By Bill Brandstatter
This is Memorial Day weekend. During this time of year, we pause to remember. We remember the ones who died for our nation's freedom. We remember the loved ones in general who have gone on before. The basic idea of remembering is to look back. We are looking back this weekend. Let us go through some biblical accounts and take a look back. All these will begin with word “remember” or “remembrance” and are in no particular order.
Remember the Word I have spoken: John 15:20: There is an idea here that Jesus not only wants us to remember but also to do. Jesus’s word will judge us (John 12:48). How is our spiritual memory? Many people have a memory problem. Sometimes we remember what the scripture says, but we don’t believe it applies to us. Let us remember the following from the Word of God: The wonderful works of God (Rom. 11:33); the death of Christ (1 Cor. 11:25-26); the teachings of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). To remember Christ’s words would include obeying them and incorporating them into your life. The words of Christ are very important to salvation (John 12:48, John 14:24, 1 Tim. 6:3, Matt. 24:35).
Remember Me: Luke 23:42: This is the statement of the thief on the cross. We often focus on the statement made by Jesus in response to the thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise"; but the statement the thief made is very important. What does this statement say? He wanted to do what pleased Jesus. He wanted to be where Jesus was. He wasn’t afraid to confess something about Christ even while facing certain death. He had an attitude of repentance. Certainly, we want the Lord to remember us when the crowns are handed out. (1 Cor. 9:25; 2Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10). We cannot be saved like the thief on the cross. He didn’t have to believe anything about Christ’s death. I do! (Rom. 10:9) He couldn’t be baptized into the death of Christ; (Rom. 6:3); I must be. The thief on the cross lived and died under the Law of Moses. That law was nailed to the cross and taken out of the way. (Col. 2:14). When God “remembers” us He looks back at what we have done.
Remember that Jesus was raised from the dead: 2 Tim. 2:8: This gives us hope beyond the grave (1 Cor. 15:14). Some in New Testament times thought that the resurrection had already past (2 Tim. 2:18). The Sadducees said there was no resurrection of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:12) The whole basis of the Christian experience is based in large part, not only on salvation, but on the hope of a resurrection someday. The Lord’s Supper is to be taken every Sunday for this purpose. (1 Cor. 11:24, 25)
Certainly, there are other passages that contain the word “remember.” These three are significant and should get our attention as we remember this weekend.
This is Memorial Day weekend. During this time of year, we pause to remember. We remember the ones who died for our nation's freedom. We remember the loved ones in general who have gone on before. The basic idea of remembering is to look back. We are looking back this weekend. Let us go through some biblical accounts and take a look back. All these will begin with word “remember” or “remembrance” and are in no particular order.
Remember the Word I have spoken: John 15:20: There is an idea here that Jesus not only wants us to remember but also to do. Jesus’s word will judge us (John 12:48). How is our spiritual memory? Many people have a memory problem. Sometimes we remember what the scripture says, but we don’t believe it applies to us. Let us remember the following from the Word of God: The wonderful works of God (Rom. 11:33); the death of Christ (1 Cor. 11:25-26); the teachings of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). To remember Christ’s words would include obeying them and incorporating them into your life. The words of Christ are very important to salvation (John 12:48, John 14:24, 1 Tim. 6:3, Matt. 24:35).
Remember Me: Luke 23:42: This is the statement of the thief on the cross. We often focus on the statement made by Jesus in response to the thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise"; but the statement the thief made is very important. What does this statement say? He wanted to do what pleased Jesus. He wanted to be where Jesus was. He wasn’t afraid to confess something about Christ even while facing certain death. He had an attitude of repentance. Certainly, we want the Lord to remember us when the crowns are handed out. (1 Cor. 9:25; 2Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10). We cannot be saved like the thief on the cross. He didn’t have to believe anything about Christ’s death. I do! (Rom. 10:9) He couldn’t be baptized into the death of Christ; (Rom. 6:3); I must be. The thief on the cross lived and died under the Law of Moses. That law was nailed to the cross and taken out of the way. (Col. 2:14). When God “remembers” us He looks back at what we have done.
Remember that Jesus was raised from the dead: 2 Tim. 2:8: This gives us hope beyond the grave (1 Cor. 15:14). Some in New Testament times thought that the resurrection had already past (2 Tim. 2:18). The Sadducees said there was no resurrection of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:12) The whole basis of the Christian experience is based in large part, not only on salvation, but on the hope of a resurrection someday. The Lord’s Supper is to be taken every Sunday for this purpose. (1 Cor. 11:24, 25)
Certainly, there are other passages that contain the word “remember.” These three are significant and should get our attention as we remember this weekend.
- Bill
Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be
contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment