Remember Me

When we hear the church bells ringing, we usually remember something from the past. God has given us the ability of mental recall. We can remember people, good or bad circumstances, and even past possessions. Some people have argued that memory is the most important of all a persons’ abilities. The Church is responsible for reminding its people of the many truths listed in the Bible. In the past, many churches had a table that stood down front of the preacher on which was written “Remember Me.” This reminds us that Jesus is the center of our religion. The centrality of Jesus is the number one thing that Christians should remember. People can have a new eternal life because Christ took our place in death. 

Our sin is the thing that has always separated us from God. Jesus came to live and die on this sinful earth in order to give us the opportunity to get right with the Almighty. People become so involved with everyday living that many times we will forget that our eternity depends on Jesus Christ. The ringing of the church bell is a reminder that Jesus died for us. Before Jesus went to the cross, He gathered with his disciples and ordained the communion ceremony for the church. This was His last meal before death. The Scripture says: Then he broke it (the bread) in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”  (1 Cor 11:24-26 NLT). Remembering Jesus should be our priority. 

The Bible tells us to remind everyone that the death of Christ did away with the sin that keeps us away from God. The local church as well as the individual Christian finds joy in the fact that Jesus died to pay our ransom. God will not remember our sin on judgment day because Jesus took our sin upon himself. The Scripture says: “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (Heb 10:17 NLT). How can we not want to tell unsaved people about the way to Heaven? There are other things that the Scriptures tell us to remember. We must remember to pray for other people. As the Spirit directs us we should pray for either saved or unsaved people. Serving the Lord is a privilege because of what Christ is doing for us. 

Over the years many people have suffered at the hands of the world because they proclaim the Savior. This means that their only help must come from the church. Paul instructed the churches to remember that some Christians need our help. He agreed with the disciples: …that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (Gal 2:10 KJV). When a Christian hires help they should give jobs to other Christians so they can take care of their families. In return, a Christian should work hard at their job and do their best. The Church must remember to pray for the whole spiritual family, rich or poor. Remember that helping and praying for others is part of our service to God. 

Many of us went to Sunday school and learned the Bible stories. These wonderful old stories were our introduction to the doctrines of God. It is wonderful to recall how that the Spirit led us into the path of our salvation. Paul reminds us to pray for our teachers: I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. (1 Cor 11:2 NLT). We must live by the teachings of the Bible if we ever hope to live pleasing lives for the Lord. We know the Church has been teaching people for two thousand years because of an unbroken chain of teachers. Christian literature reflects much of the struggle for good in our history. 

Christians can also find encouragement by remembering the faith of people in the past who loved God with all their hearts. Hebrews eleven is called the Faith hall of Fame.  Simply by reading about these saints from the past we can be strengthened. Each of us has their own heroes of the faith but the point is that our memories can help us at times. At Easter we remember the resurrection. It is a living memorial because Jesus Christ is still alive. Our life is about living the victory over death that Jesus won that Sunday morning. Paul made this statement: Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. (2 Tim 2:8 NLT). We continue to preach this.

The wonder of the life and death of Jesus is continually working in a Christian. Every day we are aware that we have been raised to a new life. The help of the Lord is continual. The Bible says: But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:25-27 NLT) Remembering what Jesus said gives the Church its peace and joy. The Holy Scriptures can lead us through this life and into the next. The Gospel is never about our thinking. It is always about remembering exactly what the Spirit of God says. When we believe and then live what is in the Bible, a new life will be ours.

Give Me Victory

God’s Word says plainly that only the over comers in Jesus will enter Heaven. Our victory is completely contained in Christ. Unfortunately, only portions of the people in a local congregation are ready to go. Jesus said: But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. (Matt 25:10 NLT). Only half the people were ready in this story. When Jesus returns the other half will not understand that their own indifference, coldness, or lack of concern made them unprepared. Today there are times when Christians attempt some work for God but are stopped by the coldness of the people without oil in their lamp. Our American Church is in trouble and all born-again Christians can see it. Having oil in our lamps (the Spirit) is what it takes to be victorious. 

There are numerous reasons why churches are failing God. Being nonchalant is not what Christianity is about. In other words, Jesus is sick of our indifference. In a message to the seven churches of Revelation Jesus said: …be diligent and turn from your indifference. (Rev 3:19 NLT). The Lord’s sheep must be doing exactly what the Shepherd is telling them to do. We must not be doing our own thing. Someday, He will divide the sheep from the goats. Once again, only one half the people were ready for His return. The good news is that the Spirit of Christ can give us victory over anything in this world. It is much easier to have the help of our church but the Lord will find a way. Remember that victory is available to every Christian.  

Following the Spirit is the victory we must have for eternal life. Jesus said: To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7 NLT). Many of us have been told that every believer gets to go to Heaven. The truth is that a believer must have a relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the oil in our lamps. Every Christian today must listen to the Spirit and obey what Jesus has commanded in order to find victory. Many people like to say, I am under grace and don’t need to do anything. This is very wrong. A Christian life must include a “constant and earnest effort to accomplish” our task. We find victory in our life when we are sincere with our God. 

Every day that Israel was in the desert, the Lord provided their bread without any work. We will be provided for in eternity without any worries. What a wonderful reward awaits every over comer: To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. (Rev 2:17 NLT). A victorious life should be a priority for every Christian. Another promise to the over comer: There are some in the church … who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. (Rev 3:4-5 NLT). It is time for us to pick up our heads and look for victories in our lives. 

Some people think there is nothing for them to do in their new life with Jesus. But we must serve God the way our Savior instructed us. A Christian should know that our indifference will not be acceptable. Jesus said: So be diligent and turn from your indifference… Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:19, 21NLT). Our attitude is very important when we serve the Lord. In order to serve others we must overcome anything that is suppressing our love for others. It is time for us to repent of our indifference and serve the Lord in His victory at Calvary.  Eternal life is our reward and we should live with this hope. 

Think about some of the benefits. God will protect us from eternal death. The Bible says: Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. (Rev 2:11 NLT). In addition Jesus said that we would live in a great city with Him: And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. (Rev 3:12 NLT). This is a double reward because we will not suffer eternal death but instead will live with God. Every Church for two thousand years has been instructed to live in spiritual victory because of what Jesus has provided for us. Let us enter Heaven as an over comer who lives a worthy life in our Savior.