“In Remembrance of Me”
1 Corinthians 11:24
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. In a survey taken over ten years ago, only 28% of Americans understood the true meaning of Memorial Day. The day, unfortunately, has become more about retail and picnics than understanding the importance of remembrance and the solemn celebration it should be in our lives. It is a day of remembrance - remembering the sacrifices paid for our freedom. Freedom never comes easy nor is it free. We need to remember those who paid dearly for our liberty. I want us today to remember both the sacrifices they made and also the ultimate sacrifice that He made to set us free.
I. Remember the sacrifices they made to protect and preserve our freedom
A. Our Founding Fathers were not cowards. They made immense sacrifices to establish this Great Nation in freedom - not the least of which was going to war with the enemy of that freedom. All who have fought intehe War for Independence and the subsequent wars and conflicts along with those who are fighting today have continued to make sacrifices in order to protect and preserve our freedom.
B. Have you wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? 5 signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. 12 had their homes ransacked and burned. 2 lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had 2 sons captured. 9 of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. There was and is a tremendous price to pay for freedom. - copied
C. The number of those Americans who have sacrificed their lives to provide freedom for you and me are staggering:
1. The American Revolution - 25,000 dead and 25,000 wounded
2. The War of 1812 – 20,000 dead and 5,000 wounded
3. The Civil War – 625,000 dead and more than 281,000 wounded
4. World War I - 116,516 dead and 204,002 wounded
5. World War II - 405,399 dead and 670,846 wounded, 30,414 MIA
6. Korean War – 36,516 dead and 92,134 wounded
7. Vietnam War – 58,209 dead and 153,303 wounded, 2,489 MIA
8. War on Terror – 6,280 dead and 41,936 wounded
9. All Military Casualties from 1775 to present – 1,343,812 Dead and 1,529,000 wounded – copied from wikipedia.org
This does not even take into consideration the civilian men and women who sacrificed all they had to procure and defend our freedom.
D. The spirit of sacrifice is exemplified in the life of John Hancock. "When Gen. George Washington besieged Boston, he asked Hancock whether the city should be bombarded, to which Hancock replied: 'Nearly all the property I have in the world is in houses and other real estate in Boston; but if the expulsion of the British army requires their being burnt to ashes, issue the order for that purpose immediately.'"
E. "They defended our nation, they liberated the oppressed, they served the cause of peace. And all Americans who have known the loss and sadness of war, whether recently or long ago, can know this: The person they love and miss is honored and remembered by the United States of America." -- George W. Bush, Memorial Day Address, 2004
F. Perhaps best expressed in a tribute entitled "The Price of Freedom" concerning those who fought in distant lands defending our freedom... "Some were ready and prepared; Others were so young and so naive. Some of them chose to serve our country, Others had no choice, they were called to serve. As they hugged and kissed their loved ones bye, Their hearts were heavy and tears filled in their eyes. Not knowing if they would be coming back home, Or if they would die, it was all so unknown. As they prepared to fight for our freedom, We prayed to God for their safety. They all left their loved ones, And their lives that they had known. They departed to an unfamiliar land, risking their lives and making so many sacrifices. Being away from family and friends, giving up what most can’t even comprehend. The horrors and atrocities that Our Veterans faced and endured. You may not ever know or totally understand. They protected our rights, our freedom, and the rights of others, So that we could have and enjoy freedom in our land. Some came home to a Hero’s welcome, others didn’t come home at all, they made the ultimate sacrifice. Some came home and were disgracefully shunned; others have been so shamefully forgotten. All of our Veterans served our country, With great pride and true honor. There is a price for freedom, which they ALL so graciously paid. They ALL greatly deserve to be remembered and honored, After all.... They are truly America’s Heroes!" – Shannon Hanson
Transition: We remember and thank God for the sacrifice they paid, but there is a greater freedom that cost a far greater price – the greatest sacrifice that was ever made.
II. Remember the sacrifice He paid to purchase our soul’s freedom
A. At the close of an important speech to Congress on January 6, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war in Europe was over. He spoke of four basic freedoms which should be enjoyed by all people: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The world has never achieved Roosevelt's ideal. Even if it did, however, we should still desperately need another freedom the president didn't mention: freedom from ourselves and the tyranny of our sinful nature
B. The bible declares that as a result of the disobedience of one man, Adam, all mankind has been hopelessly enslaved by the tyrant of a sin nature.
C. Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
D. Paul indicts each of us when he states in Romans 3:10 that ‘There is none righteous, no not one…’
E. Because of man’s condition he is totally unable to save himself or in any way contribute to his soul’s emancipation from the enslavement of sin.
F. Romans 6:5-8 “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
G. Today we lift our eyes to Mount Calvary, whereon was raised an old rugged cross, where the Son of God shed his most precious blood and remember the price paid that we might have freedom from sin and freedom from death and freedom from the law’s condemnation.
H. 1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
I. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for man's transgressions by paying the ultimate price on the cross as He bore all of your sin on Himself.
J. Christ went through untold suffering for our sins. It is beyond our imagination what He endured. Christ came to this earth for the express purpose of paying the price for our eternal freedom from the tyranny and penalty of sin..
Transition: In 1776, George Washington gathered his troops together and told them he needed someone for a highly secret mission behind enemy lines. A twenty-one-year-old soldier from Yale volunteered. It seemed he was going to be successful, but as he returned with the battle plans of the British, they were tipped off and he was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. The next morning, as he was facing execution, he uttered these poignant words: "My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my country." This young man, Nathan Hale, was willing to pay a price for freedom that required his life. In many ways, what he did symbolized what Christ has done for all of us. Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom from the bondage of sin. Freedom always involves a price - what Nathan Hale did for America and, likewise, what Jesus has done for us.
Invitation:
1. As Americans, remember the sacrifice that was paid for the liberties we enjoy today.
• We’re able to freely assemble here in worship because of the price they paid.
2. As a sinner acknowledge your bondage to your sin nature and accept the price He paid, inviting Him to give you the freedom He offers.
• John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
3. As a believer, live in the freedom that He has procured using that liberty to serve Him and others.
• Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free
