How Will You Be Remembered?

How will you be Remembered?

2 Peter 1:12-15, 3:8-9

DO NOT FORGET THIS ONE THING. We humans forget more than one thing. We forget many things. But Peter is saying, “Don’t forget the Lord and don’t forget that the Lord’s view of time is different than ours. He is not limited by time as we are. Don’t forget that God is faithful. He will do what He says He will do.”

We human beings are forgetful about many things. I’m so forgetful at time that I can hide my own Easter eggs. Sometimes we forget God. We do forget what His Word says. We do forget what we heard in church last Sunday.

Did you hear about the three old men who were talking one afternoon about how forgetful they were getting? The first one said, "Sometimes I get undressed to get into the shower, and suddenly I can’t remember if I’m getting in or getting out."

The second one said, "Well, sometimes I’ll find myself on the stairs, and I don’t remember if I’m going up or coming down."

The third old man said, "Well, so far I haven’t had any of that kind of trouble. I guess I’ll just knock on wood and hope that what is happening to you guys doesn’t happen to me." So he rapped his knuckles on the arm of his wooden rocking chair, and then he said, "I wonder who that is?"

Forgetfulness. We all experience it and it seems to get worse with age. Senior moments, they call them. Some things need to be forgotten but can’t seem to be erased from the memory. Other things need to be remembered but escape easily. And Memorial Day is a day that set aside to remember.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, then president of the Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to “decorate with flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” After World War I the day was set aside to honor all of the American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian.

We set this day aside as a Memorial to remember and honor those who have given their lives in the service of this country. We have freedom today because of brave soldiers who didn’t mind dying for a Country they loved.

And although I do know of men and woman who have fought and served this country; I personally do not know of any who have died by doing so. So on Memorial Day I take time to reflect on loved ones who have passed on.

I think of family, an uncle who was a preacher who passed on. I think about Grand Parents on both sides of the family. One Grandpa who would sit for hours on a swing on the front porch and whistle as he would sit there and rolled his own cigarettes. Another Grandpa, who was a preacher, and I remember how he was a big practical joker. I remember how one time he killed a snake and culled it up in the cellar so when Grandma went to retrieve some canned goods; she almost had an early departure by having been scared to death. I have lost Aunts and cousins. I remember family and things about each one.

I think about friends, my best friend Chris who cancer took out several years ago at the age of 35. How much fun we used to have camping out and stuff.

The thing about it is when I think about people who have left this world, there is always something that pops in my mind that we shared while they were here.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”.

So we all will die someday. So how will you be remembered? What will people think about when they think of you? What will people say about you after you are gone. Let me share with you this morning some things we need to remember now so that we will be remembered in a good way when you are gone.

Remember how you treat others

Now despite what you might think, “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you” is not found in the Bible. But it does say in Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;”

But you will find in 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.