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“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (2 Peter 1:12-15). “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you” (Jude 1:5).

Scott, one of our pastors, shared in a sermon an experience he had when he was teaching children this Easter. He was telling the class that Jesus had risen from the dead. Willow*¹, a little four-year old girl looked up at him and smugly said, "I already know that".

Fast forward 65 years to 2090. Willow is now a senior citizen. When she was 4 2090 and being 70 seemed unimaginable. But at that point she, like every generation before her marvels at how fast life went by.

Most of those who taught her as a child are long gone. We hope she not only knew the story but believed it to be the truth and lived her life for Christ. If so she's heard the story of Christ's resurrection thousands of time. Maybe she's heard a song that says, "for those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest".

Pastor Scott had told Willow's parents about her cute response and they kept a recording of the sermon to share it with her when she got older. She had kept it and now shares it with her own grandchildren although it's very hard to find anything to play it on since the technology is so outdated. To her grandchildren the service looks ancient, similar to how a service from the 1950's would look to our own grandchildren in 2026. (Or how a service from the late 1800's would have looked like to me in 1960.)

But foundational Biblical truths like the resurrection of Christ never grow old or outdated!

In regard to Biblical and spiritual truths I sure appreciate a new insight, perhaps something in a Bible text I had never considered. As we prepare these messages we hope that takes place. Tomorrow I will share just such an insight I heard Dennis, one of my co-teachers in our Sunday School class, share this last Sunday.

But we are foundationally committed to expressing and contending for the old, that is the faith once for all entrusted to the saints.  Our goal is to highlight an old truth that readers might not have considered before or simply need to be refreshed regarding its application in their lives.

But like Willow, the little girl in our opening illustration, there’s such a tendency to have a view of “I’ve already heard that before” and this can lead to a negative, unreceptive outlook. It can also be dangerous as we may run after new “truths” that are really old errors being recycled to attract a new following.

Today we would like to consider the benefits of being reminded of important truths. Truths that teach, reinforce and remind us are indeed a blessing.

We need reminded because:

1)  Because we forget! I saw a little abbreviation on a napkin that said, “I have CRS”. When I asked what this meant the older man with the napkin referred to various diseases that are known by their abbreviations and then pointed out the initials on his napkin stood for, “Can’t Remember Stuff.”*² If our forgetfulness is limited to the smaller, inconsequential stuff of life that’s one thing, and that is somewhat frustrating. Brooksyne and I have those “senior moments.” But how critically important it is that we remember that which is of foremost importance and being reminded is a safeguard.

2) Being reminded is a means of reinforcing truth in our lives and helping us keep a Biblical/spiritual perspective. The Apostle Peter is writing about it in his last letter which we know as 2 Peter. I find today’s Scripture especially pertinent. Hopefully you read the Scripture portion at the beginning. It really shows the heart of a caring servant. As this first generation believer was passing the torch of faith to the next and all subsequent generations he emphasized the vital importance of remembering the crucial, foundational truths of the faith that were known and firmly established in his initial readers.

3) Because others may need to hear the reminder or may be receiving the teaching for the first time. In a group setting a church will have all ages and a healthy church will have those who have just come into the faith. For some the Bible teaching is a reminder, for others it’s a new revelation.

In Peter’s text notice the repetitive emphasis; “So I will always remind you”; “it is right to refresh your memory”; and “I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.”

Today we bring no new revelation; no teaching that will “tickle” itchy ears or bring about a large following because of our “unique” message. Instead we simply prompt you to consider the need for being reminded of that which is of first importance and encourage you to faithfully proclaim these truths to others! And never ever grow weary of being regularly reminded or being the one who does the reminding, which is good discipleship.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber