THE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE OF REMEMBERING

Text: 2 Peter 1.12 15 & 3.1, 2 (in pew Bible p. 1204 / in large print Bible p. 1872)
2 Peter 1.12 15:
12
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know
and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to
stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord
Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a
reminder of these things after my decease.
2 Peter 3.1, 2:
1
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by
way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy
prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

Intro:
- illust. Studying @ W.L.U. = remembering requires hard work.
-in todays text Peter is eager while he is alive (ch. 1.13) - to stir up the minds of those
persecuted pilgrims (1 Peter 1.1) with whom he has ministered to over the years.
focus of his message = established in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our
Lord (ch. 1.12, 2), and mindful of the O.T. & N.T. (ch. 3.2).
o warning against willfully & carelessly forgetting (ch. 3.5).
goal of his message = rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ (ch. 1.11).
Take Home Point:
-to remember and revisit Gospel truth which will stir to a committed life.
1. REMEMBERING
-ZAW-CAR in its various forms appears 286 times in the O.T. (Theological Dictionary
of the O.T. pp. 64 to 82).
-Jesus said in John 14.26 that the Holy Spirit was given to the church to remind His
followers of the lessons they already learned from Him.
-Paul wrote in Philippians 3.1 I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it
to safeguard your faith.
-in biblical culture, remembering led to an action (Brown Driver Briggs p. 269).
when I remember, it affects my present feelings and actions.
to remember is not merely to recollect something but rather it is to do something
about what you remember (Wilsons O.T. Word Studies p. 374).
o no such thing as good intentions without the corresponding good deed

p. 2
-Peter wants believers to recall and re-experience significant events (ch. 3.2).
Salvation History in the Old Testament.
o creation & exodus from Egypt.
o covenant renewal ceremonies.
o festivals: Passover, Pentecost, Atonement, Tabernacles, Trumpets,
Sabbath Year, Jubilee, Purim.
Salvation History in the Old Testament.
o Lords Supper (in remembrance of Me / 1 Corinthians 11.24, 25).
-biblical remembering is not a solo sport but it is always done in community.
once we remember the past, it impacts our present circumstances favourably.
2. REMEMBERING APPLIED
-our Elders goal throughout 2011 was to study and increase the level of passionate
spirituality in L.A.C.C.
cf. Christian A. Schwarz Natural Church Development A Guide To Eight
Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches. St. Charles, IL: ChurchSmart Resources,
2003).
-passionate spirituality = fuel / energy for our engine.
can we say that we are on fire for the Lord?
are we living committed lives and do we practice our faith with joy and
enthusiasm?
o acid test = prayer life & personal use of the Bible.
o process = to learn to live our faith with contagious enthusiasm and to
share it with others.
-the Lenten Season is an opportunity for us to increase our passionate spirituality.
as a community we can exercise corporate biblical remembering.
o once we remember the past, it impacts our present circumstances
favourably.
-Lenten Services:
Shrove Tuesday = ancient practice of feasting on the meat, eggs, fat, and dairy
products that are often avoided during Lent.
Ash Wednesday = a service of penitential reflection, reminding us of our
brokenness and need.
Wednesday Lent Studies = Watching With Christ One Hour discipleship,
Christian growth, paying the price, spiritual vigilance, spiritual passion, and
submission to Gods will.
Good Friday = focus on Christs obedience, suffering, and death.
Easter Sunday = celebration and rejoicing for Christs victory over death and the
tomb. Because He lives, we too shall live!

p. 3
-Lenten Readings & Meditations in the Gospels:
reading through the four Gospels during Lent.
o journeying as a community through the life of Christ by reading two
chapters per day.
o opportunity every week during the Wednesday Lent Study to share
insights from your previous week of reading.
Conclusion:
1. Know what God wants.
-to remember Gospel truth and to be stirred to a committed life.
once we remember the past, it impacts our present circumstances favourably.
-biblical remembering is not a solo sport but it is always done in community.
Live coals separated, soon die (Michael Haykin The Gospel Witness.
January 2012, p. 3).
Baptist First London Confession: Christians do by mutual agreement
and consent give themselves up to the Lord, and one to another (Michael
Haykin The Gospel Witness. January 2012, p. 4).
-the Lenten Season is an opportunity for us to enhance our passionate spirituality.
19

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were
shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in
the midst, and said to them, Peace be with you. 20 When He had said this, He showed
them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord
(John 20.19, 20).
2. Know how to do what God wants.
-let us be a Church Family, seeing and learning more about Jesus.
enter into this season of remembrance with a desire to increase your spiritual
passion for the Lord.
o invest 10 to 15 minutes a day with our Lenten Meditation of the Gospels.
o invest 1 hours per week in our Lenten Studies in community.
o transformation of learning more about Jesus.
-illust. Forgetting haircuts & standing before the Lord.
3. Know that you will do it.
-Closing Hymn: #172 Tell Me The Story Of Jesus (all verses).