In the Bible, God’s people found ways to “remember” important events in their lives. They remembered, memorialized and celebrated ways in which God had helped them, worked miracles and blessed them.
The word “remember” is used 217 times in the Bible. Some of the annual feasts and celebrations of God’s people would include: Sabbath when they would remember creation by resting. Passover helped them to remember the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Unleavened bread helped them remember the hasty exodus from Egypt. Firstfruits helped them remember the blessing of God‘s bounty. Weeks (Pentecost, harvest) helped them remember the harvest blessings. Trumpets helped them remember to seek God’s blessing in the new year. Atonement helped them to remember to seek God’s forgiveness. Tabernacles helped them to remember the journey from Egypt to Canaan. Purim helped them to remember the deliverance of the Jews from the genocide in Persia.
The desire to remember what God had done motivated the Israelites to create memorials. Exodus 12:7 – 8, Joshua 4, Exodus 14, 1 Samuel 7:12
We are instructed in the Bible many times to remember God and His works! To list a few:
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 77:11, “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember the wonders of old.”
Psalm 105:5 “Remember his marvelous works that he has done.”
Psalm 143:5 “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.”
Even Jesus at his final Passover meal said “Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26 We as a church remember Christ’s sacrificial death until he comes again through communion.
In America most of us celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, achievements like graduations and other special events. We celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4th as well as many others! These national holidays are to remember, they have a purpose. We should remember blessings and sacrifices that have allowed us to prosper and survive as a nation. We should remember and be proactive in celebrating what God has done for us as a church and as well as each one of us personally.
Let us remember His Sacrifice, the price He paid! “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Remember where we came from! “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away;”
2 Corinthians 6:17-20
Remember what He has done for us personally! “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17, “…remember that thou was a bondman in Egypt and the LORD thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 24:18
So on Celebration Sunday we encourage each of us to REMEMBER & CELEBRATE:
God‘s goodness to Gospel Baptist Church
God has truly worked miracles for us at GBC
To praise him and thank him for his continued blessings
To recognize that God is in control and that he wants to continue to use us for his eternal purposes
To teach our children that they might know and recognize the hand of the Lord. Joshua 4:6, 22, 24
God Worked A Miracle For Us, In Relocating Us To This Location. We Don’t Want To Forget! We Praise Him For His Continued Blessings On Gospel Baptist Church. Since Last September, We Remember & Celebrate Because:
We paid off the facility during COVID! We baptized 13! Made improvements to our playground area, built a new stew shed that includes a grill and smoker. We added 6 new members! We have had at least 63 professions of faith in our services, children’s ministries, VBS, GAP, outreach ministries & in funerals! All to God’s glory!
Pastor Paul Luttrell, Senior Pastor
