Remembering This One Thing

"Remember This One Thing!"

Pastor Jerry

2 Peters 3:1-9

 

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The ability to remember is a wonderful gift that God has given to us. In a flash you can be a child again. And reliving those times are the blessings of memory. Some of our memories are happy, but some of our memories are sad. 2 Pet. 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” DO NOT FORGET THIS ONE THING. We humans often forget things. But Peter is saying, “Don’t forget the Lord and don’t forget that the Lord’s view of time is different than ours. Don’t forget that God is faithful. He keeps His promises” We human beings are forgetful about important things. We do forget God and forget what His Word says. Forgetfulness. We all experience it and it seems to get worse with age. Some things need to be forgotten, but other things need to be remembered. One thing we should not forget…IS THE PEOPLE AROUND US!  We should be thoughtful of ONE ANOTHER! We must love one another. Why? …because God is Love …and wants us to share His Love with everyone. God loves You! That is why He sent Jesus into the world at Christmas; that’s why God sent Jesus into the world to die to save people …because of Love! And whether we realize it or not, our business as a church in this world is also to remember and to love people. On this Remembrance Day I want us to be people remembering one another in 4 diff. ways: 1- Remember the good and encourage… 2- Remember the hurting and pray… 3- Remember those who have gone on before us and be thankful… 4- Remember the Lord and what He has done for us … I. REMEMBER THE GOOD AND ENCOURAGE… We need to honor people when they do good. Eph. 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…” Unwholesome talk is often words of criticism. Talk that builds up is talk that commends, appreciates, praises, and encourages. Of all our loved ones remembered today, there is much good in their lives to commend them for. II. REMEMBER THE HURTING AND PRAY We are to see hurting people and try to help them. As a minimum, pray for them. Matt. 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus saw hurting people. We must see the hurt in others before we can do something for them. I think any time we pray for people it does good.  That’s a part of following Christ. That’s a ministry, which we all can do. III. REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US AND LIFT PRAISE I Thess. 4:13-14 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” Those who have died in Christ are yet alive. What a glorious hope we have in Christ!  It is so reassuring when Christian people die with faith in Jesus. 2 Pet. 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Peter is saying, “Don’t forget the Lord and don’t forget that the Lord’s view of time is different than ours. He is not limited by time as we are. Don’t forget that God is faithful. Today, as we remember those who have gone on before us, we are to trust the Lord for His salvation. No one goes to their grave perfect. Nor will their faith be perfect, but hopefully, they trust in a perfect Savior, the Lord Jesus. And look forward to your own day when the Lord will call you home.. IV. REMEMBER THE LORD AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US God so loved the world that He sent His Son at Christmas time. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son on the cross to die for our sin. God loves everything He has created because it’s good, but His most important creation is YOU. God’s heart is set on YOU. And so ours must be set on one another. Remember people and commend them. Remember and pray for them. Remember and thank God for them…and do not forget this one thing …that God gave YOU Jesus at Christmas …so you could have a Blessed and Happy New Life!