Sermon Central.com video “Under God”
Tomorrow is Memorial Day 2012. Tomorrow, all across the country people will revisit the burial sites of loved ones who have died. On Tuesday one will be able to drive past any given cemetery and be able to notice the beautiful array of colorful flowers spread throughout the acres of headstones because the person buried there was remembered by someone that loved them.
The definition “Memorial” according to Dictionary.com is – “something designed to preserve the memory of a person or event.” This morning as we gather for worship we remember the sacrifice of the American soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, and Guardsman. It is because of the men and women who gave their lives on the field of battle that we are able to gather here today, to worship God as we choose, and to live in this wonderful country.
The video we just saw points out a tremendous flaw that is that brewing here in our nation: we are “one nation, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.” We live in a country where nearly 80% of Americans identify themselves as being Christian. However, if one who claims to be a Christian would turn on the news or read any news paper they should find themselves asking, “If 80% of Americans are Christians, why are we not ‘one nation under God?’” We live in a nation that was founded on Christian principles so that we could worship God, the God of the Bible – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – as we please, without persecution. The video ended by pointing out that being “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and just for all” is not possible except by being “under God” and that some things just weren’t meant to be independent. Ronald Reagan once said, “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under.”
It is ironic to me that people want to cut out absolutely everything that has to do with God: remove the 10 commandments from schools and court rooms, remove prayers from public places, take Christian radio stations off the air, and many more things, yet they have ZERO problem spending our money which proudly proclaims, “In God We Trust.”
Here in the United States of America we have the freedom to disagree with people of other faiths (or who have no faith), to disagree with people who think and live differently than we do, to agree and congregate with people with whom we do agree. We have the right to jump in our car and drive freely 3,000 miles across this nation, jump on a plane and fly from state to state, to send our children to public or private schools, the rights specifically stated the Bill of Rights in our constitution, and most importantly we have the right to vote. We have these and countless other freedoms and rights because of the sacrifice of the American troops. Today we honor them, we mourn them, and we remember them.
- Prayer for message
It is extremely important for us as Christian Americans to know and understand that freedom and forgiveness are NEVER free. Today I want us to see the 3 similar points between the death of Jesus and the death of an American soldier as found in Scripture.
3 Similarities of Jesus’ death and the Soldier’s Death:
1. They Died Following Orders
Luke 22:42 – “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from Me, nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a result of Him obeying the will of the Father. We see here in the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His crucifixion and just minutes before Judas Iscariot would betray Him with a kiss, that Jesus had petitioned God the Father to see if it was possible for Jesus to not go to the cross, yet He submitted to the will of His Father. Similarly, all across this nation there are tombs of those who gave their lives in an effort to complete the mission given to them by their commanding officer and Washington. While Washington nor the Pentagon told any of the troops to storm the beach of Normandy with a target on their chest, to lay on an IED, to sacrifice themselves by jumping on a live grenade to save the lives of others, to stand in the way of a falling Japanese kamukasi , and God the Father does not wear stars on His uniform and Jesus did not go through basic training or boot camp, however the Father’s will is what Jesus submitted to and it ultimately lead to His death. The American soldier, Marine, Airmen, Sailor, and Guardsmen who has given his or her life was given in an effort to accomplish the task given to them – defend freedom.
2. They Died Voluntarily
Luke 23:32-39
We see in this short passage of 8 verses THREE times was challenged to save Himself. THREE times Jesus was challenged to come off the cross and prove that He was the Christ, the Son of God by saving Himself. That’s not what Jesus did though, He knew He would prove it upon His death, but even more so with His resurrection from the dead! THREE times He was presented the opportunity to escape death. Yet He voluntarily took the 39 lashes, took the crown of thorns, took the nails, shed His blood, and bore the sins of the entire world upon Him. No one forced Jesus to stay on that cross, but HE chose to stay. He volunteered His life the sake of you and me. On the cross He bore the punishment of every sin ever committed by every person that has ever lived in this world, He knew that by volunteering to be the punishment for our sins He would die, but He knew we would rise from the dead and defeat sin, death, and Satan! Just as Jesus volunteered for the cross, the American Soldier volunteered for service. I understand many people who served in Vietnam were there because of the draft. But look at the Civil War, WWI and WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Strom, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Those who served chose to serve. And by choosing to serve they knew that one day they, too, may pay the ultimate price for the sake of Freedom. That one day their coffin may be draped with the American Flag, that one day the sound or “TAPS” playing on the bugle may sound near their grave. They chose the possibility of giving their life for something greater than themselves – continuing freedom and liberty.
3. They Died For a Purpose
John 10:10 – “…I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
Jesus came to this earth for a purpose. He became flesh and dwelt among for a reason. He knew His entire life that He was living to die. He knew that He was the ONLY suitable sacrifice to permanently pay the price of sin. He came to this earth not be the most famous or most polarizing person to ever live, but rather give us life and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The more abundant life which Jesus speaks of is a life on this earth that is free from worry of petty things because we know that Jesus is King because of life, death, and resurrection. But even more so, to give us abundant life for eternity for all of those who call on His name by placing their faith and trust in Him alone.
The American men and women who has swore an oath to protect and defend this country did so not that their husbands or wives, mothers or fathers, brother or children may receive a folded striped and stared flag, but they took the oath because they loved this country, they believed in what it was founded upon and for what it stood/stands for. They took the oath for a purpose – that purpose was not selfish, but centered in service; it was not prideful, but humble; it was not to shoot a gun or fly a plane, but to defend you and me, to protect us, their families and our constitution. These brave men and women are heroes. Every tomb in Arlington and other nation cemeteries across this country and in Europe and Japan tells a story of the life and death of a hero. Every tomb is a symbol and proof that Freedom is NEVER free. Every cross you see is proof that Forgiveness was not free.
This Memorial Day pray for those who are serving and for the families of those who gave all, honor them, and remember them.
There is a popular phrase that is ever so truthful in regards to all who have served and who are serving: “All Game Some, But Some Gave All.”
I have an article that I wish to read. After I read it I will play another video. Upon completion of the video please sit in silent pray as we remember those who served and gave their lives for this land, nation, and freedom.
http://www.lauraingraham.com/calloftheday?pid=12951
By TOM MANION
I served in the military for 30 years. But it was impossible to fully understand the sacrifices of our troops and their families until April 29, 2007, the day my son, First Lt. Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq.
Travis was just 26 years old when an enemy sniper's bullet pierced his heart after he had just helped save two wounded comrades. Even though our family knew the risks of Travis fighting on the violent streets of Fallujah, being notified of his death on a warm Sunday afternoon in Doylestown, Pa., was the worst moment of our lives.
While my son's life was relatively short, I spend every day marveling at his courage and wisdom. Before his second and final combat deployment, Travis said he wanted to go back to Iraq in order to spare a less-experienced Marine from going in his place. His words—"If not me, then who . . . "—continue to inspire me.
My son is one of thousands to die in combat since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Because of their sacrifices, as well as the heroism of previous generations, Memorial Day 2012 should have tremendous importance to our entire nation, with an impact stretching far beyond one day on the calendar.
In Afghanistan, tens of thousands of American troops continue to sweat, fight and bleed. In April alone, 35 U.S. troops were killed there, including Army Capt. Nick Rozanski, 36, who made the difficult decision to leave his wife and children to serve our country overseas.
"My brother didn't necessarily have to go to Afghanistan," Spc. Alex Rozanski, Nick's younger brother and fellow Ohio National Guard soldier, said. "He chose to because he felt an obligation."
Sgt. Devin Snyder "loved being a girly-girl, wearing her heels and carrying her purses," according to her mother, Dineen Snyder. But Sgt. Snyder, 20, also took it upon herself to put on an Army uniform and serve in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan as a military police officer. She was killed by an enemy roadside bomb, alongside three fellow soldiers and a civilian contractor, on June 4, 2011.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Douville was an explosive ordnance disposal technician, doing an incredibly dangerous job depicted in "The Hurt Locker." He was a loving husband and father of three children. "He was my best friend," his wife, LaShana Douville, said. "He was a good person."
Douville, 33, was killed in a June 26, 2011, explosion in Afghanistan's Helmand province, where some of the fiercest fighting of the decade-long conflict continues to this day.
When my son died in Iraq, his U.S. Naval Academy roommate, Brendan Looney, was in the middle of BUD/S (basic underwater demolition) training to become a Navy SEAL. Devastated by his good friend's death, Brendan called us in anguish, telling my wife and me that losing Travis was too much for him to handle during the grueling training regimen.
Lt. Brendan Looney overcame his grief to become "Honor Man" of his SEAL class, and he served in Iraq before later deploying to Afghanistan. On Sept. 21, 2010, after completing 58 combat missions, Brendan died with eight fellow warriors when their helicopter crashed in Zabul province. He was 29. Brendan and Travis now rest side-by-side in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery.
"The friendship between First Lt. Travis Manion and Lt. Brendan Looney reflects the meaning of Memorial Day: brotherhood, sacrifice, love of country," President Obama said at Arlington on Memorial Day 2011. "And it is my fervent prayer that we may honor the memory of the fallen by living out those ideals every day of our lives, in the military and beyond."
But the essence of our country, which makes me even prouder than the president's speech, is the way our nation's military families continue to serve. Even after more than a decade of war, these remarkable men and women are still stepping forward.
As the father of a fallen Marine, I hope Americans will treat this Memorial Day as more than a time for pools to open, for barbecues or for a holiday from work. It should be a solemn day to remember heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, and also a stark reminder that our country is still at war.
For the Rozanskis, Snyders, Douvilles, Looneys and thousands more like us, every day is Memorial Day. If the rest of the nation joins us to renew the spirit of patriotism, service and sacrifice, perhaps America can reunite, on this day of reverence, around the men and women who risk their lives to defend it.
Sermoncentral.com video: “Great Love”
