. We see a lot of rudeness, and much of it is directed toward the elderly.
Illus: Did you hear about the grandmother that was going to ride a bus downtown with her grandson? She got on the bus, and the bus driver was very rude to her. As she got on the bus with her grandchild, the bus driver looked at the young grandchild and said, "Wow, that is one ugly child!"
The grandmother was deeply hurt. She continued to get on the bus and found a seat next to a young man in the rear of the bus. The young man asked her, "What's wrong? You look upset." She replied, "I am. That bus driver just insulted me."
"You shouldn't take that from him," the young man replied. "He's a public worker and should give you respect. If I were you, I would take his badge number and report him." "You're right young man, I think I will report him." The young man said, "You go on up there and get his badge number. I'll hold your little monkey for you."
Society has to make adjustments for the elderly:
• Many times they can not hear correctly
• Many times they can not see clearly
• Many times they can not move as fast as we can
You can tell a lot about a nation by the way people treat their elderly. But also, you can tell a lot about a nation by the way people treat their veterans.
This is Veteran’s Day weekend. We want to honor and esteem all veterans, and especially those veterans who are with us in the worship service today.
In doing so, we want to take a look at what is required to become a true veteran of the cross of Christ.
In many churches they have two flags before the congregation.
• THE AMERICAN FLAG - represents our country
• THE CHRISTIAN FLAG - represents our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Kingdom
To serve either of these flags (and the kingdoms they represent) faithfully and effectively, one must meet certain requirements. We have to consider that -
I. IT IS A SERVICE OF CHOICE
Through the ages of time, nations have had to consider how they would recruit soldiers to fight their battles.
The first U.S. draft occurred during the Civil War, but in 1973, President Richard Nixon inaugurated the All Volunteer Force (AVF). Critics immediately stated they were concerned that volunteerism would not provide enough replacements should war come.
The military has had no trouble filling its ranks with top-quality people:
• Many military young men and woman are, in fact, better educated and brighter than their civilian counterparts
• During the first half of Fiscal Year 1990, for instance, 91 percent of new recruits had graduated from high school, compared with 75 percent of all 18-to 24-year-olds under the draft.
As of today, a young man does not have to be concerned about receiving a draft notice from Uncle Sam telling him he must SERVE!
America no longer compels men and women to serve in the military service of their country. They are asked to volunteer to serve.
Illus: The Libertarian party in this country promotes a volunteer army more so than other political parties. They state it this way in their party platform, “We oppose the draft (Selective Service), believing that the use of force to require individuals to serve in the armed forces or anywhere else is a violation of their rights, and that a well-paid volunteer army is a more effective means of national defense than the involuntary servitude exemplified by the draft.”
WHY HAVE WE GONE TO AN ALL VOLUNTEER ARMY? Because we recognize that anytime someone does something because they are forced to do it, they will not do it in the same manner as someone who does something because they are dedicated to doing it.
God must think the same way, because if you become a soldier of God it will be because you VOLUNTEERED. He does not force anyone to serve!
For example, he is not:
• Going to kick you out of bed on Sunday morning. He wants you to come to church because you are grateful for the opportunity to worship Him for His goodness to us.
• Going to knock you down and take your billfold and pull out the tithes and offerings that belong to Him. He wants you to give voluntarily.
• Going to force any sinner to accept Him.
Everything we do in our service for Him has to be because we love Him enough to serve.
The Holy Spirit who serves as the recruiting agent for the Kingdom of God, goes out into the lost world and does all that He can to recruit men and women to volunteer to serve. It is the will of God that all should serve, but He does not force anyone to serve.
Look at 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
• The Holy Spirit is pleading today for the SAINTS to volunteer to give their bodies to His service.
• The Holy Spirit is pleading today for the SINNERS to volunteer to give their life to God before it is to late.
IT IS A SERVICE OF CHOICE and -
II. IT IS A SERVICE OF CARING
The soldier serves because he cares for his country, and Uncle Sam promises to provide for his needs while he serves.
• When you serve this (point to American) flag, you must have faith in the American government, that it will supply your every need. Your food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, and even your companions are supplied by your government.
• When you serve this (point to Christian) flag, you must also have faith in the one who has called you into His service, that He will supply your every need. You will not have to worry about your physical needs when you serve Christ.
This is why the Lord said, in Matthew 6:31 33, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The Lord wants to assure the soldiers in His army who have put their service to Him in the forefront of their life. He says, “All these things shall be added unto you.”
Missionaries, Pastors and Christians all over the world can tell all kinds of wonderful stories about how God miraculously provided for them.
For example, look at the life of Moses and see how God provided for him as he led the children of Israel out of bondage. Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?
They had to be fed, and feeding between 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that:
• Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!
• Remember that they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day.
• And just think, they were forty years in transit.
• And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
• And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.
• But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long........ think of it! This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?
Our God is an Awesome God! As we provide the loving SERVICE, God provides the loving CARE of those who serve Him.
IT IS A SERVICE OF CHOICE, IT IS A SERVICE OF CARING and -
III. IT IS A SERVICE OF COMMITMENT
It would be ill advised for anyone to join one of the branches of the military unless they are willing to make a total commitment because they believe in what they are doing.
They have to be willing to commit themselves to putting service to this country:
• Above family
• Above careers
• Above hobbies
• Above friends
It requires a total commitment that UNCLE SAM comes first! In essence, your life no longer exists. IT NOW BELONGS TO UNCLE SAM!
• When you serve this (American) flag, you are expected to be completely committed to your country and to allow nothing to prevent you from performing your duties and serving faithfully.
• When you serve this (Christian) flag, you are also expected to be completely committed to Christ and His Kingdom. You are expected to serve Him faithfully, not allowing anything to keep you from doing His will.
The New Testament teaches this. Look at Luke 5:11, “And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.”
Today’s Christians can not comprehend such a commitment. However, we do find commitment in some areas of people’s lives today, such as:
(1) WE CERTAINLY SEE IT IN SPORTS
Illus: Did you hear about the young man who was very excited because he just won a ticket to the Super Bowl? His excitement lessened as he realized his seat was in the back of the stadium. As he searched the rows ahead of him for a better seat, he found an empty one right next to the field. He approached the man sitting next to the empty seat and asked if it was taken. The man replied, "No." Amazed, the young man asked, "How could someone pass up a seat like this?" The older gentleman responded, "That's my wife's seat. We've been to every Super Bowl together since the day we were married but she has passed away." "Oh, how sad," the man said. "I'm sorry to hear that, but couldn't you find a friend or relative to come with you?"
"No," the man said, "They're all at her funeral."
In the world of sports, we see an amazing commitment on the part of many.
(2) WE CERTAINLY SEE IT IN SOME MARRIAGES
One of the beautiful things in life is to see a couple totally committed to each other.
Illus: Missionary Bill Way has a lovely log cabin home in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Dr. Odell Belger and Bill had a project they were going to do together on his house, but his wife had a doctor’s appointment. Dr. Belger’s wife saw that the doctor’s appointment was creating some problems in their scheduled project, so she volunteered to take her to the doctor’s office. But in a pleasant way, she declined. She said, “Bill and I do everything together and I will wait until we can go together.” Mrs. Belger understood exactly what she was talking about. Anyone who knows this couple, knows how they are totally committed to each other.
There are some couples that are so committed to each other that they have truly become one. Listen, it is beautiful to see a couple that is totally committed to each other.
Illus: When you do not have this commitment in marriages you have some terrible situations.
• One lady was asked, "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" the other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."
• Someone said, “Man is incomplete until he is married. Then he is really finished.”
Someone else said, “Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his bachelor's degree and the woman gets her master's.”
• One husband was asked by his little boy, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?” And the father replied, “I don't know, son, I'm still paying for it.”
• After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, “You know, I was a fool when I married you.” And the husband replied, “Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice.”
But while there are many marriages that lack commitment, there are marriages today where the husband and wife are totally committed to each other. They do not allow ANYONE or ANYTHING to come between them and their spouse.
It is because of this type of relationship that Christ compares the Church to being His Bride.
Service in the Lord’s army requires TOTAL COMMITMENT.
• Luke 14:33. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
• Phil. 3:8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”
IT IS A SERVICE OF CHOICE, IT IS A SERVICE OF CARING, IT IS A SERVICE OF COMMITMENT and -
IV. IT IS A SERVICE OF COMPLYING
• When you serve this (American) flag, you are required to follow orders and are expected to be obedient to the letter
• When you serve this (Christian) flag, Christ expects and requires no less
Look at John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Illus: John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace", said: "… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.”
“It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God.”
For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do.
Conclusion:
To be a true spiritual veteran, one must be completely devoted to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. To become true veterans of the cross, we must first be good soldiers of the cross. May the Lord, this Veteran’s Day, make us all true Spiritual Veterans.
Illus: Dr. B. H. Carroll, founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary prayed the following prayer shortly after he was converted.
Write thy name on my head
that I may think for thee;
Write thy name on my lips
that I may speak for thee;
Write thy name on my feet
that I may walk with and for thee;
Write thy name on my ears
that I may listen for thee;
Write thy name on my heart
that I may love thee;
Write thy name on my shoulders
that I may bear loads for thee;
Write thy name on my eyes
that I may see for thee;
Write thy name all over me
that I may be wholly thine -- always and everywhere.
(Robert G. Lee, _Sermonic Library_, pp. 150-51.)
I. IT IS A SERVICE OF CHOICE
II. IT IS A SERVICE OF CARING
III. IT IS A SERVICE OF COMMITMENT
IV. IT IS A SERVICE OF COMPLIANCE
