Topical Sermons

REMEMBER!

Intro.
1. Man's ability to remember is more than trained responses (cf. Pavlov's dogs).
2. Memories stir us to high & holy motives. With a knowledge of the past we avoid mistakes & maintain hope for the future - Lk. 17:32; Heb. 11: 38-12:1.
3. We must remember where we have been, what God has done & is doing for us, & we must remember the word of truth which establishes us in His mercies.

I. REMEMBER WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN - Deut. 29:1-9.
  A. Israel Was To Remember:
    1. Their slavery in Egypt - Deut. 15:15.
    2. God's powerful redemption & continuing care - Deut. 7:18; 8:2.
    3. Their rebellion - Deut. 9:7.
    4. God's law (covenant) - Deut. 16:12; 24:18.
  B. What About Forgetting What Is Behind? - Phil. 3:13.
    1. Idea of not relying on the past to satisfy the present/future (Heb. 6:1).
    2. Remembering our past state of sin causes humble obedience & diligence - Eph. 2:11-13; cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-16.
  C. Remember Where You Have Been In Your Spiritual Life In Order To:
    1. Repent & reform - Rev. 2:5.
    2. Be thankful toward God - 1 Tim. 1:12.
    3. Properly order our lives - Phil. 3:4-8.
    4. Follow worthy examples of faith - Acts 20:31.

II. REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU - Deut. 11:7.
  A. Remember God's Great Love Toward Us In Christ - Rom. 5:8.
    -The Lord's Supper helps us remember - 1 Cor. 11:23-25.
  B. Remember That God Remembers Our Sins No More - Heb. 8:12; 10:17. (Oh, what release! Oh, what joy! Oh, what hope!)
  C. Remember The Great Works Of God In Order To:
    1. Be strengthen in personal faith - cf. Matt. 16:9 (Mk. 8:18).
    2. Help us endure throughout life - 2 Tim. 2:8-13.

III. REMEMBER THE TRUTH OF GOD.
  A. Israel Would Be Safe & Strong If They Remembered God's Covenant - Deut. 4:5-9 (Hos. 4:6).
  B. We Can Remain Safe & Strong By Remembering The Truth Of The Gospel - 2 Pet. 1:12-15.
    1. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 - It equips us for spiritual maturity.
    2. 2 Pet. 1:16-21 - Our faith is not based on fables, but on rational proof - cf. Acts 1:3.
  C. Remember The Words Of Christ - Jno. 15:20; 16:4; Lk. 24:6; Acts 20:35. (cf. Remember the apostles' doctrine - 2 Ths. 2:5.)

Conclusion
1. "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
2. Those who remember the past are equipped to humbly obey God and live in His present & eternal blessings.