Memorial Day 2025
John 15:13 READ
1 Timothy 3:16
Intro: In April 1863, in Columbus, Georgia, after decorating graves of her two sons who died representing their beloved south-land, an elderly woman walked to two mounds of dirt at the corner of the cemetery to place memorial flowers there also. "
What are you doing?" friends shouted, "Those are the graves of two union soldiers." Softly that compassionate mother said, "I know. I also know that somewhere in the North, a mother or a young wife mourns for them as we do for ours."
That loving deed set in motion our celebration which has become known as Memorial Day.
We honor the war dead once a year,
But their sacrifice is evident every single day of the year!
Today, we want to honor the memory of all those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Those thousands of sacrificed lives were not given in vain!
Because of their sacrifice, we are free today and have the right to assemble ourselves together and worship our God.
Think of the numbers of those who died to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today:
Revolutionary War Civil War WW1 WW2
25,000 620,000 116,516 405,399
Korea Vietnam War on terror 2001-present
36,516 58,209 7,078
Today I don’t want to diminish the sacrifice or service of any of the courageous, valiant, and precious souls that gave of themselves so that we may be free.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Let’s look at one great Solider this morning
This soldier stepped onto the battlefield one day
He took arms and entered the fight knowing that it would cost Him everything
He won a great victory but it came at an even greater price
HE gave His life
Not for a nation
But for all humanity
Transitional Statement: This soldier's death was not in vain, His sacrifice served to set free the captives of sin.
For the child of God
Everyday is Memorial Day
Everyday we should remember the sacrifice of Heaven’s greatest soldier
Today let us honor Jesus and the sacrifice HE made for all of us
1 Timothy 3:16
God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
Let’s never forget His appearing
Jesus laid aside His Heavenly address
Just like every individual that joins the armed service
Is called upon to leave their homes to fulfill the call of service
Jesus left His home
HE had for all of eternity lived in a place of
Perfection
Free from sin
Suffering and death
HE came from a place where HE was exalted, honored and worshipped
He willingly left it all behind to come to a place
That was sin cursed
HE came to place that even those who had been anticipating His arrival would reject Him
HE came to a land where He would be
Ridiculed
Hated
And ultimately He would be Killed
Transitional Statement: HE knew all these things and He came anyway, God robed Himself in human flesh.
He lived as a man among men and died as a man to redeem men from their sins.
Just as our ancestors before us marched on foreign soil to secure democracy and freedom
Our Lord came to Earth in human form to secure our freedom over sin, death, and the grave
Today let’s look at 3 things that will help us realize everyday is Memorial Day for the Christian.
Let us remember His finished work
Pauls says that the Lord was
Justified in the Spirit and seen of angels
This speaks of divine approval
When Jesus came into this world
He was born
He lived
And HE died without sin (2 Cor 5:21)
He perfectly fulfilled the law of God
And His service has been accepted by the Father
Transitional Statement: You and I are no longer under the yoke of the law, I don’t have to try and please God to be saved.
WHY?
Because Jesus has already satisfied the demands of God the Father
The finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ has been accepted by the Father and imputed to all those that believe in Him by faith. (Rom 4:24)
We remember His finished work by remembering His sacrifice
Just as we pause today to remember the brave men and women that have given their lives on the altar of freedom
We should pause and remember the sacrifice of our Lord
The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to die
His death made; Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” a real possibility
Let’s remember the Lord Jesus Christ that took our sins upon Himself and died in our place upon that cross.
Transitional Statement: HE was justified in the Spirit
Some one said the Resurrection of Christ was God’s Amen to everything Jesus claimed to be.
Because He died and rose again, His death has eternal value
Now any lost person can bow before Him
Call on His name
And through faith in His death and resurrection
Be saved forever by the Grace of God
Let us remember His salvation
Paul says
Preached among the Gentiles and Believed on in the world
It's a reminder
His life and death were not for Him
He didn’t do it for Himself
He did what He did because He had a plan to draw all men unto Himself
His salvation opens the door for the Gospel to be spread to people that didn’t know God and didn’t want God
His salvation is proclaimed
Paul says it was preached among the Gentiles
What amazing Grace it is that the Lord Jesus Christ made a way for people like us
What a wonderful gift we have in Christ Jesus that comes from a simple faith
His salvation is powerful
We know this by that phrase
Believed on in the world
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is life changing
I praise the Lord for the day it was shared with me
I thank God that the Gospel went past my ears and into my heart and saved me
Conclusion: Over 1.2 million people, men and women have died to guarantee our freedom.
They gave their all so we can live in this blessed land
Today we honor them and we thank God for them
But I would be remiss if I did not remind you that everyday is Memorial Day!!!
WHY????
Because Heaven’s greatest soldier came to this earth and died to give us eternal freedom from the penalty, power and presence of sin!!!
Let us remember the Lord Jesus Christ, heaven's greatest solider.
May we never forget WHO HE IS
WHAT HE’S DONE FOR US
AND WHERE HE’S TAKING US SOME DAY!!!!
And if you’re here today and you never accepted the free gift of salvation, you can!!!
