Remember when? Throughout my 36 years, God has granted me some deeply rewarding, long-lasting friendships. A dozen or so numbers nestled away in my phone’s contact list represent relationships with guys, who I’ve known since we were all just kids. We worked, biked, hiked, camped, fished, wrestled, boxed, debated, and planned a whole slew of other antics as we grew up together.
We’ve celebrated at each other’s weddings, cheered one another on at the birth of our children, and challenged each other to devotedly follow the way of Jesus. I could call any of these men at the drop-of-a-hat and we’d pick up right where we left off. In fact, I just spoke with one last week who lives in California. Next week, we’re going to spend an evening with another good friend who is raising his family down near Brighton.
Atop Mt. Oberlin in Glacier National Park | Summer 2007
Without fail, at least half of our conversations begin with, “Hey do you remember when…?”
Laughter ensues as we retell our perspectives on the crazy trip to Washington, D.C., the cross-state cycling journey, our evangelistic efforts in downtown Flint, or the campout in the dead of winter. We look back with fond memories, but also some wise evaluation of how we’ve ended up where we are now. We reflect on some regrets and discuss how we’d like to plan for the future.
Most importantly, as we remember the experiences, choices, and outcomes of our youth, the conversation moves toward the grace and power of God. We give thanks for what He has done in our lives. We praise Him for how we’ve grown in our understanding of who He is and of His plan for our families. We recall how we were often self-centered jerks, ignorantly arrogant, or just plain stupid (like the time I attempted to climb a giant, sheer cliff without properly roping up).
Through all of this, we pause to recognize the shocking, unbelievable kindness and mercy of God.
So we remember.
As we talked about two weeks ago at Mayfair Bible Church in my message on DNA: Core Value #3: Vibrant Worship, the first movement in the biblical theology of worship is intentional remembrance. Just as all believers have entered into covenant with God in Christ by faith, so we are to recall His faithfulness to us in the past and our responsibilities as the faithful in the present. The entirety of God’s Word is replete with examples of worshiping through remembrance (see Gen 8:1, 9:14-15; Exod 6:5-6, 13:1, 20:8; Psa 20:7; 105:42; Luke 1:54; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Rev 2:1-5).
By reminding ourselves of God and His faithfulness, we are encouraged to take hope and endure in the faith despite hardship and difficulty. The prophet Jeremiah enters into worship this way after the demise of Jerusalem:
“My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind [lit. “bring back to my heart/mind”], and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:20-23).
God’s people may be discouraged in times of stress and tribulation. Yet we can have faith in the faithful One. As Dr. Jim Allman always reminded us during seminary class lectures, “what God has done in the past is a promise and model for the future, but He is too creative to do it the same way twice.” God has been faithful, He is faithful, and He will be faithful.
The public reading of Scripture and the preaching of God’s Word call God’s people to worship through remembrance. Finally, for believers in our age, covenant remembrance is most fully performed in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper:
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | NASB)
Our communion around the Table correlates to the second position of the heart in worship: a confident anticipation of the hope of glory.
We know that in Christ we have been made right before God. Yet we also have a future anticipation deeply seated in our hearts and minds. We have the hope of the resurrection and the hope of His return, and “we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
And we will celebrate.
In Christ Alone,
This coming Sunday at Mayfair Bible Church – Michigan, we’ll gather around the Lord’s Table for communion during our 10:45 AM worship service. I urge you to come with hearts prepared through intentional remembrance of God’s great love, truth, and power. We’ll also enjoy fellowship and Bible study at our 9:15 AM Bible classes for all ages. We’ll also hear from a young missionary, Alyssa Carrell, who recently returned from Africa.
I’m praying for and anticipating by faith a great work of God among us this coming Lord’s Day!
Church @ The Park
Just in case you missed it, check out our Church @ The Park (on June 23) video invite, with a special message for Mayfair family. Click on the image to watch the video on our YouTube channel or click below:
