Remember The Earlier Days Series

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you remember the days when you got born again?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to remember our roots and how we suffer for the sake of the gospel and move on towards GOD's plan for us.

IV. TEXT:

Hebrews 10:32 (New International Version)

10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.

V. THESIS:

Thank You very much, LORD JESUS, for the gift of remembrance You gave me so I can remember the time when I first believed in You and suffered for Your Name's sake, I know I am blessed because You turned their curses into blessings.

VI. TITLE:

Remember the earlier days

Subtitle: Study on the Book of Hebrews

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Date of writing: Before AD. 70

B. Style of writing: Best Greek style

C. Authorship: Not specific, but generally attributed to Apostle Paul. Can be also ascribed to Barnabas, Luke, Apollos

D. Audience: Hebrew Christians

E. Theme: Christ is superior to the prophets; Christ is superior to angels - J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

F. Purpose: The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendent glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

Call to remembrance or "anamimnesko" in Greek meaning:

1. to call to remembrance, to remind, to admonish

2. to remember, to remember and weigh well and consider

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Earlier days after we received the light

"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,"

Illuminated or "photizo" in Greek meaning:

1. to give light, to shine

2. to enlighten, light up, illumine

3. to bring to light, render evident

4. to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge

The common problem of people - both believers and unbelievers is they tend to forget GOD, when they become rich, they say they made their hands rich, that's why Deuteronomy 8:18 was given:

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (The Message)

8:17 If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!"—

8:18 well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.

a. Remember that we begin with the HOLY SPIRIT, and we don't reach perfection depending on the flesh.

Galatians 3:3-4 (Amplified Bible)

3:3 Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?

3:4 Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much all for nothing (to no purpose)—if it really is to no purpose and in vain?

b. Remember what we have already attained, walk and order our lives by these things

Philippians 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

3:16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

c. Persevere and receive back a perfect reward

2 John 1:8 (Amplified Bible)

1:8 Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full].

d. These are works of righteousness an already saved person is doing, not vice-versa

Revelation 2:5 (Amplified Bible)

2:5 Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

e. The rapture will be as thief to those who have not kept the lessons they've learned.

Revelation 3:3 (Amplified Bible)

3:3 So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come.

B. We stood our ground in the face of suffering

"when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering."

Sufferings, afflictions or "pathema" in Greek meaning:

1. that which one suffers or has suffered

2. an enduring, undergoing, suffering

Hebrews 12:4 (Amplified Bible)

12:4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.

Philippians 1:29-30 (Amplified Bible)

1:29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.