Memories: God's blessings from the past give us strength for the future

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”  Dr. Seuss

The people of God are to have incredible memories. Scripture constantly warns believers of the danger of forgetting, exhorting them to remember God’s faithfulness. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “You shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you.” Each time we celebrate Communion, we are to remember Jesus’ words, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

  For sixty-two years this building we are meeting in this morning has been the home of Grace Church (originally Bethel Baptist). It’s hard to believe that today is our last Sunday worshiping here. God has been so good to us and used this tool for His glory! When I think about that small group of believers back in 1955 who had a vision and passion, I’m staggered by their great faith. Just a handful of believers saw a tremendous need and acted in faith to meet that need.

  If you know our history, then you know that they were given these two parcels. In a short time, they built this building. There weren’t very many of them, yet with the resources that they had, what they did was nearly miraculous. They literally poured their blood, sweat and tears into this place. As the Lord has done for them, He’s done for us! I’m continually staggered by God’s hand of grace on us as we’ve moved forward with our new building.

  As I’ve reflected on our moving from this facility, I’ve gotten very nostalgic. Like many of you this building holds truckloads of memories for me. I still vividly remember the fall of 1988 and opening those heavy solid red doors to walk in for the first time, the red carpet, pews and of course, the lime green walls. My current office was the nursery. The basement was essentially two large rooms. For many years our family lived next door in what was the parsonage. The parking lot was our children’s playground. (The church was too but I probably shouldn’t mention that… 😊).

  There have been Christmas programs where we did what we could with our small stage. Then, the place would be packed with kids and their families during Kids’ Cooking Camp or special meetings and services. We worshiped together, sang together, praised and prayed together, wept together and rejoiced together!

  Some of you trusted Christ as your Savior in this building. Many of you took steps of faith forward in your walk with the Lord here. You began to read your Bible or pray, or serve. Many of you raised your family here…if these walls could talk, this brick and mortar place overflows with powerful and wonderful memories. Yet, after the many, many worship services, what I most remember are the events: church dinners, parties, fellowships, children and teen activities.

  During my thirty years here, there have been a few weddings. Because the auditorium is so small, most couples had to choose another venue. Yet, there have been a few and they were always wonderful! We crammed everyone in and then crammed them in again downstairs for the reception. 

  While there have been a few weddings, it seems like there have been lots of funerals…too many. One of the heartbreaks of a long pastorate is that you must bury your friends. I’ve stood before the casket of many, many friends, brothers and sisters, over the years…often in this very building.

  Several funerals were packed, standing room only. Some were for dear gray headed saints who longed for Home. Some were tragic, at least from our side of heaven. The Father reached down and picked a choice flower from His garden. We weren’t ready for their Homegoing. Those losses are always a mixed blessing. They’re a blessing because you know that the believer is now Home with Jesus and there’s no more suffering. Yet, it’s hard for us. We’re close. We’re a family. We take death very personally. Most of us sit in the same spot each Sunday, but suddenly there’s an empty space. A teary-eyed spouse now comes in alone as the God of comfort begins to heal their heart. We’re careful about what we say but we know, and we hurt too. We’ve lost a friend, a brother or a sister.

  Some of my favorite memories though have been the many baptisms. Some were young people. The Holy Spirit had worked in their heart and they wanted to obey Scripture in believer’s immersion. Several times I’ve been the one to introduce the person to Christ. Sometimes it was after weeks or months of opening God’s Word in a Bible study and suddenly the Spirit would open their eyes. They finally understood what the Cross was all about. They realized that they weren’t a good person and needed a Savior, that Jesus died for them – that God loved them so much that He gave His only Son – so they could be forgiven and know where they would spend eternity.

  As they grew in grace, they realized that the next step was commitment – that they needed to make a public testimony of what had taken place in their heart. Some had resisted God working in their life for years…decades. But they found that could not outrun what Francis Thompson powerfully labeled “the Hound of Heaven.”

  Only Heaven fully knows how God has used this place. It’s been a tool in His hand for many decades. Next week we move our church family to a new home and tool, but it has the same purpose. It’s to bring glory to God. It’s a place to worship, to fellowship. It’s a place for Christians to grow in grace. It’s a place of hope for the hopeless. It’s a place where many who have not yet met Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will be born again.

  As this building has been a wonderful tool in the Master’s hand, let’s pray and determine that by God’s grace we will use the new one to be a tool for His glory as well and our feeble efforts there will please Him!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.