Remember ME!
Remember ME • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Do you know how many Christians are oppressed and persecuted in Countries around the world?
How many suffer under governments that they are powerless to change and governments that hate their faith and silence their voices? If they should stand for the cause of Christ, they do so, risking their own lives.
Meanwhile, we have been blessed with the right to VOTE here in the United States of America! With the right to express Biblical principles and values at the polls! With the right to promote, protect, and preserve the truth. With the mandate to be SALT and LIGHT as Jesus presented in His Sermon on the Mount.
And in case you weren’t aware…we are at a critical moment in our Nation. My prayer is that in (2) more days, every follower of Christ who hasn’t already done so will head to the polls to participate in the 2024 presidential election and exercise their DUTY to VOTE!
Why am I telling you this? Because —
In recent survey data from pollster George Barna stated that 41 million born-again Christians and 32 million mainline Christians are not planning to vote in the 2024 election, and many pastors are remaining silent on the issue.
Bill Johnson shared something I thought was interesting —
“We have to own up to the fact that we have a responsibility. In New York in 1964, there were 38 people who watched a woman get raped and murdered, and nobody did anything, and they studied these kind of cases, and they found that there’s what they call a bystander effect, that the more people watch something, the less likely somebody will actually act. It’s when 1 or 2 people see something, that they feel a responsibility to act and do something, but not one person called the police because they thought somebody else would, so we have 32 million believers that all think somebody else will.”
And I would like to add…that’s exactly what the enemy is hoping for, for those who have the hand of God on them to remain silent at such a critical time.
MARTIN LUTHER ~“You are not only responsible for what you say but also for what you do not say.”
And I’m saying, “You are responsible if you do VOTE…and if you should choose not to VOTE.”
But let me ask…
What would have happened if God remained silent?
I’ll tell you what would have happened…nothing, and by that, I mean nothing would have happened, the earth would still be formless and empty. There would be no light, no day and night, no oceans, lakes, or harbors, no sky, no dry ground, no vegetation, no plants and trees, no stars, planets, sun, or moon, no fish, no birds, no animals, and no US.
What would have happened if Moses remained silent?
I’ll tell you what would have happened…the people of God would have never been delivered out of bondage and slavery, they never would have crossed the Red Sea on dry ground only to get to the other side and watch the Egyptian army pursuing them drown as the waters closed over them. They wouldn’t have been at Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, they wouldn’t have eaten manna or drank water flowing from a rock, they wouldn’t have entered into the promised land and received all God had for them.
What would have happened if Esther remained silent?
The people of God would have been slaughtered and destroyed. And the political regime, “all the Nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the royal officials wouldn’t have stepped in to help the Jews.
What would have happened if Ezekiel remained silent?
I’ll tell you what would have happened…A great army would have never been formed, never been filled with the breath of God, and the people of God would have never risen in unity and reformation.
What would have happened if Jesus remained silent?
There would have been no miracles, no disciples following Him, no parables, and no red-letter words in the New Testament. No promises, no teachings, no understanding as to why He even came. No crucifixion, No resurrection, No redemption for mankind.
What would have happened if the early church remained silent?
I’ll tell you what would have happened…the upper room would have been like most of our churches today, quiet and reserved, there would have been nothing to prove the Holy Spirit had come upon them…there would have been no advancements made for the Kingdom, no souls saved, and no knowledge of the truth spreading throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.
What could happen if the church remains silent?
We would step into another (4) years of deep darkness with the likes of which no one has ever seen or heard. We would stand on the brink of a Civil War or even World War III, with more abortions, more sickness and disease, and more governmental overreach and control. We would see more confusion, manipulation, and mutilation for those we are meant to safeguard until they reach the age when they can make more informed decisions for themselves. We would see the moral fabric of our nation torn in two.
Proverbs 31:8-9 says,
Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT)
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
Isaiah 1:17 says
Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
“Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil ways. 17Learn to do good. Seek justice.
Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Ever since we’ve come to know Christ, there have been moments like these, times to remember, here in His presence, regardless of where we have been, what we have done, what we have left undone, whether we have fought and won great battles or suffered a great defeat. The invitation still stands for us to come to the table.
In moments like these we are called upon to remember the words of John the Baptist, in;
Jn. 1:29-34 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, (meaning he didn’t remain silent) “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’
I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.
I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”
32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify (I speak up…I won’t be silent) that he is the Chosen One of God.”
You know it doesn’t matter where you are in your thoughts right now, you may be thinking of all the blessings, the joy, the promotions, financial success, the food, the clothing, the peace-filled moments, the great kiddos…you may have no conflict within or around you, or you may be thinking, man I wish I had half those things, my life is a mess, I just can’t seem to pull it all together, I keep messing up and my life is riddled with chaos, where there is a lack of joy, finances, and success.
As a matter of fact, I’m just struggling to make ends meet, and it seems at times as if things go from bad to worse. Well no matter what side you are on, I’ve got some good news for you to think about this morning…
Jesus has always been and will always be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
And because of that it doesn’t matter where you are in life or what side you are on. How good things may be or how difficult they may be.
Christ is still our only HOPE!
And beloved He is far greater than any election, political party, speech, or debate. He is far greater than your biggest nightmare or even your greatest story. He is far greater than any plague or any cure. Truth is He is far greater than all this world has to offer, and today we are gathered here to remember Him.
LISTEN TO ME!
He is the WORD OF GOD, THE PEACE OF GOD, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, and on this 3rd day of November 2024 we are gathered together in remembrance of Him. And we are called upon for such a time as this to remember Him and allow Him to take hold of us as we stand up on Nov. 5th and exercise our right to VOTE! And we are called upon to remember Him as we kneel in prayer and intercede for His will to be done in our lives, in our church, in our City, in our Nation, and in this election.
Listen to me: we are not called upon to remember which political side we’re on; we are not called to judge the presidential candidates, to somehow pick a side. We are not called to remember their character, ability, achievements, potential, their eloquent speeches, or even lack thereof. We are called to remember the eternal written WORD OF GOD!
And in remembering His Word, it is our duty as Sons and Daughters to get out and VOTE according to the principles and values found within the Word of God!
2Sam. 23:2-4 these are the last words of David
“The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.
The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’
“The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God, 4 is like the light of morning at sunrise, like a morning without clouds, like the gleaming of the sun on new grass after rain.’
Chief Justice John Jay, said, “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, ‘just men who will rule in the fear of God.’ The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this Duty…”
George Washington, said, “It is the duty of nations to… obey His will”
Beloved, there may be some things you don’t like or agree with in both candidates…but don’t let that stop you from speaking out and voting. You see, we have a duty!
To let the Spirit of God speak through us, knowing His words are upon our tongue. Oh, that we could walk away from the ballot box knowing that the God of Israel Spoke. Let us lay aside our personal preferences and choose the one who stands the closest to the principles and values found within the Bible. God knows the one who will rule righteously, who will rule in the fear of God, so listen as He speaks to you.
We are living on the edge of what many believe is the most pivotal election ever! Can you see it? The moral fabric of our nation is being stretched to the point of no return. So I truly hope you feel a responsibility to put a stop to the atrocities of those who have no regard for the Sanctity of human life. To stop those who are promoting gender confusion in our children and are doing it all without parental consent. To put a stop to satan’s agenda, the open borders, and the violence that is running rampant in our nation.
Let the Lord take hold of you in this hour, not to be silent, but to hear what He is saying and boldly declare the Word of the Lord like Ezekiel did. Beloved, I believe if we do that, we will see things start coming together in our Nation.
Much like the people of Israel, there are those who think all hope is gone, our Nation is finished, so why should I vote?
But the Word of the Lord comes and says, there is hope…I will cause you to live again…to rise again…
and the reason is so that many would know that He is Lord!
In V.14 it says, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live again and return home to your own land.” I believe this is all a prophetic view of what’s coming…an end-time, harvest, where many are Born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, and soon the return of the Lord will come to bring us home to our own land.
Now, I know I may have left some of you back there because you think I just went outside the biblical issues and made it political when I mentioned putting a stop to open borders.
But how many of you know your Bible supports the right and necessity of a nation to be secure?
Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city.
There is a place for walls in a nation.
Act 17:26 says, “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries”
From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
In case you didn’t know…God is in favor of borders.
And I know the Bible also speaks of welcoming a stranger, and there is a place for that as well. I think we would all agree that people are welcome to come into our nation in the right and legal way. The expectation communicated in Scripture is that the stranger abides by the laws of the land in which they are entering.
So let me say it again…because we are invited to the Table: and until you understand it’s an invitation that provides relationship and unity, if we will allow it; it’s an invitation that provides peace, if we will allow it; it’s an invitation that offers grace and forgiveness, if we will accept it. It’s an invitation to remember the One who laid down His life for us. It’s an invitation to remember:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
“I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and to the Kingdom of God the Father, and to the filling of the Holy Spirit, that my hands, my heart, my eyes, ears and mind, will be controlled by Him and not by the world. I make this commitment to go where He calls me, walk as He leads me and yield my hopes and ambitions to do His will and extend His Kingdom, for His glory forever. Amen.”
So what are we to do?
What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?
God reminds His people of all He has done for them…in V. 6-7 they say, “What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give Him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?” V. 8 “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of YOU: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Today we remember how He walked upon this earth, taught us how to live and love, healed sickness and disease, mended relationships, offered freedom, and laid down His life.
The Bible says “God’s kindness leads to repentance”…and as we are gathered here today to remember the life of Christ, let us also remember our need for Him, our need for repentance, our need for forgiveness, our need for relationship.
Let us also respond to His invitation to come to the table, because love and humility made a way and is calling us to make it our way!
Please don’t miss what I’m trying to say here this morning…don’t get up from here fearful, anxious, and worrying. The purpose of the message today is for you and I to gain heaven’s perspective on the days in which we are living, understanding that we have a responsibility to SPEAK UP!
LISTEN I KNOW…
LOVE has already won!
It won when Jesus hung on the cross and said, “Father forgive them…
Love won when Jesus looked at a thief on another cross, receiving the judgment and penalty for his actions that he deserved, and said, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.”
Love won when, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead just as He had promised so we never would experience death as separation, but so we as His followers, as His children, could experience everlasting life.
Love won when the gift of the Holy Spirit descended upon early believer gathered in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, and that same Spirit is given to dwell in each of us today.
Love won when we were baptized and sealed by God.
Love already had won when Jesus spoke about bread as His body and wine as His blood to be offered in the greatest single act of love in all history. So, yes, LOVE HAS ALREADY WON!
But don’t let that keep you from VOTING…
Listen because, I’m not talking with you about human love; rather, the lavish, fierce, and unrelenting, pursuing, holy, and perfect love of God for every one of us, here and everywhere, now and forever.
As you prepare to VOTE in the 2024 election, it’s worth reflecting on how our nation’s founding documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, affirm that our rights are endowed by our Creator. Therefore we must consider how candidates align with and respond to biblical principles and values so it can help us discern the potential impact they might have on the future of religious liberty in our nation.
Now is the time for the church to SPEAK up and go on a mission to ensure everyone knows who God is, what He stands for, and why He created the world the way He did, for the door of opportunity will soon be shut.
Consider British statesman Edmund Burke’s statement: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
“While our faith is to be a personal faith, deeply personal, it’s not to remain private or be kept to ourselves. It’s to be shared with others…”
Matthew 5:14-16 - AMP
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].
14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33] 16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
You are SALT and your purpose is to — create thirst, heal, preserve the truth
You are LIGHT don’t hide it…but rather let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and recognize, honor, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
I truly hope you will take advantage of the opportunity God has given you to share Jesus and His values with others—despite how we may feel or think.
My prayer is that God will give you clarity, wisdom, and understanding as you carry out your duty to live out your faith by VOTING this Tuesday!
If you are sitting here right now believing Christians shouldn’t be political…thinking this is a waste of time…that’s as silly as you believing Christians shouldn’t be athletic.
What I’m trying to say is that Scripture is silent on whether Jesus ever played little-league baseball or football so we should let unbelievers dominate baseball and football right?
You and I have a biblical mandate and obligation to engage in this election because we have a biblical responsibility to fight against evil and to exalt righteousness.
With one party supporting everything God hates, the way before us is not blurred or too difficult to discern. We must all engage beloved in the greatest fight for our freedom, for our children, for the unborn, the confused and marginalized.
HERE’S HOW I WANT TO END THIS:
IN A MOMENT WE ARE GOING TO PUT ON A SONG…
AND YOU ARE GOING TO STEP OUT INTO THE CENTER ISLE AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO RECEIVE THE BREAD AND JUICE…
AS WE TOGETHER PARTAKE OF THE MEAL THAT HEALS…
AND IN AS MUCH AS WE ARE BELIEVING FOR PHYSICAL HEALING, WE ARE ALSO BELIEVING FOR SPIRITUAL HEALING…
AND WHEN WE ARE ALL FINISHED I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO COME AND JOIN ME UP HERE IN PRAYING FOR THE HEALING OF OUR NATION…
COMMUNION
We do this in Remembrance of YOU!
and when we get to polls…
We do this in Remembrance of YOU!
GOD TAKE HOLD OF US!
…take hold of the church, your sons and daughters everywhere…
2 CHRON. 7
JER. 1
Here’s what I want to do right now…Right now let’s REMEMBER HIM!
AND WHEN YOU GET TO THE POLLS, REMEMBER HIM!