Memorial Day- A Sacrifice Remembered Sunday,

Opener:

Welcome and good morning everyone! So blessed to see everyone here today! I am so thrilled that you here joining us here this morning.

We want to welcome our online community as well. Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your spiritual journey!

This morning, I found a story from womeninwisconsin.org about about Ellen Ainsworth and wanted to pass on to you. Ellen was a 24-year-old Army nurse. Ellen was from all places Glenwood City, Wisconsin which is near the Eau Claire area. Ellen was killed in combat in the Battle of Anzio which occurred in Italy. Here is an interesting fact, that Ellen was the only Wisconsin woman to die from enemy fire during World War II. On February 10, 1944, Lieutenant Ainsworth was serving in a hospital ward. While an enemy attack from artillery, a shell hit the hospital causing a lot of damage. Despite the damage to the hospital, Ellen worked to move her patients to safety. According to an Army report: "by her disregard for her own safety and her calm assurance she instilled confidence in her assistants and her patients, thereby preventing serious panic and injury. Her courage under fire and her selfless devotion to duty were an inspiration to all who witnessed her actions." Due to the attack, Ellen was wounded and passed away six days later. Ellen was awarded the Silver Star, which is the nation's third highest award for bravery, and the Purple Heart. In her honor, a nursing care facility at the Wisconsin Veterans Home located in King which is near Waupaca was named the Ainsworth Hall.

Ellen Ainsworth, along with many other brave souls, paid the ultimate price so that we can enjoy freedoms in our country! Being a child of God, we also know of Jesus, who came into this world to provide a different kind of freedom. One that is eternal. The bible says in 1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 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. This morning, we going remember Jesus appearing, and remember all that He did for us.

I. Remembering Jesus appearing

A. No greater love

a. Before we remember all that Jesus did for us. This morning, we are going to take time to honor those that have died in war.

b. We want to honor their memory, and the sacrifice they made for our freedom.

c. If you have served in our military, I want to invite you to stand. (Let’s give them a round of applause!)

d. If you have a friend or a loved one that died in the service of our country, would you please stand. (Please show your appreciation!)

e. I want to share a video from skitguys found on youtube.

i. Skit guys memorial day video. (Youtube- Memorial Day:13 folds)

f. That verse in John 15:13 NKJV13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

g. This really is a powerful verse and has a lot of meaning on multiple levels. For the child of God, we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

B. Laying aside heaven

a. Jesus laid down His life for us and in order for Him to do so, He had to leave his heavenly home.

b. Heaven is a place of beauty and majesty. It is perfect in every way, it is free from sin, free from disease, free from pain and suffering, free from hate.

c. Not sure about you but, I would not want to leave a place like that no matter what. It almost sounds too good to be true, but it is True. Praise the Lord!

d. So Jesus made the decision to step out of paradise and come into the world that He created.

e. The bible says in John 1:1 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

i. Divinity and humanity were united together in one in Jesus.

ii. This is a powerful and perplexing truth!

f. The bible further declares in John 1:14 NKJV14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

C. Jesus Compassion

a. As a result of Jesus living here on the earth, He is able to relate to our pain and suffering.

b. It is all more powerful and meaningful when someone is able to relate to us. Is it not!

i. For example, people that have delivered from an addiction are able to relate and help others that are struggling with an addiction.