This Sunday marks the last Sunday that we will be worshiping as a church at 230 – 78 Ave SE. For the last 63 years Christians have gathered in that location to worship Jesus Christ. Starting Sunday, May 28th, we will move to a larger facility at 3311 Centre St N which has also been the home of Christian worship in the past.
As we look forward and give thanks to God we take time to remember his faithfulness in the past. The Scriptures address this from beginning to end. Some important items of remembrance include:
- The rainbow is a sign of remembrance of God’s everlasting covenant with every living creature on the earth (Gen 9:16).
- The Passover meal was a sign of remembrance of God’s strong hand whereby he delivered his people from Egypt (Exod 13:3). This call to remember is given 15 times in Deuteronomy as the people prepared to enter the promised land.
- The Sabbath was a day of remembrance of God’s rest after the creation week and our rest in him (Exod 20:8).
- Tassels on the garments of the people of Israel were a sign of remembrance of the commandments of the Lord and their duty to follow them (Num 15:39).
- The Psalms are full of remembrance: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old” (Ps 77:11). The nations will praise God as they remember his name and deeds (Ps 45:17).
- The prayers of Paul were fueled by remembering the churches and fellow believers (Eph 1:6; 2 Tim 1:3; Phlm 1:4).
- We’re called to remember our state before Christ, lost and without hope (Eph 2:11–12).
- We’re called to remember the gospel, Christ risen from the dead, as we labor for him (2 Tim 2:8).
What ought we to remember during this season of transition from one location to the next? Here’s a short list of items we should remember as we move.
- Remember the saints that have gone before us. When Fairview Baptist began in 1960, many labored, sacrificed, and gave such that we had a place to worship in Fairview to call our own.
- Remember that our history as a church goes well past 1960. Christ has been building his church since he walked this earth and has been faithful for millennia calling sinners out of this world to worship him. We stand in a long line of believers forgiven and adopted by the love of God in Christ Jesus. Their sacrifice and labor, fueled by grace, has increased into blessings for us today.
- Remember that all we have is a gift from God. We deserve none of the favor we experience. Grace upon grace is what we must remember.
- Remember COVID-19, fines, arrests, and imprisonments, and how God used governments gone mad to bring rich blessing upon his church. Remember how God used Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome as tools in his hand to advance his purposes. Remember and do not fear the power of men.
- Remember that God uses persecution and trials to save and sanctify his people. Difficult times are ahead but we remember how God accomplishes his purposes through suffering—the chief exhibit being the cross of Christ.
- Remember through songs, hymns, and psalms. Our church will continue to sing songs written from the earliest centuries of the church to today. We must sing songs about what is worth remembering.
- Remember that the Great Commission and discipleship continues in earnest in this city regardless of location. God has many people in this city and so we must remain committed to making Christ known. Remember that we are missionaries, God’s ambassadors, and fellow laborers.
Above all, remember God’s in his unchanging, glorious character. God remains steadfast and true regardless of the changes of seasons and times. Of all the things that we can remember, we must remember God, his steadfast faithfulness, his unchanging word, his enduring commands, his everlasting covenants, his eternal promises, his persistent power, his immutable wisdom, his unwavering mercy, his constant providence, his persistent guidance, his resolute grace, his unfaltering forgiveness, his loyal Christ, and his committed love.