I Am A Soldier Series

HoHum:

Object: A flag

Today we celebrate a special holiday.

- It isn't Thanksgiving, even though that is getting close

- It isn't Independence Day or Valentine's Day

The holiday we celebrate today is called Veterans Day. This holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world. In some countries it is called Armistice Day others Remembrance Day. No matter what you call it, it is a day on which we honor the men and women who have served in the military. It is a time for us to say "Thank you" for the sacrifices they have made. It is a time to think about the freedoms we enjoy because they were willing to serve.

How do we celebrate Veterans' Day? I guess many people will celebrate it just like they celebrate any other holiday. They use it as an opportunity to get time off from work! I would like to suggest some other ways we might celebrate this important holiday.

- Fly a flag in your yard to remind others that this is a day to honor those who have served. Show the little flag!

- Spend time in prayer giving thanks to God for those who served to defend cause of freedom.

- Observe two minutes of silence. Veterans Day began as a remembrance for every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany for the cessation of hostilities of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. In many parts of the world, people observe a two-minute moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. as a sign of respect in the first minute for the roughly 20 million people who died in the war, and in the second minute dedicated to the living left behind, generally understood to be wives, children and families left behind but deeply affected by the conflict. We have passed 11 am so...

Veterans Day is a holiday meant to be a serious occasion, but that doesn't mean that it is a time to mope around and be sad. It is a happy occasion indeed. We can be happy that because of the sacrifice of these brave men and women, you and I enjoy great freedom. We can also be happy that even though many of these brave soldiers died in battle, that is not the end of their story. Those who are Christians are with the Lord and doing better than you and I.

Hand out Children’s Worship Bulletin (Material adapted from: http://www.sermons4kids.com/veterans_day.htm)

WBTU:

In our survey of the books of the NT we have come to 1 and 2 Timothy. In chronological order we should be talking about 1 Timothy. We will get to that next week. Want to talk about 2 Timothy tonight because of “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2:3, 4, NIV.

Background information on 2 Timothy

This is Paul’s last written letter in the NT and probably the last letter he ever wrote. While Peter was crucified in Rome for his faith, Paul was probably in Spain. When Paul returned to Rome he was imprisoned. This imprisonment is not like the house arrest and chains of the earlier imprisonment at which time he wrote the “prison epistles.” This time he is in solitary confinement and awaiting execution by beheading.

This final letter by Paul to his son in the faith is very personal and full of promise. The often used words “remember” or “remembrance” (Remembrance Day), coupled with “not ashamed,” help us outline the chapters. Chapter 1- unashamed memories. Chapter 2- Unashamed ministry. Chapter 3- Unashamed warnings. Chapter 4- Unashamed charges. Paul’s “Last Will and Testament” charges Timothy and every Christian to give our all to the mission of the gospel.

Paul writes this to his partner in ministry Timothy. Talk more about him next week. In 2 Timothy Paul calls him my dear son (1:2). Paul charges Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (4:5). The gospel must be told. Many actions might consume our days and hours, but good works without the telling of the greatest story ever told will not leave behind believers and Christian congregations.

Timothy for many years was Paul’s helper. Now he must become Paul’s voice. Paul wants Timothy to be on fire, to fan into flame the gift of God, which had been given Timothy when the Apostle laid hands upon him (1:6). Paul’s son in the gospel must overcome his timidity and not be ashamed to testify about our Lord (1:7-8). The hour has come to “join in suffering for the gospel” (1:8), because it was for “this gospel [Paul was] suffering” (1:11-12).