DEEP DIVE: MISSION POSSIBLE - Part 4 “My Story”
REMINDERS TO REMEMBER
Deuteronomy 8:18, “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”
Throughout Scripture we find reminders to remember what God has done. As Moses reminded Israel to remember God’s faithfulness, we too are called to remember where we were, what we were rescued from, and that God is the one who provides what we need to fulfill what He calls us to do. Let us focus on remembering.
Hebrews 8:12, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
As we remember what God has done to provide His people with freedom through salvation, we are also called to remember His promise to “never again remember their sins.” Because of Jesus’s blood that covers our sins, God chooses to never remember our past failures. This is something that we need to claim and hold on to, because if God does not remember them, then we need to actively walk in the freedom from guilt and shame that Jesus died to give us.
Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”
God also calls His people to “remember to observe the Sabbath.” This is an area of remembrance that can be particularly challenging in today’s society that seeks constant movement. God worked six days on creation and took the seventh day to rest to provide a template, an example of what He is calling His children to do. God is so intentional, He knows that if He does not give us boundaries and a framework of instruction to follow, we will lose our way. We cannot be connected to Him fully, if we do not take time to practice the observation of the Sabbath rest, which is rest dedicated to communion with God alone.
Psalm 25:6-7, “Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.”
David shows us in Psalms how to make a habit of remembering and asking for God to remember His unfailing love for His children, while not remembering the sins of our youth. This is a good Scripture for us to memorize and cling to, especially when the world around us can shift our focus to forgetting the good things God has done and has done through us while being laser focused on past sins. God wants us to remember His unfailing and matchless love at all times. It is this remembering that we use as we share the testimony of what He has done in our lives with others.
THE PRACTICE OF REMEMBERING IS CRUCIAL TO THE LONGEVITY AND MATURITY OF OUR FAITH. GOD CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS AND DOES NOT WANT US TO DRIFT BACK THERE. IT IS THROUGH REMEMBERING HOW FAR WE HAVE COME THAT WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD. OUR REMEMBERING CAN BE USED AS A SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OTHERS AND CELEBRATION FOR US AS WE SHARE, “LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE!”
John 14:28-29, “Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.”
John captures the words of Jesus for us in this passage. One more final important thing to remember is the He is coming back for His children. Let us remember what He has told us, that He will return, and live our lives prepared for when He does. We do not know when that time will be, and that is why it is so important to share our testimony with others, to encourage them to pursue a relationship with Jesus before it is too late.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
God calls His children to be intentional about remembering. There are many things He wants us to remember - as we have read through this Deep Dive. Can you think of something besides what was covered previously that we need to remember as believers?
Read Isaiah 46.
What are some of the things God is calling Israel to remember in this passage? How are you at remembering what God has done and what He has promised? If this is a struggle for you, what are some things you can do to develop your practice of remembrance? Write out your thoughts and discuss them in your small group.
Is journaling something that came up during your discussion time? Journaling is a good way to document what God has done and the promises He has given. If the authors of the Bible had not taken the time to write down what was said to them, we would not be able to read their words and know more about God. Take some time right now to journal your testimony. Use the questions that Pastor Shaun shared at the end of the message to guide you. When you are done, take a leap of faith and share your testimony with someone for practice.
It is important for believers to remember God’s promises. The assurance of these promises is something we can lean on when we face trying times.
What are some promises that God makes to all believers? Do you have a particular promise that He has made to you? Do you practice remembering these promises and walking in faith toward their fruition? If not, why? Take some time to really sit with this question before you write something down. Write down your thoughts, then ask God to expand your way of thinking.
Read 2 Peter 1. How does this passage shed light on what was asked above? Did you happen to think along these lines for your answers or does this passage help to open your eyes to the importance of remembering God’s promises and responding to them? What are some other thoughts or even questions that come to mind with this passage? Discuss with your small group.
Peter talks about building our confidence in what we have been told. What are some ways that your confidence is built? How about some ways that your confidence can be shaken? Take some time to journal a prayer to God asking Him to help you to stay strong in pursuing Him and His promises and to share your heart - with any struggles and doubts you might have. Know that He cares and He will meet you in your need.
Active remembering of all God has done in our lives is important in fighting complacency. When we do not practice active remembering we are more prone to forgetfulness and drifting away from God’s promises.
Read Revelation 2:1-7. What has happened to the church at Ephesus? Why do you think they received this warning? Discuss with your small group.
Have you ever experienced a time when you did not love God as you did at first? Think about the circumstances around that time. What are some warning signs that you can pay attention to in order to keep that from happening in the future? Discuss with your small group and come up with some ways that you can build guardrails to help your love for the Lord to not waver.
Select one passage of Scripture either from the message (sermon notes available on the Anchor app and website) or from Deep Dive that made an impact upon you. Write it down, post it where you can see it daily and commit to memorizing it. Take a minute to ask God what He wants you to glean from that passage, and then when He answers, step out in obedience as you walk boldly in His call for your life.
