A Memorial That Really Matters

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Pastor James May

A MEMORIAL THAT REALLY MATTERS

This weekend we will honor those who have given their lives in defense of the freedoms that we all enjoy. When we look upon their sacrifice and their willingness to give their all so that our nation, and the world, could experience the ability to be free, we are so very thankful for each one who served in any of our armed forces. Only yesterday I went down to the National D Day Museum in New Orleans to see the films and relics that remind us of the great struggle that purchased our freedom. We owe such a great debt to those who died so that you and I can be here this morning. The sacrifices of these soldiers, and of those who are still fighting today, should never be forgotten.

From the battlefields of Bunker Hill, Yorktown and many others of the American Revolution;

From the battlefield down in Chalmette, LA, and the Battle of New Orleans from the War of 1812 with Britain;

From the Halls of Montezuma representing the Mexican War:

From the fields of Gettysburg, Shiloh and countless others of the Civil War;

From that little place down in Cuba, called San Juan Hill of the Spanish American War;

From the trenches of Verdun and Belleau Wood of WWI;

From the beaches of Normandy, the city of Bastogne , the fields of Europe, and the jungles of the islands of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and so many more of WWII;

From the battlefields at Inchon and the Frozen Chozen Reservoir of Korea

From the Base Camp of An Khe and Hamburger Hill, to the Mekong Delta of Vietnam;

From the smaller battles of Granada, Panama and numerous military insurgencies;

From the sand dunes of Kuwait and Iraq of Desert Storm;

From Kosovo, Somalia, Iran, Saudia Arabia,

From the mountains of Afghanistan,

Americans have paid, and will continue to pay, the price for your freedom and safety.

It is only fitting that we should take time to remember the fallen heroes of our democracy. Take time to bow your head and thank God for those who loved America enough to give their lives and their fortunes in her defense.

Fighting for our nation is a great and necessary thing but I want to draw your attention to an instance in the Word of God where there was another memorial. This memorial wasn’t for fighting in battle even though it was involving a soldier. Perhaps I should say that it wasn’t for fighting in an earthly battle, but it was definitely for fighting Spiritual Warfare. I want you to see what God honors most and what can do that will rise as a memorial before God.

It is great to be remembered of men and given a place of honor for the things we have done for humanity, but it is far more important to be remembered by God for what we have done for Him!

Acts 10:1-6, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."

When we consider that Cornelius was a commander in the Legions of Rome that occupied Israel, the story of his faith and sacrifice is even more wonderful.