AUGUST 12th, 2001
PRAY .......
PEOPLE GOING THROUGH TIMES OF DIFFICULTY OR UNCERTAINTY FACE A COMMON DANGER …..
-THE DANGER OF FORGETTING ABOUT GOD ! ! !
SO, TODAY’S MESSAGE IS INTENDED TO STIR OUR MEMORIES
-WE ALL PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS DESIGNED TO INSURE THAT WE DON’T FORGET CERTAIN THINGS .......
-THEY’RE CALLED HOLIDAYS ! ! !
-4th OF JULY COMMEMORATES THE FREEDOM WE ALL ENJOY
-THANKSGIVING REMINDS US OF THE KINDNESS OF THE INDIANS
-MOTHER’S DAY AND FATHER’S DAY HONORS OUR PARENTS
-MEMORIAL DAY INSURES WE DON’T FORGET THOSE WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY
-ALL OF THESE HOLIDAYS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE US STOP AND REMEMBER IMPORTANT PEOPLE, EVENTS OR BLESSINGS ! ! !
IT’S IMPORTANT TO GOD THAT HIS PEOPLE REMEMBER CERTAIN THINGS TOO .......
IF YOU’LL TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THE BIBLE IS FULL OF EXHORTATIONS TO REMEMBER SPECIFIC THINGS .....
-ALL THROUGH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT CERTAIN THINGS WERE DONE AND CERTAIN STEPS WERE TAKEN TO INSURE THAT GOD’S PEOPLE WOULD REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISES, GOD’S MIRACLES OR CERTAIN EVENTS FROM THEIR PAST ....
-GOD KNEW THAT BY REMEMBERING THEIR PAST, THEY WOULD BE BETTER EQUIPPED FOR THEIR FUTURE ! ! !
-SO WE FIND FEASTS AND CELEBRATIONS INSERTED INTO THE JEWISH CALENDAR
-WE FIND MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS BEING BUILT IN BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT ...
-ALL DESIGNED BY GOD TO INSURE WE REMEMBER CERTAIN THINGS ! ! !
GOD’S DELIVERANCE ..... PASSOVER
Exod 12:14
14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD-- a lasting ordinance.
GOD’S PROVISIONS ... SO MANNA WAS KEPT IN THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
Exod 16:32
32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: ’Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’"
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS ... MONUMENT OF ROCKS AS THEY CROSSED THE JORDAN RIVER
Josh 4:5-7
5 "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites,
6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ’What do these stones mean?’
7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
GOD’S LOVE AND SACRIFICE ... COMMUNION
Luke 22:19
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GOD THAT WE REMEMBER ?
-IT’S FOR OUR OWN GOOD ! ! !
-IF WE FORGET THE THINGS OF THE PAST, THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO THE ISRAELITES WILL HAPPEN TO US .....
-Neh 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and rebellious ....
THAT’S WHY PETER WROTE .......
2 Pet 3:1
1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
-THAT’S MY GOAL FOR TODAY’S MESSAGE
-TO REMIND YOU OF THINGS YOU ALREADY KNOW, BUT SOMETIMES FORGET
-TO STIMULATE US ALL TO WHOLESOME THINKING
AND I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU THE WAY PETER CHALLENGED HIS FRIENDS .....
2 Pet 1:12-15
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
-IF YOU FAIL TO REMEMBER ….. I HAVE FAILED ! ! !
SO TODAY I’M GOING TO REMIND YOU OF SOME THINGS THE BIBLE SAYS TO REMEMBER
1. WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO LOOK BACK AT THE GOOD OLD DAYS .......
-WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE LOT’S WIFE AND WANT TO LOOK BACK …..
-WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WIDE ROAD OR THE EASY WAY …..
-WHEN YOU WANT TO THROW OFF THE RESTRAINTS CHRISTIANITY DEMANDS …..
-WHEN YOU WANT TO BE AND ACT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE …..
Deut 32:7
7 Remember the days of old .....
REMEMBER YOUR FORMER DAYS
-BUT REMEMBER THEM ACCURATELY ! ! !
-THOSE DAYS NEVER SATISFIED YOUR SOUL ! ! !
1 Cor 13:6
6 Love does not delight in evil.
-DON’T LIVE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ! ! !
2. WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN “PLAY” WITH TEMPTATIONS .......
-TEMPTATIONS THAT PROMISE SO MUCH AND DELIVER SO LITTLE …..
-TEMPTATIONS THAT LOOK SO APPEALING …..
-TEMPTATIONS THAT SEEM SO HARMLESS …..
Deut 5:15
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
REMEMBER YOUR PAST BONDAGE TO SIN
3. WHEN YOU START TO QUESTION GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU .......
Eph 2:12-13
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
REMEMBER YOU WERE ONCE SEPARATED FROM GOD AND REMEMBER THE PRICE GOD PAID TO RESTORE YOU TO HIMSELF
4. WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF ENJOYING LIFE’S BLESSINGS .....
Deut 6:10-12
10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-- a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build,
11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-- then when you eat and are satisfied,
12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
-DIFFICULTIES OFTEN DRIVE US TO GOD
-PROSPERITY OFTEN DRIVES US AWAY FROM GOD
-FOR EVERY 100 PEOPLE WHO CAN HANDLE ADVERSITY
-ONLY 1 CAN HANDLE PROSPERITY
REMEMBER GOD WHEN YOU’RE ENJOYING LIFE’S BLESSINGS
5. WHEN YOU START WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE .......
Deut 8:2-6
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.
-WHEN THE FUTURE CAUSES FEAR OR WORRY OR DOUBT …..
REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO PROVIDE FOR YOU IN THE PAST
-HE HAS FAITHFULLY LED YOU
-HE HAS FAITHFULLY PROTECTED YOU
-HE HAS FAITHFULLY PROVIDED FOR YOU
6. WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES START TO LOOK IMPOSSIBLE AND YOU BECOME DESPERATE
1 Chr 16:11-12
11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
REMEMBER GOD’S MIRACLES IN THE PAST
-WHETHER IT’S A …..
-RELATIONSHIP TO BE RESTORED
-PASSION TO BE RENEWED
-PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED
-NEED TO BE MET
-GOD IS ABLE ! ! !
-WHEN YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR FUTURE ….
-REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN YOUR PAST !
-DON’T ALLOW FAITH TO BE OVERSHADOWED BY DESPERATION
-GOD CAN BE TRUSTED ! ! !
7. WHEN SERVING JESUS STARTS TO BECOME ROUTINE OR BORING OR BURDENSOME ....
Heb 10:32-37
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.
33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.
34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.
REMEMBER THE ZEAL OF OUR EARLY DAYS OF LOVING JESUS
-TRY TO RECAPTURE THOSE THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES
Rev 2:2-5 (CHURCH OF EPHESUS)
2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first ……
-REMEMBER ….. REPENT ….. RETURN
-HE’S NOT SAYING TO FEEL THE SAME FEELINGS ! ! !
8. WHEN YOU ARE HURT OR OFFENDED BY SOMEONE ELSE …..
Gen 31:50
50 remember that God is a witness between you and me."
-GOD CARES ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER
-GOD TELLS US TO FORGIVE OTHERS …..
-HE TELLS US TO LOVE AND SERVE EACH OTHER
-TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER
MOST OF WHAT WE’RE TOLD TO REMEMBER IS TO IN THE PRESENT ........
-BUT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE NEED TO REMEMBER FOR THE FUTURE .......
-THINGS THAT SHOULD AFFECT WHAT WE DO FROM HERE ON OUT ! ! !
9. 2 Cor 9:6
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
FINANCES ….. TIME ….. PRAYER ….. LOVE ….. SERVICE …..
10. James 5:20
20 Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
EVANGELISM
11. Jude 1:17
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
EVENTS THAT ARE COMING SOON SHOULD DETERMINE HOW WE LIVE
ONE LAST THING …....
-MEMORIALS OR MONUMENTS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WERE CALLED “PILLARS” …..
-PILLARS RISE ABOVE THE HORIZON
-THEY STAND OUT AND ARE NOTICED
-THEY DISPLAY SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEMSELVES
Jer 1:18
18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land …..
-GOD WANTS THE WORLD TO REMEMBER HIM ! ! ! ! !
-HE HAS CHOSEN TO USE US AS HIS “PILLARS” OR “MEMORIALS” ! ! ! ! !
-PEOPLE WHO DISPLAY JESUS
-PEOPLE WHO WOULD REMIND OTHERS OF WHAT HE IS LIKE
-PEOPLE WHO STAND OUT AND ARE NOTICED
-SO ….... BE DETERMINED TO REMEMBER THESE THINGS ! ! ! ! !
1 PET. 2 WAS WRITTEN TO ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO SACRIFICES FOR CHRIST
-IN THAT CONTEXT, PETER SPEAKS OF CHRISTIANS AS “LIVING STONES” BEING BUILT INTO A “SPIRITUAL TEMPLE” ….. THE BODY OF CHRIST ! ! !
-THAT IMAGE WOULD CAUSE EVERYONE WHO READ PETER’S LETTER TO THINK ABOUT SOLOMON’S TEMPLE …..
IN BUILDING THAT TEMPLE THE ARCHITECTS CALCULATED EVERY STONE NEEDED
-THEY PLANNED FOR EACH STONE TO BE CUT INDIVIDUALLY
-80,000 STONE CUTTERS SPENT YEARS IN THE QUARRY, CUTTING AND POLISHING EVERY STONE JUST AS THE ARCHITECTS HAD PLANNED
-WHEN FINISHED, EACH STONE WAS BROUGHT TO THE BUILDING SITE …..
I king 6:7
7 In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.
ALL THE SAINTS OF ALL THE AGES “(LIVING STONES”) ONE DAY ARE GOING TO BE BUILT INTO A HEAVENLY TEMPLE WHERE GOD WILL BE WORSHIPPED FOR ETERNITY ! ! !
WE WILL ALL BE ASSEMBLED BY THE “MASTER BUILDER” IN HEAVEN ONE DAY …..
-THERE YOU WILL HEAR NO NOISE OF THE CHISEL OR HAMMER
-THAT WORK WILL HAVE BEEN DONE SOMEWHERE ELSE …
-IN A ‘QUARRY” CALLED EARTH
-OUR LIFE NOW IS BEING SPENT IN GOD’S “QUARRY” SO WE WILL BE FIT FOR GOD’S “HEAVENLY TEMPLE”
-THE “HAMMERS” AND “CHISELS GOD USES TO PREPARE US ARE …..
-OTHER PEOPLE
-DIFFICULT PEOPLE
-PEOPLE TO SERVE
-PEOPLE TO LOVE
-TIMES OF DIFFICULTIES
-DISAPPOINTMENTS OF LIFE
-CHALLENGES THAT LIFE THROW AT US
-TIMES TO SACRIFICE
-TIMES TO SERVE
-TIMES TO TRUST
-TIMES TO OBEY
GOD GAVE US AN ETERNAL RECORD OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED AND FOLLOWED HIM WITH THEIR WHOLE HEARTS …..
-MANY SUFFERED
-ALL SACRIFICED
-SOME DIED FOR THEIR FAITH
-GOD WANTS US TO REMEMBER THEM THIS MORNING…..
-BUT MORE THAN REMEMBER
-HE WANTS US TO BE INSPIRED BY THEM
-HE WANTS US TO HONOR OUR SPIRITUAL PREDECESSORS BY FOLLOWING THEIR EXAMPLE
Ecclesiastes 12:1
1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come
-DAYS OF TROUBLE AWAIT US ALL …
-BUT SO DO GOD’S PROMISES ! ! !
-REMEMBER THOSE PROMISES TODAY, BEFORE TROUBLE COMES
AND MORE THAN REMEMBER, TRUST GOD TO FULFILL EVERY PROMISE HE EVER MADE
-IT’S DIFFICULT SOMETIMES
-SOMETIMES WE FEEL LIKE GIVING UP
-BUT REMEMBER WHAT PAUL TAUGHT US AFTER HE SPENT HIS LIFE FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST ….
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TODAY
-WHEN YOU FACE TEMPTATIONS OR DISAPPOINTMENTS THIS WEEK
-WHEN TRIALS OR DIFFICULTIES COME
-WHEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE FUTURE CAUSES FEAR OR DOUBT
-REMEMBER THAT GOD IS ABLE AND GOD IS FAITHFUL ! !
2 Timothy 1:12
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
