Remember

We are continuing our series, The 3 R’s to Finishing Strong, I would really encourage you to check out last weeks message if you missed it. If you are feeling tired, overwhelmed, stressed, or any state of life where you feel like the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders, last week’s message on rest is something for you to consider

To kickoff this morning’s message, I want to ask this question:

Question 1: Have you ever lost your train of thought mid sentence?

now I’m sure within the service we have the full spectrum of the scale covered. Some of us really like the calendar app on the phone because it does all the remembering for us. Some us still use the flip calendar on the wall and that helps us remember the important birthdays and anniversaries.

I don’t know too many people who flawlessly remember every date and phone number without some kind of assistance, digital or otherwise.

The Importance of Remembering

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we are often asked to remember what came before, and we are going to take some time and unpack what exactly we need to be remembering. First, we have to understand what the bible is really asking of us when it asks us to remember.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the concept of memory is not limited to cognitive recall. Rather, remembering something implies acting in accordance with what is remembered.

We get this to some degree. To all the married people, if you anniversary comes and you simply recall the fact it is your anniversary, how well will that go over? Remembering it is your anniversary usually leads to some kind of action, whether it is a nice supper, a card, or whatever it is you do as a couple.

This is actually the purpose of Remembrance Day. We are not asked to simply show up one day a year to remember the lives lost to defend our freedoms. We are not called to wear a poppy as a November fashion accessory. We are called to live differently, to honor the sacrifce made by the men and women so we could have the lives we have today.

So with this in mind, we are going to Romans 15.

Romans 15:1–7 ESV

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Instruction for the Strong

Paul is writing to those who are strong in faith. Before we unpack what is happening in Romans 15, we have to understand how we got to this point. Chapter 14 is all about not passing judgment on other because they don’t believe the same thing. Paul also cautioned the strong to not cause those who are weak in faith to stumble because of how they exercise the freedom they have in Christ.

Instead, Paul looks to those who are strong to take up the weak in their affliction, to bear the weight that they are not able to bear. When Paul says that each of us is to please his neighbour, he is talking about what is spiritually pleasing. It is the edification of the fellow believer, weak or strong.

Paul makes this charge to the weak, ‘For’. Any time a biblical author writes the word for, it means that whatever proceeded the for is supported by what comes after. In this case, Paul charges the strong in faith and life to care for the weak in faith FOR

the reason: Because Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the ultimate source and example of strength of faith, never put himself above others. Last week talked about how Jesus would remove himself and rest. Why? Because he knew it was necessary to continue to pour himself out for the people he was ministering to.

Jesus lived so sacrificially, Paul said that even the reproach, the disgrace, the insults that come your way fall on Jesus in your place. So Jesus was willing to bear with the weak in faith, how much more should we who seek to exemplify Christ, bear one another, especially the strong bearing the weak.

This is remembering as the New Testament calls us. We called to act a certain way towards our brothers and sisters in faith because Jesus set the example, and as we read his example, we are called to act accordingly.

Question 2: When was the last time Christ inspired you to do something?

Jesus is the ultimate example of life. When it comes to making your faith tangible and actionable, look no further than Christ. Paul often calls us to imitate Christ, so it is not just about inpiration, but we are actually called to be a reflection of Jesus in all that we do.

Lessons for the Weak

In a series that is all about finishing strong, meant to be an encouragement for those who may be struggling, what can we draw from a passage directed to the strong? In our context, the strong would be those who are doing well, despite the tough circumstances we find ourselves.

well, there are actually 5 reminders I want us to take away from this, especially if you yourself with an empty tank or overwhelmed.

1. You are not alone.

this is one of the biggest lies our spiritual enemy uses to keep us down. I’m the only one going through this. Asking for help makes me weak. If I can’t do this by myself, I shouldn’t be doing it all. And a long list of reasons and excuses we use to not ask for the help we desperately need

The truth is, there will be seasons when we feel strong, and seasons we feel weak. When we feel strong, we love to step into the opportunity to help someone who is feeling weak and needing help. Well when the tables turn, we cannot allow our pride to get in the way of asking for help. We are a family, we love and support each other.

You are not alone. When you are feeling weak, lean on the support system of your spiritual family to get you through the season

2. Jesus suffered so you wouldn’t have to!

verse 3 says that the disgrace, the insults, and the hurts that were on you are now on him! He feels your pain, he takes it personally when we are mistreated, and when our heart is heavy, his is heavy right along with you. By his stripes, we are healed.

You are not alone because you have your church family to support. You are not alone because Jesus will never leave nor forsake you. Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the great high priest because he has experienced everything we could experience. He is not a far off god who doesn’t understand; he has personal experience with what you are feeling, so we can be confident going to him for the help we need

3. Memorize scripture

Paul says that the scriptures were written so that we would be instructed, we would have the endurance to get through any temptation or hardship, and we would be encouraged to stay strong. The strength that we gain, the light at the end of the tunnel is the hope that we have in Christ. Our hope that our struggles are not in vain, but that God really can use anything to the good of those who are called by his glorious purpose. The hope that there is more to life then what we see. The hope that there is eternity beyond this life.

God has promised you amazing things! Do you know the promises God has declared over you? Can you recall them when life is hard and your energy levels are low? Scripture memory is not just a Sunday school practice for the kids. We start doing it with our kids in the hope we will continue to do it as adults. When our mind is cloudy, God’s word is the light that makes the clouds go away

4. When we are weak, God is Strong

not only is scripture a source for enncouragement and enndurance, but God is the God of endurance and encouragement. When we feel weak, God is strong. When we don’t have the answers, God has all the answers. When we can’t take another step, God pushes us to the end of the race. The words of Isaiah

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

remember who your source is

5. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

wait, didn’t you already say that. It is so important it had to be said twice. Paul bookends the passage by reminding the people that they are called to live in unity, in harmony. All to often, when life is tough and we are feeling down, we separate ourselves so that we don’t discourage anyone else. But that isn’t harmony. Harmony the way God intends is for everyone to encouraged, everyone to be built up, and everyone together. When you are down, you have to resist the temptation to separate. When you are by yourself, it is too easy to get inside your own head and actually hurt yourself more. Be with the family of God every chance you get, be encouraged by the life around you, and allow others to speak into your life.

Why is this message called remember?

Last time I talked about remembering, it took a whole series and it felt like we actually talked about remembering.

These 5 things are the first things we tend to forget when life goes sideways. We forget that we’re not alone. We forget that Jesus is with us through the tough times. We forget the promises God has declared over us in his scriptures. We forget that God is our ultimate source of strength and inspiration. We forget, we isolate, and we end up in a pit we can’t get out of on our own.

REMEMBER!!! Remember these five things, and do not simply recall them, but may the memory of these things cause us to act and live accordingly. Let’s pray!

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