ANCHORED TO TRUTH #2

THE DRIFT OF FORGETFULNESS

JUDE 1:5
We are going to continue our bible study series titled “Anchored to Truth” In this; we will pull lessons from the NT book of Jude
that deal with areas where the church had drifted away from fundamental truths of the Gospel. The book of Jude is placed just
before Revelation (Just before the end of All things)… so it acts as a warning: First; to remind us of our ability to drift. Second; To
stay awake and stay ready for Jesus Return!
So today; we are going to get into the specific areas of drift that Jude deals with- “The Drift of Forgetfulness”

Jude 1:5
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward
destroyed those who did not believe.

I THE DRIFT OF FORGETFULNESS

A- There is a tendency in Human nature that is prone to FORGETFULNESS
1. Forgetting; comes very natural to us-
a. Psychology Today ran an article speaking about forgetfulness: It said: People forget much of what they read, watch, think,
and encounter directly in the world.
2. NOW: Forgetting ISN’T ALL BAD- Sometimes we don't remember because not everything is a needed memory.
a. Many times we are simply trying to work through life, understand things, get through difficulties…
i. Ever had someone ask you: How did you do this? & b/c it was stressful, you worked it out but don't remember every detail?
You were just trying to get through it. (Like taxes)
b. Forgetting helps us live with the pains and traumas of life. Sometimes its not helpful to remember every detail of pain… so
the mind filters things out.
i. Romans 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Sometimes forgetting is a MIRACLE we needed.
c. The memory system is designed to be selective… In fact some research shows forgetting is a necessary part of remembering
what’s important.
3. SO; IN our text the issue with forgetfulness is that it has caused a DRFIT away from the things of God.
a. Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of
Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
i. They have forgotten the history of God; and as a result have drifted in salvation. Just like those who were saved from Egypt
forgot the miracles of God that led to salvation.
b. This is a common mistake people make in relationship w/ God
i. Deuteronomy 32:18 Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you. Here
Moses speaks about the history of Gods people, and the issue of forgetfulness.
ii. Psalms 78:11 And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them. Here the Psalmist writes of the Ephraimites
& this issue of forgetfulness.
iii. Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they
hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage. Here Nehemiah references the
COI and after their Exodus from Egypt, their forgetfulness hardened them towards God and pulled on them to return to bondage.
B- So what is it that makes us forgetful with GOD? Again in life, not all forgetfulness is bad, BUT …With God?
1. Time makes us forget: As time passes so can the memories… As we get further down the road in life, we get further from the
miracles/breakthrough/blessings-
a. Exodus 1:6 & 8 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt,
who did not know Joseph. Heres an example of Time & Forgetfulness- Egypt forgot that Joseph spared their entire existence as a
nation.
b. This happens still today: As time passes we can forget-
i. Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have
seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. Here is a
warning of the danger of time and forgetfulness... Remember, Remind, & Teach
2. Priorities make us forget: Judges 8:33-34 So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel again played the
harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god. 34 Thus the children of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who
had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side;
a. Here this scripture reveals what happens when God is not a high priority in life; You’ll forget God!
b. You will put other things before Him- You will pursue other agendas before His will- Your god will be revealed.
3. Trouble makes us forget: 2 Kings 6:15-16 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an
army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he
answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
a. Its in times of trouble that we can forget God… His provision/protection/power/grace/etc.
 b. Often in times of trouble people make decisions that pull them away from God.
4. Blessing makes us forget: Deuteronomy 6:10-12 "So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which
He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 11 houses
full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not
plant--when you have eaten and are full- 12 then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
from the house of bondage.
a. Very tragic that some peoples worst enemy is blessing!
i. They thrive in opposition, crisis, pain… but in blessing they forget God!
C- So; Forgetfulness is a repeatedly warned against to Gods people-
1. Jude takes the time to warn believers & future believers of this danger-
a. Jude 1:5 I want to remind you, though you once knew this The sin of forgetfulness is always before us-
II THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETFULNESS
A- So; There are consequences to being forgetful- Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord,
having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
1. Forgetfulness is DESTRUCTIVE! Forgetting God (grace/mercy/love/provision) produces destructive mindsets
a. Text: He points back to people who were saved/delivered… But afterward, or down the line they forgot and that resulted in
destruction.
2. Forgetfulness produces Doubt: Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the
people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
a. Time and again through the history of the COI; whenever they forgot Gods Power, they doubted Gods Goodness
i. We see this immediately after the Exodus from Egypt: Exodus 14:10-11 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted
up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to
the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the
wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
1. Here is the COI: God has just sent 10 judgement on Egypt, they literally walked out of slavery, and in a moment of
forgetfulness they DOUBT Gods goodness and power to help them!
b. When we forget who God is in our situations; we will begin to doubt his power & goodness.
3. Forgetfulness produces Criticism: Judges 6:13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this
happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from
Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
a. Here is Gideon CRITICAL over Gods handling of His people… Never mind their sin/rebellion
i. God why aren't you working more for us? Why are you allowing? Why haven't you changed things?
b. We become critical towards God-
4. Forgetfulness produces Ingratitude: Numbers 11:4-6 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense
craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we ate
freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is
nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
a. Here Gods people miss the sustaining power of God- Its like they forgot they were in the desert, they forgot the supernatural
miracle that manna was (it just appeared every day) But NO- Im not satisfied, I want MEAT!
5. Forgetfulness produces a Desire for Control: 1 Samuel 13:9 So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to
me.” And he offered the burnt offering.
a. Here is King Saul, and against the law of God does the duty of the priest by offering a sacrifice; because things aren’t
according to what I want/my timeframe/my will… So he attempts to take matters into his own control.
6. Forgetfulness produces Disobedience: Hosea 4:6 (ISV) My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge of me. Because
you rejected that knowledge, I will reject you as a priest for me. Since you forget the Law of your God, I will also forget your
children.
a. In Forgetting God; We drift out of his will, out of obedience to Him-
B- See; Each one of these mindsets destroyed an area of relationship with God…
1. Each one will destroy our relationship with God…
a. If we are not careful it will destroy Our view of God. To where He isn't God anymore (He isn't above us)
i. Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
b. We forget God is God, and we begin to take His place in our lives…
i. That is very dangerous… That type of thinking is destructive!
ii. Jude 1:5 having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. It was in the
process of forgetting- destruction came!
III THE CALL TO REMEMBER
A- So; We guard against forgetfulness by REMEMBERING!
1. Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you … I want you to REMEMBER/Call to Mind-
 a. Jude 1:17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: I want
you to RECALL/Bring back to Mind
b. We need this at work in us- A Spirit of REMEMBRANCE
B- So how do we remember?
1. Through Gods Word: 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for
our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
a. Gods word reminds us of what to do, & what NOT to do… Who to be LIKE and who to NOT be like!
b. All morning we referenced people who FORGOT; We can change our forgetful nature!
i. Luke 15:17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread,
but I perish here with hunger! Here is the prodigal son; He remembered the blessing and changed.
2. Through Challenge: This could be through brethren/Pastor/Parent/God…
a. Isaiah 43:25-26 I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put me in
remembrance; Here the prophet speaks the challenging word of God to remind people-
3. Through Prayer: Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. This is an idea of Elevating
& praising who God is… When we do this it encourages us to REMEMBER!
a. Psalm 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
4. Through The Holy Ghost: John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach
you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. God will help us to remember!
5. Through Gratitude: Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
a. Ever notice the overwhelming gratitude that comes on Easter Sunday? When we focus on Gods gift of Salvation, and the
death in our place that Jesus endured on the Cross?
i. Gratitude will help you to REMEMBER- …A French proverb states that: gratitude is the memory of the heart — IOW: it is
the way that the heart remembers.
b. Neuroscientists have demonstrated that the brain is remarkably responsive to experience. Ask your brain to give thanks and it
will get better at finding things to be grateful for. Not only does your brain find these things easier, but it actually refashions itself
based on what you ask it to do.
i. Practicing REMEMBERING will guard against the Drift of Forgetfulness-
Today I want to challenge you to REMEMBER. Praise, Focus, Listen, Come to the Altar.