What Should not be Forgotten?

Base Text: Hebrews 9:27 / Deuteronomy 6:12 / 2 Peter 1:9

INTRODUCTION:

A. It is a common human tendency to become complacent and self-assured, often leading to the false belief that everything will invariably work out well, regardless of our actions or choices.

B. In this state of self-satisfaction, individuals frequently neglect God, failing to acknowledge His presence and purpose in their plans and their overall way of life.

C. While it is natural for us to sometimes forget the kindnesses or actions of others, there are certain fundamental truths that we, as believers in Brazil, must never allow to fade from our memory. To forget these crucial realities is to jeopardize our souls, the most precious possession we have.

-- Ads --

I. WE SHOULD NOT FORGET GOD

• A. God Himself warned His people throughout Scripture against the perilous act of forgetting Him.

◦ Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children."

◦ Deuteronomy 4:32: "For ask now of the days that are past, which were before your time, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of." (Remembering God's mighty acts).

◦ Deuteronomy 6:12: "then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Forgetting God after experiencing His deliverance).

◦ Deuteronomy 8:14: "then your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery..." (The danger of forgetting God in times of prosperity).

◦ Tragically, despite these clear warnings, the people of God repeatedly disobeyed and turned away from Him.

◦ Judges 3:7: "And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth." (The direct consequence of forgetting God).

• B. What are the inevitable consequences when we forget God?

◦ Psalm 106:13-14: "But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness and put God to the test in the desert." (Forgetting God leads to impatience and testing Him).

◦ Psalm 106:21: "They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt..." (Forgetting God leads to ingratitude for His saving acts).

◦ When we allow God to slip from our minds and hearts, we become vulnerable to the allure of evil and easily fall into patterns of disobedience.

• C. Sadly, this dangerous forgetfulness is prevalent even today.

◦ 2 Peter 1:9: "For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins." (Forgetting the cleansing and forgiveness received through Christ).

◦ By forgetting the depth of our sin and the transformative grace that brought us out of darkness, many are tempted to drift back into worldly ways and lose sight of their salvation.

II. WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT WE MUST DIE

• A. Many people live their lives with a profound denial of their own mortality, acting as if they are exempt from death.

◦ It is not uncommon to hear even young individuals say, “When I am old and have lived my life, then I will seek God.”

◦ However, this is a dangerous and often fatal illusion.

◦ James 4:13-14: "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (The uncertainty and brevity of life).

• B. The Bible consistently describes human life as something transient, brief, and fleeting.

◦ Job 7:7: "Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good."

◦ Job 7:16: "I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are a breath."

◦ Psalm 78:39: "He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and does not come again."

◦ Psalm 103:14: "For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."

◦ Psalm 39:5: "Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!" (Our days are likened to a shadow, a fleeting breath, a sigh).

◦ Youth and vitality offer no guarantee against the inevitability of death.

• C. The reality is that death is a universal appointment; every single one of us will face it.

◦ Psalm 49:10-12: "For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called their lands by their own names. But man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish." (Death comes to all, regardless of wisdom or status).

◦ Hebrews 9:27: "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment..." (The certainty and finality of death).

• D. Many procrastinate their commitment to God, foolishly thinking, “Later I will return, later I will repent.”

◦ But that “later” may never arrive, as death can come suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving no opportunity for repentance or reconciliation with God.

III. LET US NOT FORGET THAT WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD

• A. To live a life of unrestrained self-indulgence and disregard for God's commands is to fundamentally forget the reality of future judgment.

◦ Ecclesiastes 11:9: "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." (Freedom comes with accountability).

• B. We will be held accountable for every word we have spoken.

◦ Matthew 12:36-37: "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (The seriousness of our speech).

◦ Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (The standard for our communication).

• C. We will also be held accountable for every deed we have done.

◦ 2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (The universality of judgment for actions).

◦ Romans 14:12: "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Individual accountability before God).

◦ Hebrews 9:27: "...and just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." (Judgment follows death).

• D. Let us never lose sight of this final and inevitable judgment.

◦ Therefore, in light of this future accountability, let us strive to live our lives according to God's perfect will and standards here in Brazil.

◦ 2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (The call to diligent living in preparation for judgment).

CONCLUSION:

A. While human beings are prone to forgetfulness in many areas of life, there are three fundamental truths that we, as followers of Christ, must engrave upon our hearts and never forget: We must not forget God, we must not forget that we will die, and we must not forget that we will give an account to God. Let these realities shape our lives and guide our steps as we live for Him .

What Should not be Forgotten?