The opportunity to start over is both a great blessing and a frightening challenge

1
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• It is rare when you get a chance to start over in
  something that matters.

2
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• It is rare when you get a chance to start over in
  something that matters.
• In my golf game I often award myself mulligans.

3
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• It is rare when you get a chance to start over in
  something that matters.
• In my golf game I often award myself mulligans.
• There were teachers who gave a test over when the
  class did poorly.

4
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• It is rare when you get a chance to start over in
  something that matters.
• In my golf game I often award myself mulligans.
• There were teachers who gave a test over when the
  class did poorly.
• I had ball games that were rained out and had to
  be replayed.

5
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• There are things that cannot be changed.

6
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• There are things that cannot be changed.
• Esau learned this through bitter experience.
  (Heb 1216-17)

7
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Hebrews 1216-17 - lest there be any fornicator
  or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel
  of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that
  afterward, when he wanted to inherit the
  blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place
  for repentance, though he sought it diligently
  with tears.

8
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Starting over will only involve things that can
  be changed and things that are under the control
  of your will!

9
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Starting over will only involve things that can
  be changed and things that are under the control
  of your will!
• Sadly, there are Christian parents who look back
  with great regret. (Ex. The twig has been bent.)

10
The opportunity to start over is both a great
blessing and a frightening challenge

• Starting over will only involve things that can
  be changed and things that are under the control
  of your will!
• Sadly, there are Christian parents who look back
  with great regret. (Ex. The twig has been
  bent.)
• Time can make a huge difference. Will you
  carefully consider these things today?

11
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• What God offers us in forgiveness is beyond
  description!

12
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• What God offers us in forgiveness is beyond
  description!
• We are blind men given sight and prisoners freed
  from darkness. (Isa 427)

13
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Isaiah 427 (NKJV) - To open blind eyes, To
  bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who
  sit in darkness from the prison house.

14
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• We are given a new life as a child of God. (Rom
  63-4 2 Cor 517)

15
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Romans 63-4 - Or do you not know that as many of
  us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were
  baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were
  buried with Him through baptism into death, that
  just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
  glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
  in newness of life.

16
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• 2 Corinthians 517 - Therefore, if anyone is in
  Christ, he is a new creation old things have
  passed away behold, all things have become new.

17
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• We can start over at any time. (Rev 2217)

18
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Revelation 2217 (NKJV) - And the Spirit and the
  bride say, Come! And let him who hears say,
  Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever
  desires, let him take the water of life freely.

19
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Many find this hard to believe. (Mt 203-16)

20
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Matthew 203-16 (NKJV) - And he went out about
  the third hour and saw others standing idle in
  the marketplace, 4and said to them, You also go
  into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will
  give you. So they went. 5Again he went out about
  the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.

21
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and
  found others standing idle, and said to them,
  Why have you been standing here idle all day? 7
  They said to him, Because no one hired us. He
  said to them, You also go into the vineyard,
  and whatever is right you will receive.

22
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• 8 So when evening had come, the owner of the
  vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers
  and give them their wages, beginning with the
  last to the first. 9 And when those came who
  were hired about the eleventh hour, they each
  received a denarius. 10 But when the first came,
  they supposed that they would receive more and
  they likewise received each a denarius.

23
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• 11 And when they had received it, they complained
  against the landowner, 12 saying, These last men
  have worked only one hour, and you made them
  equal to us who have borne the burden and the
  heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them
  and said, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did
  you not agree with me for a denarius?

24
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to
  give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is
  it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my
  own things? Or is your eye evil because I am
  good? 16 So the last will be first, and the
  first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

25
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Remember that our God has emphasized this aspect
  of His nature. (Ex 346-7)

26
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Exodus 346-7 - And the Lord passed before him
  and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful
  and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in
  goodness and truth, 7keeping mercy for thousands,
  forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by
  no means clearing the guilty, visiting the
  iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the
  childrens children to the third and the fourth
  generation.

27
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• The example of Zacchaeus and Jesus. (Luke 191-4)

28
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Luke 191-4 - Then Jesus entered and passed
  through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man
  named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector,
  and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus
  was, but could not because of the crowd, for he
  was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and
  climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for
  He was going to pass that way.

29
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Zacchaeus never expected that this day was to be
  one in which he would start over.

30
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Zacchaeus never expected that this day was to be
  one in which he would start over.
• It probably shocked Zacchaeus that Jesus was even
  interested in him. (Luke 195-6)

31
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Luke 195-6 - And when Jesus came to the place,
  He looked up and saw him, and said to him,
  Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I
  must stay at your house. 6 So he made haste and
  came down, and received Him joyfully.

32
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• The worlds thinking about God and sinners was
  expressed by the critics of Jesus. Maybe
  Zacchaeus had accepted this falsehood. (Luke 197)

33
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Luke 197 (NKJV) - But when they saw it, they all
  complained, saying, He has gone to be a guest
  with a man who is a sinner.

34
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Gods way to start over always involves
  repentance. (Luke 198)

35
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Luke 198 (NKJV) - Then Zacchaeus stood and said
  to the Lord, Look, Lord, I give half of my goods
  to the poor and if I have taken anything from
  anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.

36
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• When God offers you a chance to start over, you
  can do it!

37
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• When God offers you a chance to start over, you
  can do it!
• Still, the call of repentance causes most to turn
  away.

38
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Do you really trust God?

39
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Do you really trust God?
• Jesus wants you to know that He is seeing you as
  well! (Luke 199-10)

40
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Luke 199-10 (NKJV) - And Jesus said to him,
  Today salvation has come to this house, because
  he also is a son of Abraham 10 for the Son of
  Man has come to seek and to save that which was
  lost.

41
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Some possible excuses Satan would offer Zacchaeus.

42
The forgiveness of God is an opportunity to start
over

• Some possible excuses Satan would offer
  Zacchaeus.
• I am too evil. I just can not live the
  Christian life. I have gone too far into sin.

43
Christians have opportunities to start over

• We can start well but drift to a point where we
  must start over.

44
Christians have opportunities to start over

• We can start well but drift to a point where we
  must start over.
• The church at Ephesus had a great start but they
  lost something essential. (Rev 22-5)

45
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Revelation 22-5 (NKJV) - I know your works,
  your labor, your patience, and that you cannot
  bear those who are evil. And you have tested
  those who say they are apostles and are not, and
  have found them liars 3 and you have persevered
  and have patience, and have labored for My names
  sake and have not become weary.

46
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Nevertheless I have this against you, that you
  have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore
  from where you have fallen repent and do the
  first works, or else I will come to you quickly
  and remove your lampstand from its placeunless
  you repent.

47
Christians have opportunities to start over

• In many ways this kind of starting over can be
  more difficult than becoming a Christian. (Ex.
  How many fallen Christians in Charlottesville?)

48
Christians have opportunities to start over

• You must renew your conscience, overcome pride,
  and have the courage to change if you are to
  start over. (Ex. Eldership that cannot admit
  mistakes)

49
Christians have opportunities to start over

• You must renew your conscience, overcome pride,
  and have the courage to change if you are to
  start over. (Ex. Eldership that cannot admit
  mistakes)
• It takes a great faith to leave the familiar!

50
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Israel left Egypt, but most of them had no faith.
  (Heb 41-2)

51
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Hebrews 41-2 - Therefore, since a promise
  remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest
  any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For
  indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as
  to them but the word which they heard did not
  profit them, not being mixed with faith in those
  who heard it.

52
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Look at the trivial things they complained about!
  (Num 114-6)

53
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Numbers 114-6 (NKJV) - Now the mixed multitude
  who were among them yielded to intense craving
  so the children of Israel also wept again and
  said Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We
  remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt,
  the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions,
  and the garlic 6 but now our whole being is
  dried up there is nothing at all except this
  manna before our eyes!

54
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Most Christians who will be lost will let things
  like this defeat them.

55
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Most Christians who will be lost will let things
  like this defeat them.
• Where are you right now? What is holding you back
  from fully serving the Lord?

56
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Most Christians who will be lost will let things
  like this defeat them.
• Where are you right now? What is holding you back
  from fully serving the Lord?
• Just as He did with the rich young ruler, Jesus
  right now sees your heart and knows the things
  you must let go of. Will You? (Mk 1021-22)

57
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Mark 1021-22 (NKJV) - Then Jesus, looking at
  him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you
  lack Go your way, sell whatever you have and
  give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
  heaven and come, take up the cross, and follow
  Me. 22 But he was sad at this word, and went
  away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

58
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Ultimately you must be converted again. This
  happened to Peter when once you have turned
  again (NASV) (Lk 2231-32)

59
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Luke 2231-32 (NKJV) - And the Lord said, Simon,
  Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he
  may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for
  you, that your faith should not fail and when
  you have returned to Me, strengthen your
  brethren.

60
Christians have opportunities to start over

• This change is so great that Jesus describes
  Himself as being on the outside looking in. (Rev
  320)

61
Christians have opportunities to start over

• Revelation 320 (NKJV) - Behold, I stand at the
  door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and
  opens the door, I will come in to him and dine
  with him, and he with Me.

62
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Some people start over with some regret,
  temporary change but no change of heart. (2 Cor
  79)

63
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 2 Corinthians 79 (NKJV) - Now I rejoice, not
  that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow
  led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a
  godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us
  in nothing.

64
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• When you are locked in worldly sorrow, you are
  not ready to really change!

65
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• When you are locked in worldly sorrow, you are
  not ready to really change!
• You may have some pain, but you repeat the same
  plans! (Ex. Woman who found her husband had
  cheated and was an alcoholic)

66
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• When you are locked in worldly sorrow, you are
  not ready to really change!
• You may have some pain, but you repeat the same
  plans! (Ex. Woman who found her husband had
  cheated and was an alcoholic)
• A change brought by faith will take enormous
  risks.

67
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Those at Ephesus who wished to repent of belief
  in Magic did not sell their books at a yard sale.
  (Acts 1918-20)

68
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Acts 1918-20 (NKJV) - And many who had believed
  came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also,
  many of those who had practiced magic brought
  their books together and burned them in the sight
  of all. And they counted up the value of them,
  and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
  20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and
  prevailed.

69
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• We have those in churches that give advice that
  do not understand the nature of a real faith.
  (Ex. You do not have to give.)

70
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• We have those in churches that give advice that
  do not understand the nature of a real faith.
  (Ex. You do not have to give.)
• Others will be affected by your decision.

71
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• We have those in churches that give advice that
  do not understand the nature of a real faith.
  (Ex. You do not have to give.)
• Others will be affected by your decision.
• What if Zacchaeus decided that following the Lord
  would be too much of a financial sacrifice?

72
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• We have those in churches that give advice that
  do not understand the nature of a real faith.
  (Ex. You do not have to give.)
• Others will be affected by your decision.
• What if Zacchaeus decided that following the Lord
  would be too much of a financial sacrifice?
• His friends and especially his family would
  likely never know the Lord.

73
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is
  that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke

74
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is
  that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke
• These principles can be applied to other
  Christian duties as well.

75
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is
  that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke
• These principles can be applied to other
  Christian duties as well.
• Our relationship with our mate. (Ephesians
  525-30)

76
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Ephesians 525-30 (NKJV) - Husbands, love your
  wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
  gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify
  and cleanse her with the washing of water by the
  word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a
  glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or
  any such thing, but that she should be holy and
  without blemish.

77
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as
  their own bodies he who loves his wife loves
  himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh,
  but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord
  does the church. 30 For we are members of His
  body, of His flesh and of His bones.

78
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Our efforts to grow as a Christian. (Philippians
  19)

79
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Philippians 19 (NKJV) - And this I pray, that
  your love may abound still more and more in
  knowledge and all discernment,

80
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Our work in reaching the lost. (Luke 1910
  Matthew 2819-20)

81
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Luke 1910 (NKJV) - for the Son of Man has come
  to seek and to save that which was lost.

82
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Matthew 2819-20 (NKJV) - Go therefore and make
  disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
  the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
  Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
  things that I have commanded you and lo, I am
  with you always, even to the end of the age.
  Amen.

83
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Our attitude towards other Christians. (Ephesians
  431-32)

84
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Ephesians 431-32 (NKJV) - Let all bitterness,
  wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
  away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to
  one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
  another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

85
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• You will never regret beginning again.

86
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• You will never regret beginning again.
• After meeting with Jesus he lived a victorious
  life. (Jn 2115-19)

87
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• John 2115-19 (NKJV) - So when they had eaten
  breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son
  of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He
  said to Him, Yes, Lord You know that I love
  You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

88
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 16 He said to him again a second time, Simon,
  son of Jonah, do you love Me? He said to Him,
  Yes, Lord You know that I love You. He said to
  him, Tend My sheep.

89
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of
  Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because
  He said to him the third time, Do you love Me?
  And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things
  You know that I love You. Jesus said to him,
  Feed My sheep.

90
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were
  younger, you girded yourself and walked where you
  wished but when you are old, you will stretch
  out your hands, and another will gird you and
  carry you where you do not wish. 19 This He
  spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify
  God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him,
  Follow Me.

91
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• John 2115-19 (NKJV) - So when they had eaten
  breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son
  of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He
  said to Him, Yes, Lord You know that I love
  You. He said to him, Feed My lambs. 16 He said
  to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonah,
  do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord You
  know that I love You. He said to him, Tend My
  sheep.

92
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of
  Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because
  He said to him the third time, Do you love Me?
  And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things
  You know that I love You. Jesus said to him,
  Feed My sheep.

93
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were
  younger, you girded yourself and walked where you
  wished but when you are old, you will stretch
  out your hands, and another will gird you and
  carry you where you do not wish. 19 This He
  spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify
  God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him,
  Follow Me.

94
The difference between starting over and
duplicating sin

• Do you hear the knock?