“Remember”

1. “Remember”

2. Our nation has many memorials Memorials exist in the form of special days, buildings, street names, parks, statues, walls, plaques, activities, etc. Amidst all the memorials, we still have a tendency to forget

3. In general, we have forgotten the very One who is responsible for the prosperity we enjoy

4. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

5. In general, we have forgotten the very One who is responsible for the prosperity we enjoy The Scriptures remind us not to forget God, and call on us to remember Him

6. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Psalm 9:17

7. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Ecclesiastes 12:1

8. In general, we have forgotten the very One who is responsible for the prosperity we enjoy The Scriptures remind us not to forget God, and call on us to remember Him It is vitally important that each remembers God before his life is destroyed, his future is ruined and his soul is lost

9. Solomon reminds us that one of the reasons for remembering the Creator in the days of youth is to spare future generations the bitter heartache of finding out too late that life is meaningless without God

10. Solomon knew that a foolish man learns nothing from mistakes, a smart man learns from his own mistakes and a wise man learns from the mistakes of others Solomon presented his own life as an example for others to consider His life was one of many mistakes and sins as he sought happiness in various ways

11. His exploits serve as a valuable lesson for us He sought happiness through: Wisdom

12. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

13. His exploits serve as a valuable lesson for us He sought happiness through: Wisdom Pleasure

14. I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

15. His exploits serve as a valuable lesson for us He sought happiness through: Wisdom Pleasure Wealth

16. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of

17. spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

18. His exploits serve as a valuable lesson for us He sought happiness through: Wisdom Pleasure Wealth Power

19. Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. Ecclesiastes 4:13

20. However, he learned late in life that the only way to obtain true happiness and lasting satisfaction is by trusting God and letting Him direct his steps

21. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6

22. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

23. However, he learned late in life that the only way to obtain true happiness and lasting satisfaction is by trusting God and letting Him direct his steps How meaningless is life if this is all there is and no life awaits us beyond the grave Just as sad to realize too late that you have neglected the important things

24. Consider the admonitions of Solomon to “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…”

25. “Remember Now” The Urgency of Remembering

26. “Remember”- to mark, acknowledge Have many ways to help us remember- string on finger, calendars, organizers, sticky notes, etc. “Remembering” carries with it more than the mental concept that God is, but also the idea of recognizing His authority, obeying His Will

27. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Galatians 2:10

28. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Hebrews 13:7

29. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5

30. History bears record of many who forgot (failed to remember) the Lord

31. Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number. Jeremiah 2:32

32. They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Psalm 106:21

33. Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness. This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood. Jeremiah 13:24, 25

34. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind... I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. For Israel hath forgotten his Maker… Hosea 8:3, 7, 12, 14

35. History bears record of many who forgot (failed to remember) the Lord “Now” reveals the urgency in recognizing and accepting His authority, and in doing His will The past is irretrievable; the future is not guaranteed; “now” is all we have for certain

36. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) II Corinthians 6:2

37. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:12-15

38. Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:13, 14

39. NOW” “Remember

40. “Remember Now Thy Creator” The One to be Remembered

41. God IS- regardless of what man’s “wisdom” might teach and “science” might present The realization that He is Creator and we are the created is paramount above all concepts and basic to our understanding of other eternal principles and doctrines

42. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

43. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24

44. God IS- regardless of what man’s “wisdom” might teach and “science” might present The realization that He is Creator and we are the created is paramount above all concepts and basic to our understanding of other eternal principles and doctrines Numerous and irrefutable are the evidences for His existence

45. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1

46. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

47. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they

48. are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:18-22

49. Memorials set the stage especially for following generations who were not present for whatever or whomever is being remembered The farther removed we are from an event or notable person, the less likely we are to remember No generation has been farther removed from the time of the cross

50. We must be sure to maintain the matters of memorial for what God has done and what He continues to do for us