Remembering Grace: The Balance of Past and Progress

In our exploration of Ephesians 2:11-13, we delve into the profound command to "remember." This passage calls us to recall our past separation from Christ, our alienation from the commonwealth of Israel, our estrangement from the covenants of promise, our hopelessness, and our godlessness. The imperative to remember these painful realities might seem discouraging at first glance. However, this remembrance serves a greater purpose: to highlight the transformative power of Christ's blood, which has brought us near to God. By remembering our past, we can more fully appreciate the grace that has been extended to us and the newness of life we now experience in Christ.

This act of remembering is not in conflict with Paul's exhortation in Philippians 3 to forget what lies behind and press on toward the goal. The forgetting Paul speaks of is about leaving behind anything that hinders our pursuit of Christ. It is about not allowing past failures or successes to distract us from the race we are running. The remembrance in Ephesians, on the other hand, is about magnifying the grace we have received and intensifying our gratitude and joy in our current standing with God.

The key is to discern when to remember and when to forget. Remembering should lead us to a deeper appreciation of God's grace, while forgetting should free us from the chains of past sins and regrets that could impede our spiritual progress. Jesus' teachings further illuminate this balance, warning against looking back with longing for our old sinful ways, as exemplified by Lot's wife. Instead, we are called to focus on the promised land ahead, the immeasurable riches of God's grace in kindness toward us.

Ultimately, the purpose of remembering is not to dwell in regret but to magnify the grace of God and intensify our joy and thankfulness for the salvation we have in Christ. This remembrance should propel us forward in our spiritual journey, with our eyes fixed on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remembering our past separation from Christ serves to magnify the grace we have received and intensify our gratitude for our current standing in Him. This remembrance is not meant to discourage but to highlight the transformative power of Christ's blood. [01:44]
• 2. Forgetting what lies behind, as Paul exhorts in Philippians, is about leaving behind anything that hinders our pursuit of Christ. This includes past failures or successes that could distract us from our spiritual race. [04:00]
• 3. The balance between remembering and forgetting is crucial. Remembering should lead to a deeper appreciation of God's grace, while forgetting should free us from past regrets that impede our progress. [06:13]
• 4. Jesus warns against looking back with longing for our old sinful ways, as exemplified by Lot's wife. Instead, we are called to focus on the promised land ahead and the immeasurable riches of God's grace. [09:09]
• 5. The ultimate purpose of remembering is to magnify God's grace and intensify our joy and thankfulness for the salvation we have in Christ. This remembrance should propel us forward in our spiritual journey. [10:44]
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:11-13
• [00:35] - The Command to Remember
• [01:06] - Our Past Separation from Christ
• [01:44] - The Purpose of Remembering
• [02:12] - The Challenge of Remembering
• [02:33] - Paul's Exhortation in Philippians
• [03:44] - Forgetting What Lies Behind
• [04:16] - Balancing Remembering and Forgetting
• [05:09] - Running the Spiritual Race
• [06:13] - The Role of Memory in Faith
• [07:02] - Magnifying Grace Through Memory
• [08:04] - The Goal of Remembering
• [09:09] - Jesus' Teachings on Looking Back
• [10:44] - The Ultimate Purpose of Memory

1. What are the five aspects of our past separation from Christ that Paul urges us to remember in Ephesians 2:11-13? [01:44]
2. How does Paul describe his approach to the Christian life in Philippians 3:12-14, and what does he mean by "forgetting what lies behind"? [03:44]
3. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of remembering our past separation from Christ? [06:13]
4. How does Jesus' teaching about looking back, as mentioned in the sermon, relate to the concept of remembering and forgetting? [09:09]

1. How does the act of remembering our past separation from Christ help us appreciate the grace we have received? [07:02]
2. In what ways might forgetting past failures or successes, as Paul suggests in Philippians, aid in our spiritual growth? [05:09]
3. How can the balance between remembering and forgetting, as discussed in the sermon, impact our spiritual journey and relationship with God? [08:04]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of looking back with longing for our old sinful ways, and how does this relate to our pursuit of the "promised land" ahead? [09:09]

1. Reflect on a time when remembering your past separation from Christ has deepened your gratitude for His grace. How can you cultivate this remembrance in your daily life? [07:19]
2. Identify a past failure or success that might be hindering your spiritual progress. What steps can you take to "forget" it and focus on your current journey with Christ? [05:53]
3. How can you discern when to remember and when to forget in your spiritual life? Are there specific practices or habits that can help you maintain this balance? [08:04]
4. Jesus warns against looking back with longing for our old ways. Is there something from your past that you find yourself longing for? How can you redirect your focus toward the future God has for you? [09:09]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of magnifying God's grace through remembrance. What are some practical ways you can share this grace with others in your community?
6. Consider the "race" you are running in your spiritual life. What is one specific goal you can set to help you press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? [05:25]
7. How can you use the memory of God's grace in your life to encourage others who may feel far from Him? What is one action you can take this week to reach out to someone in need of encouragement?