Introduction: The story goes that Albert Einstein was traveling by train one day. The railroad conductor walked by and asked Mr. Einstein for his boarding ticket, which had his name inscribed and information recorded about where he was traveling. However, he could not find the ticket anywhere, as he searched and searched. Digging in his pockets and emptying his billfold resulted in finding nothing at all. Ten minutes later, the conductor returned and saw Mr. Einstein on his hands and knees looking for his tickets….he kept repeating, “I have got to find my ticket!” The conductor shouted, “Don’t worry about it!” “We all know who you are…we know you, Mr Einstein”! To which, Albert Einstein replied, “I know who I am also, but what I do not know is WHERE I AM GOING!”

I hope & trust you not only know WHO you are but also know WHERE you are going!

1. REMEMBER WHO you are!

(Isaiah 6:5)

Isaiah knew who he was after seeing the glory of the Lord.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

(Luke 5:8)

Peter knew who he was after witnessing a mighty miracle from the Lord Jesus.

“8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Paul knew who he was after being converted on the road to Damascus.

(1Tim 1:12-17)

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Do you REMEMBER who you are? But please do not STOP there! Because next, we need to REMEMBER WHOSE we are!

2. REMEMBER WHOSE you are!

(1Cor 15:10)

Paul writes,

“10But by the grace of God I am what I am.”

Again,

(2Tim 1:12)

“…or the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Again,

(1Cor 6:19,20)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Truthfully, we are blood – bought and blood – washed! Jesus has redeemed us. That is, He bought us back from the slave market of sin, and set us free.

3. REMEMBER WHERE you are going!

(Phil 3:20,21)

“20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

Heaven is our home! We are marching to Zion, the beautiful city of God, whose builder and maker is Jesus!

Conclusion: This MEMORIAL Day we not only need to REMEMBER those who have gone on before us, but also WHO and WHOSE we are, and WHERE we are going!

Will you invite somebody to go to heaven?

Introduction: I talked with a man recently who is worth 7 MILLION dollars. He kept repeating, “I want to be a BLESSING”!

First things first – we are not made right with God based on good WORKS!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)

Whether you have 7 MILLION dollars or 7 dollars, our Lord made us to be a BLESSING. This does not always mean monetarily. It can include being a BLESSING of encouragement, offering helps, showing compassion, or caring by praying.

Last night a CHRISTian lady asked me to pray for her son in law…We prayed, trusting our Lord for His will. Shortly, I will be meeting with an elderly man, just met – who lost his wife just a few months ago. He needs to talk. Perhaps he wants to share as he grieves.

“40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt 25:40)

While the TECHNICAL INTERPRETATION of this passage is during the conclusion of the tribulation, called the “Judgement of the Nations,” the PRACTICAL APPLICATION can refer to what we do today for the brethren.

Jesus will reward us if our motives are pure and our focus is for His GLORY!

By the way, there are some things MONEY cannot buy!

For instance:

• The Peace of God
• The Joy of the Lord
• The Grace of God
• The Love of God
• The Purpose of God
• The Power of God

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matt 25:35,36)

The same principle applies here as in the previous point, #1.

While the TECHNICAL INTERPRETATION of this passage is during the conclusion of the tribulation, called the “Judgement of the Nations,” the PRACTICAL APPLICATION can refer to what we do today for the brethren.”

“31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matt 25:31-33)

While again the TECHNICAL INTERPRETATION of this passage is during the timeframe of the conclusion of the tribulation, it is a REMINDER that 7 years prior to this event will be the RAPTURE of the Church which afterwards follows the JUDGEMENT SEAT of Christ.

Every believer will either be rewarded or suffer lost (rewards) even though saved and going to heaven.

Conclusion: Have you been BLESSED? Have you purposed in your heart to be a BLESSING to somebody? We need to double check and make sure our motives are right, our focus is right, our heart is right, and then Trust Jesus to BLESS us because He will make it Right!

1. REMEMBER – Jesus Christ has set us FREE from SIN’S PENALTY!

Paul writes,

“23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

The word “wages” is ὀψώνιον, (op-so’-nee-on), which means pay, wages, salary, reward.

John writes in the book of Revelation these words concerning the future judgement-called the GREAT WHITE THRONE:

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:11-15)

Now to the GOOD NEWS:

“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Other verses in Scripture verify this GOOD NEWS:

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (1 Cor 5:21)

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Cor 15:3-4)

2. REMEMBER – Jesus has set us FREE from SIN’S POWER!

“2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:2-4)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

3. REMEMBER – Jesus will set us FREE one glorious day from the PRESENCE of SIN!

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev 21:22-27)

Introduction: Don’t forget God! Israel did.

“21They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.” (Psa 106:21)

You can.
And I can.
Not on purpose, but we get so preoccupied with life, things, family, work, bills, children, health, etc.

1. Don’t Forget God for who He is!

“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel.” (Psa 106:13)

2. Don’t forget God for what He’s done!

“That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.” (Psa 106:5)

3. Don’t forget we need God!

“We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.” (Psa 106:7-12)

Conclusion: How do we treat Jesus? Just need Him when we are in trouble? Just call upon Him when things are bad?

Truthfully, we want the Lord to REMEMBER us! Right? (Psa 106:4,47,48)

Let’s not forget to honor and bless our Lord Jesus daily!

Introduction: Our Lord blesses us with good memories! The devil wants us to remember the bad things, but Solomon writes,

“The memory of the just is blessed.” (Prov 10:7)

I love that verse. I shared that verse with my dad shortly before he went to be with Jesus. It’s special.

Do you REMEMBER the goodness of God?
Has Jesus been good to you?
Do you REMEMBER to give thanks?

Do we Love the Lord Jesus….because He first loved us?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)

1. Remember the fallen soldiers who fought for our freedom!

“13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

2. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ who fought for our freedom and won the battle over death, hell, sin and the grave!

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14)

3. Remember the fallen CHRISTian soldiers who are fighting for our CHRISTian freedom!

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Tim 2:3-4)

Many believers have been martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Down through the centuries the blood is said to flow knee-deep from those who refused to deny our Risen Lord and Coming Bridegroom, and consequently died for their faith. How can we casually serve the One who gave His all to set us FREE?

4. Remember our law enforcement and public servants who are fighting for our freedom! 

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Rom 13:3-4)

5. Remember our Church “servant leaders” who are fighting for our freedom!

“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here….

“10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” (Col 4:7-15)

Introduction: What? “Pass the Pain Please.” No thank you. Are you crazy? How can we say, “Pass the Pain Please”?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:5-11)

Jesus experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual PAIN as He took our (my) place on the cross. Yet, He became obedient unto death. Check out Hebrews 5:8:

“8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

If Jesus, God the Son, experienced obedience through suffering, how much more will we?

2. Speaking of PAIN, Take what Jesus said about His followers, for example.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

The Word “CROSS” spells D-E-A-T-H! DEATH to self! That is PAINFUL! SELF had been in control for most of our lives.
SELF does not want to die easily. Let’s face it. It hurts to die to our own ideas, our own ways, our friends, music, TV, computer, dress, etc. all that leaves Jesus out. It seems so much easier to give in to the FLESH. Right? But what we do not realize at the time is that there will be reaping where we have sown….sowing to the flesh, and consequently reaping corruption.

Conclusion: When we suffer, especially because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we identify with Him. It pleases our Father. We are comforted and blessed by our Lord when we identify with Him.

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Pet 2:21)

The word “suffer” is πάσχω, which means I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

Are you suffering today? Please distinguish between self-imposed PAIN (sowing to the flesh) vs suffering PAIN because of our relationship with Jesus. God honors and blesses His children as we suffer for His name’s sake.

Introduction: Parenting is not easy! It takes GRACE!! God’s GRACE. Do you agree? By the way, even as our children move out of the house, we are still fulfilling our role as a parent….it’s lifelong. They need our encouragement, counsel, and sometimes help….believe it or not!

On a lighter note, someone has suggested if they had to do it over again, they might have had GRANDCHILDREN first! Anyway, there seems to be several biblical principles we can practice when parenting. What our Lord said thru Moses to the children of Israel, can be applied in our life today. Listen carefully:

(Deut 6:1-8)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

1. By Teaching them the Word of God (biblical worldview in a secular world)! (Deut 6:7)

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

CHALLENGE: For us to learn the Word of God!

2. By SHOWING them how to LIVE out the WORD of God by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Deut 6:8,9)

“And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

3. First TEACHING them , then SHOWING them, and finally LET them do it! (Deut 6:12-15)

“Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you).”

As much as we would LOVE to live out our lives in our children, they have to flesh it out. That’s the hard part! We want fix it, when they go wrong. Whether deliberately or not, we can become ENABLERS! That is not the God- given goal.

How are you doing in this area?
Do you need to let the line out?
Do you need to tighten it a little?

Pray. Take some time right now, and evaluate where you are at and your children – grandchildren. Trust the Lord to make the changes necessary. When all is said and done… Give Him the GLORY!

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3)

Speaking of PERSECUTION, Jesus set the example that we are to follow.

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Pet 2:21-23)

2. Consider what Paul was inspired to write about CHRISTian PERSECUTION!

“12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12)

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim 2:12)

Certainly, he experienced his share of PERSECUTION!

3. Check out what Peter had to say about the subject of PERSECUTION!

4. Listen to the historian and physician, Luke’s description of the early Church’s PERSECUTION!

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide…..”

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 4, 5)

Introduction: Are you STANDING on the PROMISES of God? Instead of sitting on our PROBLEMS, our Lord wants us to Stand in His PROMISES!

Do you remember this song?

Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God…

3. The PROMISE to Forgive sin!

Text: Isaiah 55:6-7

Introduction: Pardon is a SWEET word! Say it. PARDON. Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah who was inspired by the Lord:

• The word “pardon” is  סָלַח (saw-lakh’), which means to forgive, pardon.

Instead of giving us what we deserve, which is  judgment, Jesus washes our sins away thru His precious, cleansing blood…as we turn from sin and turn toward Him in childlike trust.

A man who was PARDONED named Peter writes:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Pet 3:18)

And again:

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1Pet 2:21-24)

Another man who was PARDONED by the Lord Jesus was Paul. In his letter to the Romans while emphasizing the JUSTIFYING GRACE of Jesus Christ writes,  

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom 4:25)

After describing man’s despicable sinfulness Isaiah writes,

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

• Do you hold grudges?
• Do you go to bed mad?
• Do you need Jesus to PARDON you?

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Writing to the Colossian believers Paul says,

Conclusion: PARDON means forgiven. Have you been PARDONED? Because of our disobedience and waywardness, we all need to be PARDONED. Once we have been forgiven, then we have the resurrection power available to PARDON others….family, friends and neighbors!