Do I Need To Remind You?
Prophecy of Scripture
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.
As Peter nears his departure, you can see his pastor's heart. As we mentioned before, Peter's direct command from Jesus was, "Do you love me, Peter? Then feed my sheep!" Peter knows what it is like to fold under the pressure. He wants these believers to be equipped and prepared for the time when their faith will be under fire. Peter has 3 goals laid out here.
1. To remind them of these things. What are these things? He just got done reminding them that they have been called and elected by God through Jesus. God has given everything they need to live out their Christian lives.
2. To refresh their memory. It is easy to forget who we are in Christ, and how we have His power to confirm and carry out our calling.
3. To remember these things long after He was gone. Peter realizes his time in this life was short, and we see His passion to pass on this faith he had received. Remember Peter was the first to proclaim about Jesusm "You are the Christ. The a Son of Living God!" Matthew 16:16.
So there are a couple of applications for us to think about.
1. Our need to be reminded and refreshed about the basics of our faith. We mustn't forget what God has done to save us and why. We mustn't forget that faith is a gift, yet it needs to be exercised faithfully until Jesus returns. We mustn't forget that one day despite our trials in this life that Jesus will return in great and promised glory. Our suffering in this life is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.
2. Do we have the same passion as Peter has to pass on the faith in memorable ways. Does the next generation know what they believe and why? Do they know the bible? Have we taught them how to remember it, so one day they too can pass it on.
Peter was faithful to Jesus' command to feed His sheep. I believe this is the call on all those who have been given the gift of faith. We all need someone to shepherd us, and to be a shepherd to someone else. Do you have a shepherd in your life reminding you of God's truth? Are you shepherding the people God has called you to shepherd? We can't do this alone and that is why God calls us to live out our faith in Christian community.
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.
As Peter nears his departure, you can see his pastor's heart. As we mentioned before, Peter's direct command from Jesus was, "Do you love me, Peter? Then feed my sheep!" Peter knows what it is like to fold under the pressure. He wants these believers to be equipped and prepared for the time when their faith will be under fire. Peter has 3 goals laid out here.
1. To remind them of these things. What are these things? He just got done reminding them that they have been called and elected by God through Jesus. God has given everything they need to live out their Christian lives.
2. To refresh their memory. It is easy to forget who we are in Christ, and how we have His power to confirm and carry out our calling.
3. To remember these things long after He was gone. Peter realizes his time in this life was short, and we see His passion to pass on this faith he had received. Remember Peter was the first to proclaim about Jesusm "You are the Christ. The a Son of Living God!" Matthew 16:16.
So there are a couple of applications for us to think about.
1. Our need to be reminded and refreshed about the basics of our faith. We mustn't forget what God has done to save us and why. We mustn't forget that faith is a gift, yet it needs to be exercised faithfully until Jesus returns. We mustn't forget that one day despite our trials in this life that Jesus will return in great and promised glory. Our suffering in this life is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.
2. Do we have the same passion as Peter has to pass on the faith in memorable ways. Does the next generation know what they believe and why? Do they know the bible? Have we taught them how to remember it, so one day they too can pass it on.
Peter was faithful to Jesus' command to feed His sheep. I believe this is the call on all those who have been given the gift of faith. We all need someone to shepherd us, and to be a shepherd to someone else. Do you have a shepherd in your life reminding you of God's truth? Are you shepherding the people God has called you to shepherd? We can't do this alone and that is why God calls us to live out our faith in Christian community.
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