Great Memorials of the Bible

1. Read: 2 Peter 1:12-15 – “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”

2. About the Text:

1) God wants us to remember His great works.

2) When people forget God, bad things happen – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

3. God has helped us remember by providing memorials. Let’s look at a few.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Background to the Passover

1) The children of Israel were in bondage to Egypt.

2) God sent Moses as a deliverer.

3) He then sent nine plagues to convince Pharaoh to release them.

4) The tenth plague was the death of the firstborn.

2. The Passover (1-13).

1) The night of the tenth plague, God gave Israel special instructions.

2) They were to kill a lamb and put the blood on the doorposts and lintel.

3) This way they could save their firstborn from death.

3. The Memorial (14-20).

1) God commanded the Passover to be observed every year.

2) It reminded them that God delivered them from Egyptian bondage.

3) It memorialized God’s salvation of His people.

1. The most holy place “…had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant” (Hebrews 9:4).

2. A memorial of God’s law – the two tablets (Deut.31:24-26).

3. A memorial of God’s provision – pot of manna (Exodus 16:32-34).

4. A memorial of God’s plan – Aaron’s rod (Numbers 17:6-11).

1. Background

1) The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years.

2) It was time to enter the promised land.

3) They were to cross the Jordan river.

2. The crossing of the Jordan.

1) God stopped the waters of the Jordan before the Ark of the Covenant.

2) The children of Israel crossed on dry ground.

3) After they crossed the Jordan, twelve men from each tribe took twelve stones.

4) They left the stones where they spent the night on the other side of the Jordan.

3. The memorial.

1) A sign that God stopped up the waters of Jordan.

2) “That this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:6-7).

3) It memorialized God’s power.

1. Background

1) It was the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.

2) He would soon be crucified.

3) He had assembled with his disciples in the house of Simon the leper.

2. The Memorable Act

1) A woman brought an alabaster jar of spikenard.

2) It was very expensive.

3) She broke the jar and anointed Jesus’ head with it.

4) The disciples criticized her for being wasteful.

3. The Memorial

1) Jesus defended her and memorialized her good deed.

2) “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:6-9).

3) God takes what we are able to do.

1. Background

1) Jesus met with his disciples prior to his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

2) He wanted to observe the Passover with them.

2. Event

1) Jesus ate bread and drank the fruit of the vine with the disciples.

2) “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”” (Luke 22:19).

3. The memorial.

1) We memorialize Jesus death on the cross.

2) “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

1. The Bible contains some great memorials for us to remember God’s great works.

1) The Passover

2) The Ark of the Covenant

3) The Stones of the Jordan

4) The Woman with the Alabaster Jar

5) The Lord’s Supper

2. Invitation