“This Memorial Day Remember Jesus”
2 Timothy 2:1-13
David P. Nolte
Three sisters, ages 92, 94, and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts one foot in and pauses. She yells down the stairs, “Was I getting in or out of the bath?” The 94-year-old yells back, “I don’t know. I’ll come up and see.” She starts up the stairs and pauses. Then she yells out, “Was I going up the stairs or down?” The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.” She knocks on wood for good measure. She then replies, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”
Because most of us have overactive “forgetters” and our “rememberers” are anemic, we need reminders.
We may tie a string around our finger; we may ask someone to remind us; we may put it on a calendar or in a tickle file or write a note to ourselves.
We also set aside certain days as official days: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Mother’s and Father’s Day. Memorial Day is one such reminder.
We fondly remember and acknowledge loved ones who have departed; we remember and honor our veterans, living and dead, for their service to the greatest nation on earth.
But this is a worship service and we are here to honor and celebrate Jesus. So, this Memorial Day let us remember Jesus.
Solomon wrote, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NASB).
Join the Psalmist in saying, “I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11 (NASB).
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:1-13 (NASB)
What are some particulars to remember?
I. REMEMBER THAT HE SELECTED US:
A. “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”
1. Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, ....” John 15:16 (NASB).
2. What a strange collection the early disciples were!
a. There were fishermen who gave up their nets and boats.
b. There were tax collectors who abandoned their career.
c. There was a politically radical anti-Rome zealot.
d. There was a demon possessed prostitute.
e. There was a tent maker who was also a Pharisee and a persecutor and opponent of the church.
3. Paul was amazed at Jesus’ choice of him, and marveled, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:12-16 (NASB).
B.
The song asked the question,
“Why me, Lord?
What have I ever done
to deserve even one
of the blessings I’ve known?”
C. There is nothing in any of us that would commend us to Him. He chose us by His sovereign, all wise, all knowing power and will. He didn’t look at us as we were but as what we could become.
D. Here is a fictional letter regarding His selections for Apostles: it is addressed to Jesus, Woodcrafter Carpenter Shop, Nazareth from Jordan Management Consultants, Jerusalem.
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have selected for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education, and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.
Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty.
Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.
Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Chamber Of Commerce.
Simon Zelotes definitely has radical leanings.
One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man.
All of the other profiles are self-explanatory. We wish you every success in your new venture.”
– author unknown
Remember that, knowing our unworthiness, He selected us and:
II. REMEMBER THAT HE SAVED US:
A. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”
B. This salvation is offered as a free gift of God’s grace, mercy, everlasting love and unfailing compassion.
1. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB).
2. And, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7 (NASB).
C. We need to understand that:
1. Salvation means to be made spiritually well and healthy. He saved Mary Magdalene when He Cast out 7 demons.
2. Salvation means to be restored. He saved Peter when, after Peter denied Him 3 times, He restored Him to Apostleship.
3. Salvation means to be recovered from bondage to sin. He saved the woman taken in adultery when He said, “I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more,”
4. Salvation means to be preserved from corruption and decay. He saved the corrupt, greed inspires tax collector, Zacchaeus, when he made the man generous and honest.
D. Let me illustrate the work of salvation performed by Jesus on human hearts. A sculptor had ruined a huge piece of beautiful marble. It was left in the courtyard of the cathedral in Florence, Italy, for almost one hundred years. Many sculptors thought it was beyond repair. But in 1505, Michelangelo measured the block and carefully noted the imperfections caused by the bungling workman of an earlier day. To his mind came the image of the young shepherd boy David. So he carefully made a sketch of David as he envisioned him. For 3 years he worked, his chisel skillfully shaping the marble. Finally, when one of his students was allowed to view the towering figure, 18 feet high and weighing 9 tons, he exclaimed, “Master, it lacks only one thing, and that is speech!”
Remember that, when we were a chunk of ruined marble, He envisioned His likeness carved out by His Spirit with in us. As Michelangelo saved that cast away stone, Jesus saved us and:
III. REMEMBER THAT HE STRENGTHENS US:
A. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
1. Paul prayed for God’s strength and power for all believers. He wrote, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 (NASB).
2. He gives strength
a. To overcome the trials of life.
b. To do the tasks He calls us to do.
c. To defeat the tempter and his wiles.
B. The song shows our awareness of our weakness and failure as we cry out for His help and strength.
“Lord help me Jesus,
I’ve wasted it so help me Jesus,
I know what I am.
Now that I know that
I’ve needed You so Help me Jesus,
my soul’s in Your hands.”
C. Hear this:
1. “Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:30-31 (NASB).
2. So, “be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power. Take up God’s instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens. For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.” Ephesians 6:10-13 (BBE).
D. Just when we need it, He gives us the strength. Let me illustrate strength. Professional boxer James J. Braddock made an incredible comeback during the Great Depression. His right hand was severely injured and arthritic, and career was cut short. He had to go on public assistance when he couldn’t get work. But when an opportunity came for him to get back in the ring—and provide for his family—he took it.
Braddock won fight after fight. Finally he won his way into a bout with the World Heavyweight Champion, Max Baer, a vicious fighter, who had killed two men in the ring.
In the days before the fight he ridiculed, threatened, and mocked Braddock. When the day arrived Braddock’s wife snuck into the locker room just moments before the fight. She marched up to Braddock and with a tender fierceness she looked him in the eye and said, “So you just remember who you are. You’re the Bulldog of Bergen, and the Pride of New Jersey. You’re everybody’s hope, and the kids’ hero. And you are the champion of my heart, James J. Braddock.” Incredibly, Braddock won the fight. His determined purpose and his wife’s words gave him strength.
When the battle goes hardest; when the pressure is greatest, when the foe is most fierce, remember who you are!
You are the prize possession of the Living God. You are one of those purchased by Jesus blood. You are the precious child of the Heavenly Father. Then go in His strength and in His name overcome the enemy, Satan.
While we remember and honor loved ones and veterans of all wars, remember Jesus. He loves you and calls you to Himself’ He has selected you; He waits to save you; and when He does, He strengthens you as well.
Choose Jesus – obey Jesus – and be resolved to follow and serve Him until He calls you home.
PRAY / INVITE
