?
If you have not begun serving Christ, begin today. If you are already following Him, keep moving forward and share what He has given you with others.
Thank God for the past, serve Him in the present, and trust Him with the future. Praise Him for who He is—not only for what He has done.