A SOLDIER'S SERMON ON CHRISTMAS DAY... (deck of cards)
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
There has been a story passed down through the years of soldiers on an active battle field. Many
tanks had been destroyed. The artillery and bombs had killed many. The bullets were flying and terror
was growing among the younger soldiers.
It was Christmas Eve and the troops on both sides CALLED FOR A TRUCE... There was an
older soldier that had a unique peace about him. He had been in many heated battles in his time.
The younger men soldier were just boys. They found comfort being around this older, senior officer.
In the quietness of the still battle field, the old man began singing and the young boys joined the
song: SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT, ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT, ROUND YOU VIRIGIN, MOTHER
AND CHILD, HOLY INFANT SO TENDER AND MILD. SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE. SLEEP IN
HEAVEN PEACE.
The were no Bibles to read the Christmas lesson from LUKE 2. The men recalled of the shepherds
and the wise men and how Mary pondered all these things in their heart. The men discussed home.
Several had never been away from home on Christmas.
The soldiers gathered around THE OLD SOLDIER AS HE PULLED A DECK OF CARDS OF HIS
POCKET. The was a great peace that came over the men. The older soldier gathered the men around
him and started telling his men THE GREAT MESSAGE OF THE MESSIAH HIDDEN IN A DECK OF
CARDS.
I few sort of laugh at him as he began the LESSON FROM A DECK OF CARDS.
1. WITH A SMILE ON HIS LIPS, THE MAN TURNED OVER THE FIRST CARD:
IT WAS AN ACE...
He asked the value of this card. The answer was ONE.
NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT...One of a kind or incomparable.
One can be referred to as someone's only child, or a special child.
He told them the story that Abraham had one son by the free woman, Sarah.
ONE AS IN GOD'S PROMISE AND BLESSING ABRAHAM WITH ONE SON BY SARAH.
Abraham was 100, Sarah was 90... The promise seemed IMPOSSIBLE. but one day
the family gathered around and watched Abraham hold his ONE AND ONLY SON... ISAAC
Then he asked all the men to quote with him.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
ONE GOD --- AND HE HAD ONE SON... JESUS.
THAT THE ONE CROSS IN THE MIDDLE BROUGHT HOPE TO THE HOPELESS.
Then he told them that God would adopt them and they could become one with Jesus.
ONE: THERE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION...grace where by one is redeemed and becomes the partaker
of the blessings.
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may
know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
2. BY THEN HE HAD THEIR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION SO HE TURNED OVER THE NEXT CARD
TO REVEAL THE DEUCE ... #2...
Two men working together can accomplish more than they can as an individual.
He explained that there were TWO THIEVES on the other crosses that day. That one rejected Christ and
died in sin. The other thieve said: LORD, REMEMBER ME and Jesus told him, today you will be with me.
He told the men THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THE HOLY BIBLE.
There is the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT...
God speaks to man through the word.
The word of God does the work of God.
3. THE NEXT CARD HE TURNED OVER WAS THE TREY, THE THREE.
As he continued he told of Solomon words: A THREE FOLD CORD IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.
He taught them there are 3 essential elements in a spiritual life.
FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE...
And we are made up of SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY ---
And that the Godhead exist in 3 eternal parts: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT.
4. THE NEXT CARD DISPLAYED WAS THE FOUR.
He told that Jesus had four major evangelist: MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN.
The first four BOOKS OR GOSPELS of the New Testament are MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN.
The promise of our salvation is hidden in these books.
5. HE QUICKLY TURNED OVER THE FIFTH CARD TO REVEAL A FIVE.
The first five books of the Bible are called the PENTATUCH... God makes himself know to His people
in these 5 books.
There were 5 WISE and 5 FOOLISH VIRGINS --- The five foolish virgins were not ready and let
their oil run out. They were not ready and they were LEFT BEHIND.
The little boy had FIVE barley loaves and 2 small fishes and JESUS FEED THOUSANDS.
6. THE CARD SIX WAS TURNED OVER...
There were 6 cities of refuge where God's children run when they were in trouble.
God made the heavens and the earth in SIX DAYS... God created everything and when he was
done God said: IT IS GOOD!
7. THE NUMBER SEVEN IS A SPECIAL NUMBER TO GOD.
7 IS CALLED THE PERFECT NUMBER.
7 is only divisible by 1 and itself. It is a prime number.
7 appears often in the Bible.
God rested on the 7th day... THE 7TH DAY IS ABOUT MAKING IT HOLY, WORSHIP.
Each week is divided into 7 days.
Jacob worked 7 years for Leah, and 7 more for Rachel.
PHARAOH'S dream was 7 fat cows, and 7 skinny cows.
There are 7 churches in the book of Revelations
8. THE DECK OF CARDS NOW EXPOSED THE CARD 8...
David was the 8th son, the youngest...
There were 8 steps going up into the tabernacle.
Every male child was taken to church and was circumcised on the 8th day.
8 represents RIGHTEOUSNESS... There were 8 souls on the ARK.
Noah and his wife, 3 sons, 3 daughter in laws.
JESUS TAUGHT 8 BEATITUDES... Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those mourn,
blessed are the hungry, blessed are the merciful...
THESE TEACHING WERE THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND... revolutionary...
JESUS AROSE ON THE EIGHT DAY.
9. AS THE SOLDIER TUENED OVER THE NEXT CARD, THERE WAS A NINE...
WOW, THERE ARE 9 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT...
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.
WHERE ARE THE 9?
9 were healed of leprosy and they went to do their religious duty and never said: THANK YOU.
10. WAS A POWERFUL NUMBER AS GOD GAVE US 10 RULES OR LAWS TO ABIDE IN...
If you love God you will keep his 10 COMMANDMENTS.
The 10 commandments are not just 10 suggestions.
The stone tablets with the 10 commandments were kept in the ARK OF THE COVENANT.
11. THE ELEVEN BRINGS US TO THE KING...
There were 11 faithful disciples.
You must accept Jesus as Lord of Lords, and King of Kings...
Jesus sits on his throne at the right hand of the Father.
JESUS IS LORD OF ALL OR NOT LORD AT ALL.
12. HERE WE ARE AT CARD 12, THE QUEEN --- JESUS VALUES WOMEN...
WOMEN ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD.
Eve the mother of all.
Look at Mary Jesus' mother.
Mary that broke her alabaster box.
Rahab the Harlot offered her Red cord.
13. NOW WE COME TO A TERRIBLE CARD... THE JACK OF NAVES OUR ENEMY...
THE DEVIL, LUCIFER...
The fallen angel that lead the choir in heaven.
He is now the enemy of God and mankind...
He is out to KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY.
THERE ARE 52 CARDS IN A DECK... 52 WEEKS INB A YEAR.
THERE ARE 365 SPOTS ON THE BACK OF A CARD...
365 DAYS A YEAR...
365 FEAR NOTS IN THE BIBLE... ONE FOR EACH FEAR.
EACH DECK OF CARDS HAS 4 SUITS... HEARTS, SPADES, CLUBS, DIAMONDS.
THERE ARE 4 --- 6 HOUR GUARD WATCHES IN A DAY.
YOU HAVE 4 FINGERS.
THERE ARE 12 PICTURE CARDS IN A DECK...
12 MONTHS A YEAR.
12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
12 STONES ON THE EPHOD (VEST) THE PREACHER WORE.
12 DISCIPLES. 12 GATES TO THE CITY.
13--- THERE ARE 13 TRICKS IN THE GAME OF CARDS.
13 WEEKS IN A QUARTER OF THE YEAR.
As the soldiers celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ they would never forget the
SOLDIER'S SERMON THAT CHRISTMAS EVE. ALL THE MEN GATHERED AROUND
IN THE FOX HOLE AND PRAYED AND HAD ONE A WONDER TIME HEARING THE
CHRISTMAS FROM THEIR COMRADE.
CONCLUSION: We need to witness any way we can. The truths hidden in the deck of
cards are amazing. May we find Jesus as our personal Savior.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com
