The sermon titled "Our remembrance used by God" by Rowland Wheatley focuses on the theological significance of remembrance as expressed in Deuteronomy 8:1-2. Wheatley argues that God utilizes human memory in three distinct ways: to bring conviction of sin and humility, to strengthen the faith of His people, and to order His providential will. He supports his points with numerous Scripture references, including the Israelites' call to remember their past in Egypt, the example of David's sin with Bathsheba, and New Testament passages emphasizing the role of memory in faith (e.g., John 14:26). The sermon underscores the importance of remembrance not only as a command but also as a divine gift, essential for the spiritual growth and perseverance of believers.
Key Quotes
“The Lord uses remembrance to bring conviction of sin and to humble us.”
“God brings to remembrance things that we might think have been buried and forgotten.”
“Remember the day of our death, the day that we shall depart this life.”
“We are to remember, especially the things that the Lord has done for us, and especially at Calvary.”
The Bible emphasizes that we should remember all the ways the Lord has led us to humble us and strengthen our faith.
In Deuteronomy 8, the Lord commands His people to remember their journey through the wilderness to learn humility and keep His commandments. This act of remembrance serves two important purposes: it brings conviction of sin and strengthens faith. The act of looking back allows us to recognize God's faithfulness and provision, teaching us that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of the Lord. It's a divine reminder that, as Paul writes, what was written before is for our learning, providing us with patience, comfort, and hope.
Deuteronomy 8:1-3, Romans 15:4, 1 John 1:9
God uses remembrance to convict us of sin and to remind us of His grace and mercy.
The Lord uses our memories to bring about true conviction of sin, helping us recognize our past failures and shortcomings. Through biblical examples such as David and Joseph's brothers, we see that remembrance can lead to humility, repentance, and ultimately, growth in faith. It acts as a tool to shape our understanding of sin and grace, allowing us to appreciate the sacrifice of Christ even more. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit helps us recall the words of Scripture at pivotal moments, reinforcing God's promises and urging us to live in accordance with His will.
Deuteronomy 8:14, 2 Corinthians 7:10, John 14:26
Remembrance helps Christians reflect on God's grace, fosters humility, and strengthens their faith.
For Christians, recalling the past is vital as it serves both as a reminder of God's grace and as a mechanism for growth. When we remember our past sins and how the Lord has forgiven us, we experience humility that nurtures our spiritual walk. Remembrance encourages us to treasure God's mercy, enabling us to rely on His strength rather than our own in times of need. Additionally, it strengthens our faith by allowing us to see how God has intervened in our lives. Forgetting our past can lead us away from appreciating God's continual work in our lives and may foster spiritual complacency.
Psalm 77:11, Lamentations 3:21-23, James 4:6
God employs remembrance and forgetfulness to orchestrate events in our lives for His purposes.
In the grand scheme of providence, God utilizes both remembrance and forgetfulness to fulfill His divine plan. For instance, the forgetfulness of Pharaoh's cupbearer delayed Joseph's release from prison but ultimately led to a timely fulfillment of God's purpose for Israel and Egypt. This divine orchestration emphasizes that even in our forgetfulness, God is still working out His plan graciously and sovereignly. By bringing memories back at crucial moments, God ensures that His will is accomplished in ways that we may not immediately understand. Hence, remembrance has a profound role in affirming our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to weave together different threads of our lives.
Genesis 40:23, Esther 6:1-3, Isaiah 55:8-9
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