Do You Not Remember?

Mark 8:14–21 NKJV

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

Memory Loss

Memory loss is a major problem today that leads to great dysfunction.

Forms of memory loss include:

Aging Brain: Declining intellectual ability (thinking, reasoning, remembering)

Dementia: Pronounced and progressive cognitive deterioration

Alzheimer: Degenerative brain disease of unknown cause

Amnesia: Loss of memory due to brain trauma, shock, fatigue, repression, illness

The Importance of Natural Memory

Memory is essential to everything we do.

Memory is important in learning from the past.

George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

The Importance of Spiritual Memory

Jesus said to His disciples: “Do you not remember?” (Mark 8:18)

Spiritual memory enables us to face and overcome today’s challenges.

Exercise Your Spiritual Memory

Remember what Christ did for you on the Cross!

Remember your life before God saved you!

Remember the consequences of your former sins!

Remember the day Christ saved and changed your life!

Remember from where you have fallen in your devotion to Christ.

Remember those who went before you.

Remember those who are following after you.

Remember the words that were spoken to you.

Remember what God has done for others. (Bible, history, today)

Remember what God has already done for you.

Remember to stir up the gift of God inside you!

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Remember this life is short!

Remember that one day we will all stand before God to give account.

Response to the Word