Five Things Every Christian Should Remember

Introduction

1. In life there are many things we must remember (ex. Brush teeth, wash hands, etc...).
2. How well we do at remembering something depends upon how important it is to us.
3. Little boys rarely remember to brush their teeth when they're away from home.
4. And sometimes we need to be reminded of things, even as adults.
5. This morning I would like to speak to you about five things that every Christian should remember.
6. Most of us know these things, but we need to be reminded occasionally, (2 Pet. 1:12,13). Every Christian should remember that there is...

1. A God To Worship

   1. Man has a natural inclination to worship- everyone worships something.
      1. God does not have to command man to worship, it is built in.
      2. There is in man a longing for something more, to reach out for it.
      3. Solomon explains, "Also He has put eternity in their hearts..." (Eccl 3:11).
   2. The challenge is to worship God
      1. Satan tried to get Jesus to worship him, (Matt 4:8-10). He tries to get us to as well.
      2. Even John the apostle felt compelled to worship an angel, (Rev. 22:8,9).
      3. True worship, (John 4:24) is what God desires.
      4. Consider the appeal of idolatry, (Dan. 3 Nebuchadnezzar's image)
      5. The God we serve is bigger than any image of Gold, (Isa. 40:25,26; Ps. 96:9).

2. A Christ To Serve John 12:26

   1. To serve Christ is to live for Him, even if it means losing all, (Jn. 12:25; Lk. 14:33; Ph. 1:21).
   2. Everyone serves something, (Rom 6:16,17)
      1. Some serve themselves, (Ph. 2:20,21; Jam, 3:16).
      2. Don't realize they're serving Satan, (1 Tim. 5:15; John 8:44).

3. A Church To Support

   1. The importance of the church
      1. Built by Christ, (Mt 16:16-18)
      2. Purchased with His blood, (Acts 20:28, note: the church are the people not the building).
      3. Accomplished the eternal purpose of God, (Eph. 3:11).
   2. We need to support the church with more than just our money
      1. With our time and talent, (Eph. 4:16).
      2. With our treasures, (Mt. 6:21; consider the church in Antioch, Acts 11:27-30)
      3. With our tongue, (Eph. 4:29,15; James 3:9; Heb. 10:24,25)

4. A Time To Die Heb. 9:27

   1. Death is an appointment every man must keep.
   2. Two rich men failed to prepare.
      1. Parable of rich fool, (Lk. 12:13-21).
      2. Account of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31)

5. A Judgment To Face Heb. 9:27b

   1. All will be raised in the same hour, (Jn 5:28,29)
      1. Not as some teach concerning an invisible rapture followed by a tribulation period.
      2. There will be no second chances once this takes place.
   2. All will appear before the Judgment seat, (2 Cor. 5:10)
      1. To receive the things done in the body: it matters how we live.
      2. Eccl. 12:13,14 "every work brought into judgment"
   3. Picture of the judgment (Rev. 20:11-15)
      1. Material universe destroyed, (2 Pet. 3:10).
      2. Books opened- Mal 3:16 book of remembrance; Jn. 12:48 the scriptures
      3. Another book- the book of life

Conclusion

1. We need to remember these things, to keep them before us always, knowing that this life is brief compared to eternity.
2. How can we know if we're saved, if our name is written in the book of life?
3. Rev. 20:6 There is much speculation and false teaching about this text, yet notice that the first resurrection frees one from the power of the second death(eternal hell).
4. What is this first resurrection?
5. The first resurrection occurs when
   1. One hears the gospel (Rom. 10:17)
   2. Believes in Jesus as the Son of God (Jn. 3:16)
   3. Repents of sin (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30)
   4. Confesses Jesus as the Christ (Rom. 10:10)
   5. Is baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sin, (Rom 6:4; Col 2:11,12).

References

1. Title and main points taken from Barnes Bible Charts, care of Standing in the Gap, the weekly bulletin published by the church of Christ meeting in Nesbit, MS. July 2, 2006, p 1.