It is hard to believe that this is so, but the calendar proves that it is! When the first Sunday of June rolls around I will have spent ten years as the pastor of Elim Baptist Church. On the one hand it just doesn’t seem possible that ten years have elapsed, and on the other hand, when I consider all that has taken place, it seems incredible that everything has happened over a period of only ten years!
I can still recall that first weekend when I was moving the books into my study. Along came one of the young men of the church who began helping me move in. It wasn’t too long until we were engrossed in a serious conversation that ended up greatly changing that young man’s life. And it is such a joy to know that he is still a part of Elim, and he continues to grow in the things of God.
Our first few years together were full of unexpected things; some were good, and some were not so good. But together we handled the joys and the hurts, the areas of confronting sin and rejoicing in the repentance of those who came to faith. Along the way we have had many people come and go (and many who have stayed around the whole time). Indeed, it has been the best (and the busiest) ten years of my 30 years in ministry.
As I sit here typing these words, one word keeps running through my head—remember. I can remember people and events, as well as happy moments and hard times. The act of remembering something can bring both a smile and a wince. Sometimes the same memory causes both!
But the act of remembering is far more than a nostalgic journey. There is more to it than simply being able to recall what has happened in the past. In fact, God’s Word calls us to remember several things specifically because in doing so we are given strength and help to live in the present moment.
For instance, it was our Lord Jesus who said to the disciples,
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:20).
It was the desire of the Master for us to understand that when we face trials of hate and difficulty as His followers, that it is exactly what He told us would happen. Such things are not surprising to us because of His warning, and so we are able to prepare for them and continue doing what is right.
Actually, this is only possible as we practice another aspect of remembering that the Bible commands of us. The apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, said, Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel (2 Timothy 2:8). This is said in the context of Paul declaring that even though he was in prison, the Word of God was not in any way cooped up or ineffective. In fact, it is quite the opposite! When we take the time to focus on Jesus and what He did in rising from the dead, all the problems of life ought to come into view as certainly manageable as we live in Him.
When we remember what it means to be in Jesus and all that such a life promises, it is easy to get caught up in looking only to the glorious future that awaits us. But God would not have us forget the past too easily. He wants us to know where we came from so that we might all the more appreciate where we are going and how we are getting there! That is why the Holy Spirit inspired this command:
…remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13).
Praise the Lord that we can remember not only what God has promised us, but also what He alone has saved us from!
This spiritual discipline of proper memory has a very practical dimension to it. You might recall that in the Old Testament times the people of Israel were often told to set up memorial stones or other markers so that they might remember and recall to future generations the great things God had done on their behalf. And that is truly one of the most practical dimensions of a biblical memory—to declare the great works of God to those who have not seen them firsthand! This truth is mentioned over and again in the Old Testament. Psalm 78:4 is just one of many references:
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
But the practical dimensions extend far beyond the memorials erected by the people of Israel. Indeed, God states that the act of remembering is not always limited to that which is long past, but may well be used to consider rightly that which is directly in front of us. Consider the two commands from Hebrews 13 regarding our ability to remember. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body (verse 3).
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith (verse 7).
In these texts we have two very different things to remember. On the one hand we are to remember that there are those within the body of Christ (of which all believers are a part) who physically suffer because of their faith. Our focus on their needs is to be so direct that it is as if we were in prison with them. That is a very focused memory!
The other area in Hebrews 13 deals with those who are not out of sight, but rather are before our eyes on a regular basis as they speak to us the word of God. Yes, in most cases this probably refers to a pastor or elder who has been commissioned by the Savior to teach His truth to His people. But, more than calling the church to remember what was said (which is important!), they are called to consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. I am sure you understand that to be the object of such commanded memory is a heavy responsibility.
Over the past ten years it has been my privilege, pleasure and sometimes pain, to live in front of those who make up Elim and teach both by word and example. I have not always done this with perfection. I have not always done it with grace. Believe me, I know this. However, I can honestly declare that it has been my intent, and it still is my intent, to try and teach by word and deed the sufficiency of Christ to lead each one of us through every event, trial or happening in our lives. He can be trusted in everything! And, if He should delay His return another ten years, I trust that truth will still be the center of the message you allow me to declare and deliver to you.
Posted on June 1st, 2008 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
