Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day 2025

John 15:13 READ

1 Timothy 3:16

Intro: In April 1863, in Columbus, Georgia, after decorating graves of her two sons who died representing their beloved south-land, an elderly woman walked to two mounds of dirt at the corner of the cemetery to place memorial flowers there also. "

What are you doing?" friends shouted, "Those are the graves of two union soldiers." Softly that compassionate mother said, "I know. I also know that somewhere in the North, a mother or a young wife mourns for them as we do for ours."

That loving deed set in motion our celebration which has become known as Memorial Day.

We honor the war dead once a year,

But their sacrifice is evident every single day of the year!

Today, we want to honor the memory of all those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Those thousands of sacrificed lives were not given in vain!

Because of their sacrifice, we are free today and have the right to assemble ourselves together and worship our God.

Think of the numbers of those who died to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today:

Revolutionary War Civil War WW1 WW2

25,000 620,000 116,516 405,399

Korea Vietnam War on terror 2001-present

36,516 58,209 7,078

Today I don’t want to diminish the sacrifice or service of any of the courageous, valiant, and precious souls that gave of themselves so that we may be free.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Let’s look at one great Solider this morning

This soldier stepped onto the battlefield one day

He took arms and entered the fight knowing that it would cost Him everything

He won a great victory but it came at an even greater price

HE gave His life

Not for a nation

But for all humanity

Transitional Statement: This soldier's death was not in vain, His sacrifice served to set free the captives of sin.

For the child of God

Everyday is Memorial Day

Everyday we should remember the sacrifice of Heaven’s greatest soldier

Today let us honor Jesus and the sacrifice HE made for all of us

1 Timothy 3:16

God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Let’s never forget His appearing

Jesus laid aside His Heavenly address

Just like every individual that joins the armed service

Is called upon to leave their homes to fulfill the call of service

Jesus left His home

HE had for all of eternity lived in a place of

Perfection

Free from sin

Suffering and death

HE came from a place where HE was exalted, honored and worshipped

He willingly left it all behind to come to a place

That was sin cursed

HE came to place that even those who had been anticipating His arrival would reject Him

HE came to a land where He would be

Ridiculed

Hated

And ultimately He would be Killed

Transitional Statement: HE knew all these things and He came anyway, God robed Himself in human flesh.

He lived as a man among men and died as a man to redeem men from their sins.

Just as our ancestors before us marched on foreign soil to secure democracy and freedom

Our Lord came to Earth in human form to secure our freedom over sin, death, and the grave

Today let’s look at 3 things that will help us realize everyday is Memorial Day for the Christian.

Let us remember His finished work

Pauls says that the Lord was

Justified in the Spirit and seen of angels

This speaks of divine approval

When Jesus came into this world

He was born

He lived

And HE died without sin (2 Cor 5:21)

He perfectly fulfilled the law of God

And His service has been accepted by the Father

Transitional Statement: You and I are no longer under the yoke of the law, I don’t have to try and please God to be saved.

WHY?

Because Jesus has already satisfied the demands of God the Father

The finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ has been accepted by the Father and imputed to all those that believe in Him by faith. (Rom 4:24)

We remember His finished work by remembering His sacrifice

Just as we pause today to remember the brave men and women that have given their lives on the altar of freedom

We should pause and remember the sacrifice of our Lord

The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to die

His death made; Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” a real possibility

Let’s remember the Lord Jesus Christ that took our sins upon Himself and died in our place upon that cross.