Memorial Day 07
Memorial Day 07; nv (2 Peter 1:3-11)
OS: 1 Gettysburg Address – Abraham Lincoln November 19, 1863 / (Lincoln followed a 2 hr. speech by one of the great speakers of their day)Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.--------The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; TS] Why is this remembered? These words speak a truth that we all know deep down inside. A memorial is more than a ceremony or piece of stone bearing an inscription.I. A memorial brings to mind and validates an investment event - Cause for Action, motivates, inspires, challenges – intended to make us do something. A. truth – 2 What we presently remember of the past will affect what we do in the future.B. We struggle with short term memory loss – “We must never forget” is heard often concerning September 11, 2001 and our continuing war against the terrorist of our world. II. Without established memorials we would quickly forget and our future would be darkened.A. Lord’s Supper – So that we never forget … 1. Not only the price paid and our the devotion that inspires within us 2. Also, that we never forget the awesome power of God demonstrated in raising Jesus from the grave.B. Key Principle: When you struggle be sure to look back before you try and plan a better future. 1. Most of our problems stem from forgetfulness – (marriage – forget those things that brought us to the alter to make those vows;) 2. Spiritual struggles – “Remember” is the call to Gentile recipients of Ephesians – (2:11-12 – remember formerly called uncircumcised; separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel; without hope; without God) 3. Revelation 2:5 (Ephesus), Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.C. On this Memorial Day Sunday you may just discover the answer to your life’s struggles in some form or fashion. TS] Remember: There is nothing new under the sun….I. Israel in the wilderness provides some insight into our tendency to forget.A. God remembered His covenant with Abraham, - sent Moses. 10 Plagues… 1. At the Red Sea – 3 Exodus 14:10-11, As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 2. At the Jordan River – 4 Numbers 14:1-4, That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” … vs. 11 – “The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?”B. 5 Memorial Days for Israel? (God even provides for our forgetfulness) 1. Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, Atonement, etc. 2. Point: :Unless we recognize that the battle is the Lord’s and memorialize what God has done for us and others in our past, we cannot face the battles of tomorrow with confidence in God’s provision.C. Standing over here, looking over there – we marvel at their unbelief. 1. I can’t help but wonder if years from now those who read our story won’t do the same.TS] This same concept is taught in the NT in various places and ways – Let me share with you one of these texts and make a couple of ‘so what’ observations. 6 Remember - What we presently remember of the past will affect what we do in the future. What we remember today of yesterday will significantly impact our tomorrow.II. 2 Peter 1:3-11 bubbles over with this truth. A. Read 5-11; notice how it begins: “For this very reason” 7 8 1. 3-4, reference to the past – this is what God has done…B. God has done His part – now you do yours. 1. 9 2 Peter 1:5, Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; 2. Notice – “Faith” is pre-supposed. C. Gaining knowledge of and Remembering God’s acts on our part stimulates our faith. 1. 10 OUTLINE: Our Faith is dependant on our Memory. 2. Because of this add to your faith – goodness, knowledge, self-control; perseverance; godliness; brotherly kindness; love. 3. Notice: 10 – The cause for not growing as a Christian is linked with forgetfulness. “forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”TS] 11 Remember: What we presently remember of the past will affect what we do in the future. What we remember today of yesterday will significantly impact our tomorrow. OUTLINE: Two concepts to Remember: III. 12 First, Keep Score – Acknowledge what God has done in your past.A. Illu – Small groups 1. Last week we remembered all that God had done for various members of the group over the past year or so. 2. Everyone had faced some trial, difficulty, ect. 3. Obvious conclusion (sensation) Why am I worried about the current battle?B. Much of the Psalms are keeping score…Psalm 103:1-8C. Have we forgotten what God has done in bringing us here to Amity Hill Road? 1. Have we toned down our dreams because we have forgotten and are now afraid?IV. 13 Second, Do Your Part – Add to your faith….A. Make every effort…be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall…B. We must highly resolve that God’s provision has not been provided in vain! 14 CS: Remember: What we presently remember of the past will affect what we do in the future. What we remember today of yesterday will significantly impact our tomorrow.