Remember

Romans 5:1–8 NIV84

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1. The importance of Remembering

Deuteronomy 8:2 “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.”

A. Learn from the past

1 Corinthians 10:11 “11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”

B. Remember our blessings

Psalm 103:2 “2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—”

C. Remember to live the life God gave you

Ecclesiastes 12:1 “1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—”

2. Remember the Sacrifice of those who Served

A. Imitate their sacrifices

Abel’s offering

Hebrews 11:4 “4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”

Noah’s obedience

Hebrews 11:7 “7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Abraham’s faith

Hebrews 11:8 “8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

B. God does not forget your Sacrifice

Hebrews 6:10 “10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

C. Live a life of gratitude

Ephesians 5:20 “20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

3. Remember the Cost of Freedom

A. The Price of Freedom is our Service

Galatians 5:13 “13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

B. The Place of Freedom is in Christ

2 Corinthians 3:17 “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

C. The Practice of Freedom is Servitude to God

1 Peter 2:16 “16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

4. Remembering brings Hope for the Future

A. A Future Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

B. Hope of future Breakthroughs

Joshua 4:20–24 “20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.””

C. Hope of Eternity with God

John 3:16): "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Sub-point 2.2: Standing Firm

Ephesians 6:13 “13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Sub-point 2.3: The Righteous are as Bold as a Lion

Proverbs 28:1 “1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”