New Page 1

“MEMORIES”

Quality of Life Series

9/22/05

LEADER: Today we are going to do the Bible Study Tom would have been facilitating the week after he went to be with the Lord. It’s on memories, which seems a perfect way to start back up our UpTop Bible Studies. He left just short of Memorial Day.

LEADER: How’s your memory?

Our Daily Bread, December 27, 1996

http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=1734

According to Karen Bolla, a John’s Hopkins researcher, these are the things people most often forget:

1. names 83%

2. where something is 60%

3. telephone numbers 57%

4. words 53%

5. what was said 49%

6. faces 42%

And if you can’t remember whether you’ve just done something, you join 38 percent of the population.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “OK to Forget”

1. It’s OK to forget someone calling you the wrong name.

2. It’s OK to forget another’s inadequate words.

3. It’s OK to forget a faux pa.

4. It’s OK to forget a wrong suffered.

LEADER: Let’s look at some things we ought not to forget:

HAVE SOMEONE READ:“Remembering People”#1 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

At a commuter train station a policeman noticed a woman driver with her head bowed over the steering wheel in obvious discomfort. The police officer asked her, "Is there anything wrong?"

Half crying and half laughing, she said, "For ten years I have been driving my husband to this station every morning to catch this train. THIS MORNING I FORGOT HIM!"

HAVE SOMEONE READ:“Remembering People”#2 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

The worst forgetfulness of all is to forget people! One of the biggest lessons that we need to learn is that God didn’t put us here for us! God put us here for others!
II Corinthians 1:3-4 says: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE..."

LEADER: “Remembering People” #3 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

God put us here to remember people! We need to think of them in two ways:
1- Remember people in death
2- Remember people in life

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 11:1-5

¹Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ³So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." ⁴But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." ⁵Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

LEADER: “Remembering People”#4 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

Jesus loved people! What an understatement.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

LEADER: “Remembering People”#4 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

We all need to remember people in death in some form or another.

HAVE SOMEONE READ:“Remembering People”#5 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

Someone said, "Say goodbye to me, but not to the thought of me." Remember your loved ones who have gone before you. Remember and appreciate them. Remember and rejoice in their good. Remember and praise God for them

LEADER: “Remembering People”#6 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

"Say goodbye to me, but not to the thought of me." Remember people in death.

And…

We need to remember people in life. We need to remember them in any form that shows we care about them.

HAVE SOMEONE READ:“Remembering People”#7 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

Maggie Keeth was a member of the First Christian Church of Iberia, MO. She’s been with the Lord for some time now. She once said to me, "I believe in giving flowers to the living."
Flowers for the living. She remembered people in life, while they were still alive. She loved the living. We must do this as well and as well as we can. We may not get a second chance at loving some people. We’d better love them while we can.

LEADER: “Remembering People”#8 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

And there is one other thing we should think about in regard to remembering people in life.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 20:28

Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

LEADER: “Remembering People”#9 By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281
Christ was a servant of others. He didn’t stand around, waiting to served. He washed the feet of His disciples. He went about doing good. He healed people. He touched people. He connected with children. Instead of trying to run them down or run them off, He blessed them. Jesus was a servant of servants.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Remembering People” #10

By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

One time a man asked his friend, "By whose preaching were you converted?" The man replied, "Not by anyone’s preaching, but by mother’s practicing."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Philippians 2:3-4

³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Remembering People” #11

By Steve Shepherd EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46969&ContributorID=1281

Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding an international convention and their founder, Gen. William Booth, could not attend because of physical weakness. He cabled his convention message to them. It was one word: "OTHERS."

Lord, help me to live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for others.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for you
Must needs be done for others.

Let "self" be crucified and slain
And buried deep, and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again
Unless to live for others.

And when my work on earth is done
And my new work in heaven’s begun
May I forget the crown I’ve won
While thinking still of others.

Others, Lord, yes, others
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.

LEADER: We remembering people in life and in death, we need to remember those who have given their lives and service for our country.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Place For Sorrows” Our Daily Bread 5/25/98

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-25-98.shtml EXCERPT

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1982. In the first 15 years, 54,000 items were left at the Wall. It still takes almost an hour every night, and much longer on Memorial Day, to collect the mementos--a teddy bear, a photo of a soldier's grandchild, a letter from a daughter who never knew her dad.

Every item is labeled and taken to a warehouse. No one knows quite how to deal with it all. "No one ever expected this to happen," a park ranger says. "It's so personal. It caught everyone by surprise."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The World War II Memorial”

http://web.ask.com/web?o=8100&qsrc=65&q=memorial

The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Rest of The Story”

A story circulating on the internet:

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27.) It reminded me of the following story.
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and
service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer: I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences. In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award... he Medal Of Honor. f that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima... and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."! ; "Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting' shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life. That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, where'd they get you Lee?' "Well Bob... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!" Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo." On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian
minister dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm. America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy. Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst.
Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened. Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.

LEADER: Memorial Day is celebrated once a year, but the men and women it honors should be remembered daily in our hearts. We see Veterans every weekend at Granbury Live who have not been recognized or received a “thank you” in years if at all.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Build a Memorial”#1 By Thomas Dibble EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=58385&ContributorID=9879

I wonder if any of us take the time on Memorial Day to think about those who gave their lives for our freedom. I wonder if us parents gather our children around and explain to them the reason for the holiday.
In Washington D.C. there stands a stately monument called the Lincoln Memorial. It honors President Abraham Lincoln and the virtues of tolerance, honesty, and faithfulness in the human spirit. It was designed by Henry Bacon on a plan similar to that of the Parthenon in Athens. The structure includes 36 columns, each 44 feet high, made of Colorado marble. They surround the building one for each state that comprised the Union in Lincoln’s time. Inside, there sits a colossal 19foot seated statue of Lincoln that is made out of Georgia white marble. It sits on a pedestal of Tennessee marble and was designed by Daniel Chester French and carved by the Piccirilli brothers of New York. The statue dominates the interior and looks eastward across a reflecting pool at the Washington Monument and Capital. On the south wall is inscribed Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and on the north wall is his second Inaugural Address. Above are two paintings by Jules Guerin representing first “Reunion and Progress” and second “The Emancipation of a Race.” The cornerstone was laid in 1915 and it was completed and dedicated on Memorial Day in 1922.
We have the Lincoln Memorial to help us remember what a great man President Lincoln was and to help us remember the things that he accomplished while he was alive.
A memorial helps us keep a memory of something significant that has happened alive in our hearts and minds.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Build a Memorial” #2 By Thomas Dibble EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=58385&ContributorID=9879
All throughout the Bible God has ordained that there would be memorials. He has instituted the practice of building and having memorials in our life. It is beneficial for us to remember the things that Jesus has done in each of our lives.
In a Biblical sense a memorial is a sacrifice, a monument or an event that brings us into remembrance of something that God has done. The word memorial in scripture comes from a word that means to prick, to pierce, or to penetrate the memory.
The Bible says that the memory of the righteous is a blessing and it says of the wicked that his memory perishes from the earth.
So memorials are to aid man’s memory in preserving what he cherishes the most.

LEADER: Here is a biblical example:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Joshua 4:1-7

¹Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, ²"Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, ³and command them, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in ^(C)the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'" ⁴So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; ⁵and Joshua said to them, "Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. ⁶"Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' ⁷then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off ' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Memorial Stones” #1 By Gerald Flury EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47013&ContributorID=1734

In April 1863, in Columbus, Mississippi after decorating graves of her two sons who served during the Civil War as Confederate soldiers, an elderly woman also decorated two mounds at the corner of the cemetery. An observer asked, "What are you doing? Those are the graves of two Union soldiers." The reply, "I know. I also know that somewhere in the North, a mother or a young wife mourns for them as we do for ours." That little band of ladies set in motion what became Memorial Day. Memorial Day is set aside each year to remember those who gave their lives in the armed forces. We remember those who died on far away battle fields to bring freedom and democracy to oppressed peoples. We commemorate their actions by honoring them in ceremonies across the land. We sometimes call it Decoration Day because we decorate the graves of fallen heroes with flags and flowers. When Israel crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land for the first time, God commanded Joshua to pile up a mound of stones at the place. These stones were to become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever. They were memorial stones of God’s great grace.

LEADER: “Memorial Stones” #2 By Gerald Flury EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47013&ContributorID=1734

· Memorial stones were to serve as a basis of sharing faith with their children.

· Christianity is never more than one generation away from extinction.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Proverbs 22:28

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Memorial Stones” #3 By Gerald Flury EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47013&ContributorID=1734

· America as a nation has sought to remove the landmarks of Christianity.

· In 1962 - Prayer in schools was declared illegal

· In 1963 - Bible reading in Schools was declared illegal

· Circa 1980 – It was declared illegal to post the Ten Commandments in the schools

· Now the it’s the removal of any Christian vestige to our holidays.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Hebrews 12:1

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

LEADER: “Memorial Stones” #2 By Gerald Flury EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47013&ContributorID=1734

The enduring testimony of those who have gone before us has blessed us. Likewise, we should have a lasting testimony to those who follow after us.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/memory/?page=2

"One lives in the hope of becoming a memory."

Antonio Porchia 1886-1968 Italian Poet

LEADER: I would hope that we would want to lead a life in such a way that would leave a “good” memory.

LEADER: “Christian Hope” Our Daily Bread, May 29, 1995

http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=885

Several years ago, I read about James Lewis Pettigru. His life was so exemplary that after his death the community erected a tombstone inscribed with these words:

UNAWED BY OPINION, UNSEDUCED BY FLATTERY, UNDISMAYED BY DISASTER, HE CONFRONTED LIFE WITH COURAGE, AND DEATH WITH CHRISTIAN HOPE.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/memory/?page=2

"To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Colonel Henry Lee 1756-1816

American Revolutionary Soldier/Father of Robert E. Lee

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “1800s Graffiti Found in Monument”

Spokesman-Review, June, 1994

http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=885

Washington—Graffiti from the 1800s discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument has quite a different tone from that usually found today on the sides of buildings and subway cars.

“Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduring than this,” reads the inscription which can now be viewed by visitors to the monument.

It is signed BFB. No one knows who that is, or who left the small drawings and 19th century dates on other walls.

The markings in the lobby of the monument were covered over when it was decorated at the turn of the century. They were found when workers removed marble wainscoting as part of a year-long $500,000 renovation which was completed in 1994.

LEADER: What will you be remembered for?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Proverbs 10:1-7

¹The proverbs of Solomon, A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother. ²Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death. ³The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked. ⁴Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. ⁵He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. ⁶Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. ⁷The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Good Name” Our Daily Bread 5/26/03

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-26-03.shtml By: David McCasland

King Solomon observed:

"The memory of the righteous is blessed" Proverbs 10:7.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" Proverbs 22:1.

"A good name is better than precious ointment" Ecclesiastes 7:1.

A solid reputation and loving relationships are high achievements. Honesty, integrity, and generosity in life are more valuable than the most expensive funeral. Perfume fades, but the aroma of our lives lingers on.

By our attitudes and actions, we are creating the memories that will be associated with our names in life and in death. Today we have an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ and to the making of a good name—a name that honors Him and encourages those we love for years to come.

Do you have a good name?

This is the wish I always make,
The prayer I always pray:
Lord, may my life help other lives
It touches by the way. —Anon.

The memory of a faithful life speaks more eloquently than words.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 26:6-13

⁶Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, ⁷a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. ⁸But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste? ⁹"For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." ¹⁰But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. ¹¹"For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. ¹²"For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. ¹³"Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Blessed Memorial” Our Daily Bread 5/29/95

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-29-95.shtml EXCERPT

Certain names from the past can elicit a variety of responses. The mention of Hitler, for example, brings feelings of contempt. On the other hand, a great historical figure like Churchill brings a positive response. Even within the circle of our own acquaintances, we remember some individuals with thankfulness, while we think negatively of others whose lives were spent in selfish pursuits.

On Memorial Day we pause to honor those of past generations. While many stirring recollections flood our minds, we realize that the time will come when each of us will also be a memory. What will others recall of our words and deeds when they think of us?

Determine by the grace of God to live for the Lord and give yourself to the needs of others. Your testimony will then become a source of blessing and inspiration to all who follow in your steps. --RWD

What have you written on memory's page?
Deeds that were done in the Master's name?
Words that were spoken to spread His fame?
What have you written today? --Anon.

WILL YOUR NAME BE A BLESSING OR A BLOT?

LEADER: Three things to be a Memorial to be Remembered:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Remembering A Belief” #1