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Memory Introduction: What would life be like without our memory? I joke, "There is only so much one can forget." However we understand the importance of our memory. Memory is a storehouse of facts. Things we have learned, past experiences, compose our memory. It records the past scenes of our life, people we have known,. It allows us to go back and recall the past. The Lord's Supper is a memorial to help us remember the sacrifice of Jesus. We want to look at categories of our memory. I) Grateful Memories A) Psalm 103 recalls the Lord's benefits. 1. We can recall past dangers, blessings we have received, and be grateful. 2. Short memory can bring about ungratefulness. 3. Genesis 40.1-13; 41.9 The Butler forgot Joseph. 4. Failure to the remember the poor wise man, Ecclesiastes 9.13-15 B) The Lord's Supper should remind us of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice, Luke 22.19 1. Serve as a teaching tool to our children and visitors. 2. Primarily to keep in the forefront what happened 2000 years ago. II) Tempting Memories A) Memories of an idol, or evil habits 1. Problem at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 8.7-9 2. Memory of Sodom caused Lot's wife to look back, Genesis 19.26 3. Memory of Egypt caused Israel to want to return, Exodus 16.1-3; Acts 7.39 B) Christians must sometimes forget the past, Phil. 3.13-14 1. Most of the time in these cases we have selective memory. 2. Instead of remembering the "good old days" and getting drunk, or being care free we need to remember the cost of those things. III) Painful Memories A) No form of punishment like the memory of a misspent life 1. Think of all the mistakes you made or things you should of done. 2. Joseph's brothers consciences were smarter 20 years later, Genesis 42.21 2. Memory of his wicked deed haunted Herod, Matthew 14.1-3 3. The memory of Judas drove him to suicide, Matthew 27.3-5 4. The memory of the rich man in Hades, haunted him, Luke 16.25-31 B) There is a lesson for us to understand, we can repent but sometimes the consequences remain IV) Penitent Memories A) Memory is the lever or repentance; unless we recall our sins and God's goodness, we will never repent, Ezekiel 20.43; Romans 2.4-5 1. Memory of home and his mistake caused the Prodigal son to return, Luke 15.17-20 2. Memory of his denial of Christ, caused Peter to cry, Luke 22.54-62 B) Jesus called for two of His churches to "remember', Rev. 2.5; 3.3. V) Inspiring Memories (Remember the Alamo) A) Remember the promises of the Lord to encourage us to be faithful 1. 1 Peter 3.12 can encourage us to pray 2. Matthew 6.26 can inspire us to trust in God 3. Galatians 6.9 can help us overcome discouragement. B) All of us can remember times which can encourage us 1. Times when we thought all was lost only to find out that everything was OK. 2. People who encouraged us and place their faith in us.
VI) Happy Memories A) Memories of a life well spent, 2 Timothy 4.7-8 1. Paul did not lament his service to God but encouraged others to live as he had. 2. We should do the same. Conclusion: The memories we have tomorrow will depend upon what we do today. Make today all that it ought to be. |