A
MONUMENTAL OCCASION
Great
events in history are often marked by monuments that are intended to
remind us & keep them before us.
To
teach future generations
For
the benefit of eyes who were not present to see Plymouth
Rock
- A reminder of the first settlers from Europe seeking religious
freedom.
In
Washington DC there are many
monuments
Washington
Monument
- In memory of the "father of our nation" and an honest man
of integrity.
Lincoln
Memorial
- In memory of "honest Abe" & one who had faith in God
- a leader
among
men during dark days in our nation's early history.
Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier
&
Arlington Cemetery - Korean Memorial - Vietnam Memorial - World War 2
Memorial
Grim
reminders of bravery and the price of freedom that was paid by so
many.
Statue
of Liberty
- A reminder of freedom & its invitation to the world.
None
of these monuments compare to those found in God's word.
In
its pages are found a storehouse of great events - all pointing
toward the central theme of the bible; Jesus Christ.
Physical
death
- A reminder of sin's introduction in the garden of Eden. Teach
children!
Gen.
2:17 "but
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in
the day you eat of it you shall surely die."
A
reminder of man's separation from God because of sin:
Rom.
5:12 "Therefore,
just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through
sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned -"
Rainbow
- A reminder of God's wrath on man's wickedness & His mercy on
His faithful. Also
a reminder of God's faithfulness in His covenants. We
did not see it
Gen.
9:8-17 God promised not to destroy earth by another flood.
Also
an opportunity to
teach future generations.
2
Pet. 3:1-7 The earth is reserved for a final destruction by fire.
Crossing
the Jordan
- God provided a memorial for them to remember this event.
Josh.
3:14 - 4:7 A monument of 12 stones on the west bank of the Jordan would
serve as an opportunity to
teach future generations.
The
Passover
-
A reminder of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
Ex.
12:1-27 A memorial of freedom to
be taught to future generations.
The
greatest monument in human history looks to a cross
The
Lord's Supper
- A reminder of our deliverance from the bondage of sin.
Mt.
26:26-29 Jesus instituted this memorial before His death. It
is a reminder of our deliverance from the bondage of sin:
Rom.
6:17-18 "But
God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered
(entrusted).
(18) And having been set free from sin, you became
slaves of righteousness."
1
Cor. 6:20 "For
you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and
in your spirit, which are God's.
Eph.
2:1-13 A reminder for
future generations
- "in the ages to come"
Eph.
1:3 "Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."
1
Cor. 11:23-ff A memorial to be observed when assembling together. Failure
to do so leads to spiritual weakness & death.
Heb.
10:1-30 Looking to Jesus' sacrifice - be faithful to remember.
INVITATION
The
Statue of Liberty beckons the weary to come to our shore for relief:
"Give
me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath
free, the wretched
refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed
to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Jesus
invites all who are weary to come to Him for relief from the burden
of sin:
Mt.
11:28-30 "Come
to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My
yoke is easy and My burden is light."