Lifelong Reminders

Church Family Series: Lifelong Reminders

26 March 2017

Pr Joseph Tang

2 Peter 1:12-15

12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Introduction
- Joseph and his alarms
- we are forgetful
- we need "interruptions" in our lives which can be blessings

Like alarm clocks, we need reminders to wake up, we need reminders like alarms in life. God has given us reminders and alarms, like divine timing and opportunities, if we miss it, we be left behind.

Why do we need Godly reminders?

i) Blind spot - 

We don't know the things we don't know! Need someone to tell us what we don't know, to show us our blind spots. 

ii) Forgetful - 

We are very forgetful sometimes. How could the Israelites forgot God's providence and guidance after Egypt so fast? But yet they did.

iii) Ungrateful - 

Malachi - how God argued the ungrateful nature of beings.

We come to worship to be reminded through songs, psalms and sermons and sharing about how great a God we serve.

Nature of reminders

i) Long lasting - 

Verse 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

ii) Loving reminders -

- sometimes we give reminders without bothering whether they last, but they should last
- how? Remind with love, it lasts longer; contrast with restrictions without reasoning or loving persuasion. People who gives us reminders with love are the ones who trully love us.

iii) Holy Spirit's Reminder -
Holy Spirit is in the business of reminding people of God' s doings and faithfulness in our life.

- with the help of Holy Spirit; it is Holy Spirit who will bring to mind the reminders 

Target of reminders

i) Reminding despite you know-

- reminders are because we lack doing them, not due to lack of knowledge;

Because one does not get it or do not do it, if you truly know, why didn't you do it?

It may sound like nagging, parents will keep on reminding the same things because the kids do not do it.

ii) Reminding because it's unpleasant to do-
- one reason is we find them unpleasant, annoying (like nagging), but we miss out if we brush them away without considering; younger ones, learn to listen; older ones, think abt how you remind;
- Galatians 2 - when Peter was confronted by Paul for shrinking back from table fellowship with the Gentiles; he needed a reminder; there are times when we lose sight of our purpose due to system or norm or our position/image; 

iii) Stubbornness 

Stiff neck people 

Stubbornness is like idolatry.

We refuse to accept criticism but yet we criticise freely.

Sources of reminders

i) It could come from someone lower than ourselves.

Revelations easily outdo experiences- we seek revelation more than just mere experinces in life.

ii) People can remind us but it's better if it comes from ourselves 

Psalmist often wrote: Oh my soul, .... self-reflections, seeking corrections from God.

- the best way to be reminded is when we remind ourselves
- prodigal son only repented when he came to his own senses
- the psalmist reminded himself "oh my soul, why so downcast?"
- ultimately, God is THE Source of our being reminded
- Joseph shared his experience of hearing from God during a worship time, when the Lord reminded him he had been relying on his own skills but where is the passion? Another time was during prayer meeting when God brought to his mind about tithing a sum from a love gift he received;
- these encounters revealed God cares about our relationships with him.

Conclusion
Don't stop drawing close to God. Life is so good when God is so near. May we commit our lives to Him and know His presence. Besides the nagging and nonsense, there is also the nudging from Holy Spirit. Be open to His reminders. Learn to remind ourselves and remind others.

Questions:
1) Describe an experience of timely reminder from others/self/God.

2) Talk about reminders that are still guiding your life even though the people who gave those reminders are no longer around you.

3) Godly reminders keep us close to God and in His will. It is important that we constantly receive and give such reminders. What will you do from now on to constantly get and give godly reminders? From whom will you get them? To whom will you give them?