Remembrance Sunday Series

Remembrance Sunday is an important event in the church calendar because it helps us to not forget why we have the freedom that we enjoy today. It reminds us of the peace we have experienced here in England was not bought cheaply. Remembrance Sunday is more than a reminder of those who died in the First and Second World Wars it is also a reminder of those who have lost their lives in other conflicts like the Falklands War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other conflicts.

Remembrance Sunday is set aside to remember those who have given their lives for the freedom of others. Today we have paused to remember the fallen and to say “Thank you” for their sacrifice so we can live in peace. Sadly for some people, today will come and go without them giving any real thought to the meaning of today.

What and why do we need to remember? We remember the reality of what actually happened. We remember the dedication of those who fought and died. Remembering should stir within us a sense of gratitude and appreciation. Remembering the commitment and sacrifice of others should also strengthen our own resolve to do our part in serving God and others.

This month as we continue in our series Hope Found Here and this our theme is Hope in the Conquest: Hope in the Conquest of Sin, Hope in the Conquest of Death, and Hope in the Conquest of Fear. Our hope comes from being in a real relationship with Jesus, He has conquered the power of sin and death.

If we are in Christ, if we have accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour we have no need to fear our past, our present or our future. We are secure in Him, He is with us, Jesus is our certain hope. Jesus is our hope and He brings light into our darkest hours. When we are discouraged by circumstances and situations, Jesus loves you and He is your certain hope.

Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in John 15:9-13, ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: love each other.

Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross. Jesus died so that we might live. Jesus sacrificed Himself so that we could be saved. Jesus paid the price for our freedom from Sin, death and fear. Jesus died for all who place their trust in Him, no greater love can be shown to us. In a way Jesus expects us to die for Him if we are His friend, not a physical death, but by putting to death our sinful nature so that we can become closer to Him.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. We need to remember what Christ has done for us. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are instructed to stop and remember what He has done for us. Listen to the opening verses of Psalm 105, Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given. He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by His covenant—the commitment He made to a thousand generations. (Psalm 105:1-5,7-8)

Psalm 105 is a song of remembrance of God’s goodness to His beloved ones. It traces His direction, provision and protection through their history and the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. For us as believers today, we can look back over history and how God has been active. God has been and continues to be, at work in the daily lives of His people.