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REMEMBER
I. Introduction
A. We are all forgetful at times, and I know well this is true
1. When concentrating on one thing, I sometimes forget others
2. They say when people are married for a while, they grow alike--
If Maaike has had the misfortune of growing more like me, then I
know she has grown more forgetful over the years.
B. God recognizes how easily we forget
1. He instituted a memorial so that we would not forget Christ's
death. (I Cor. 11:24-5)
2. The Bible is full of reminders...(II Pet 1:12-25) Peter reminded
them of things they needed as long as he was alive
C. There are many things we should always remember
II. Things we should remember...
A. Remember we have a never-dying soul to save
1. (Matt 10:28) It lives beyond this life, and can be saved or lost
2. It is evident it lives beyond this life if we believe the Bible
a) It goes to a place for spirits at death (Luke 23:43)
b) It will be present at the judgment (Heb 9:27,Rev. 20:12-13)
c) It will be destined eternally by an eternal judgment
(II Th. 1:7-9) If disobedient, vengeance of God
(Matt 25:23) If obedient, rewarded
(Matt 25:46) The reward, punishment is eternal
3. The soul can be purified by obedience (I Pet 1:22)
a) It can be freed from sin (Rom 6:17-18)
b) It can be saved from past sins (Rom 10:13-17)
c) This "form of doctrine" includes:
(1) Hearing the truth (Rom 10:14)
(2) Believing the message (Heb. 11:6)
(3) Repenting of our sins (Acts 17:30-31)
(4) Confessing Christ (Rom 10:9-10)
(5) Being Baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
4. To save the soul we must live in obedience (James 1:21-25)
B. We have a wonderful revelation from God to meditate upon and learn
1. (II Pet 1:3) Our knowledge, everything we need, comes from that
written, confirmed revelation.
2. We are given to read and UNDERSTAND the mysteries revealed there
to apostles, their companions (Eph 3:1-6)
3. This law is very special to us, and should be
(1) (Psalm 119:97) We love it, meditate in it
(2) (Psalm 119:98-100) It will make us wiser than wise men
(3) (Psalm 119:72) It is of greater value than gold or silver
(4) (Psalm 119:105) It will light our path
(5) (Psalm 119:116-117) In the law of God is safety, strength
4. This word will save us if we will believe and obey it.
(1) (James 1:21) Receive it, able to save your souls
(2) (Rom 1:16) Gospel is power of God to save
(3) (Psalm 119:166) Hope for salvation, keep commandments
5. We need to fill our hearts or minds with this word, and then
practice its precepts all the time in our lives
(1) (Heb. 8:10-11) The laws of God are to be written in our minds
(2) (Psalm 1:1-2) Meditate in God's law day and night
(3) If our heart is empty, SOMETHING will fill up that void
--In the comic strip, the teenage boy knew batting averages
for ballplayers in 1981, spark plug numbers and gaps for
a car, specifications for a stereo speaker, but
couldn't remember to bring home his homework assignment
--This shows we fill our minds with what we WANT TO
--If it is not filled with God's righteousness, it may be
filled with the DEVIL'S FOOLISHNESS (Matt 13:22)
C. Remember we have battles to fight, temptations to overcome,
victories to win...
1. We all are subject to temptation
a) Those weak in the faith are (II Cor. 11:3)
b) Even those strong in the faith are (I Cor. 9:27)
2. Temptations can work good for us instead of ill (James 1:1-4)
--What Satan may use to try to kill us, we may thrive on it
(Sounds like some efforts to kill cockroaches!)
3. But we must learn what causes temptations and thus learn to
fight against the danger effectively and wisely
a) (James 1:13-16) Our own lusts are what lead us into
temptation
b) We must deny our lusts (Tit 2:11-12)
c) We must flee those lusts, conquer them (II Pet 2:11)Abstain
d) God can keep us from evil (John 17:15)
e) He makes a way of escape from overwhelming temptation
(I Cor. 10:13)
f) In one fire, they found piles of bodies burned to death on
the inside of a locked exit door--they found the way of
escape but couldn't take it! But WE CAN TAKE THIS ONE!
4. We must SUBMIT to God in order to RESIST the Devil (James 4:6-10)
D. Remember we have a SAVIOR to follow
1. He left us an example of suffering wrongfully (I Pet 2:21-3)
a) We are thus inspired to endure hardship (Heb. 12:1-4)
b) We are shown how to love our enemies (Luke 23:34)Forgive them
c) We see how we ought to endure when wronged (I Pet 2:18-21)
d) We are lifted up by seeing how much He loved us(I Pet 2:24-5)
2. He left us an example of obedience (Heb. 5:8-9,I Jn 2:3-6)
a) His obedience was learned through difficulty--So will ours
b) He learned to obey--Will He accept our excuses for
disobedience? (Heb 5:9)
c) We want to claim that we KNOW Him--But it is a lie unless we
DO OBEY Him (I Jn 2:3-6) His steps are OBEDIENT steps!
3. Do we follow Christ in everything?
In PRAYER, SACRIFICE, LOVE, COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING, ZEAL, LOVE FOR THE LOST, TEACHING, WISDOM, COURAGE, SUBMISSION,ETC.
4. We want to follow Him...
a) Into Paradise when we die (Luke 23:43)
b) Into Heaven later on (John 14:1-3)
c) We have to be ready to do that
E. Remember we have an ACCOUNT to give to God
1. (Heb. 9:27) The judgment is a sure future event
2. (Rom 14:12) EVERY ONE of us shall give account of himself to God
3. Our neglect, disregard will be considered
a) (Matt 12:36) Every IDLE WORD
b) (Matt 25:41-6) Our NEGLECT of the needy will be considered
c) (II Th 1:7-9) Whether we OBEYED THE GOSPEL will be weighed
d) (Heb. 2:1-3) How shall we escape unless we obey?
4. That account will be judged by the Bible (John 12:48)
--Where do you stand according to the Bible today?
III. Conclusion
A. There are many reminders God has included in His word of things we
should never forget
B. We have considered these:
1. We have an eternal soul
2. We have the Bible to study, learn, understand
3. We have temptations to overcome
4. We have a savior to follow
5. We have and account to give to God for our lives
C. If you do not stand ready to meet God now, why not OBEY HIM NOW
so you can be.
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