Sermon for 5/29/2005
Memorial Day
Introduction:
Memorial Day is an official holiday of the United States. It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when for convenience, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. It is also known as Decoration Day.
The custom of placing flowers on the graves of the war began on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, NY, and Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. In 1868, Gen. John Logan, then president of the Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate with “flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of the country.”
After World War I the day was set aside to honor all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington national Cemetery.
WBTU:
A. Tomorrow we will celebrate this day. Many people see it as just a day off; a 3 day weekend. But for those who have lost someone because of war or military action, it means much more than a day off.
In fact, every American ought to recognize this day out of his patriotic duty to his country and in honor of those who spilled their blood to make America what she is today--free, strong, and a nation worth fighting for.
Because men have died for this country, we have the right to preach God’s word freely. We have the right to live at peace in our own homes. We have the right to pursue peace, prosperity and happiness. Thank God for those who died to make us free.
A. When we think of those who have given their lives for our country, it fills me with awe and gratitude but also fear. Think about the situations those soldiers and others were going through right before they paid the ultimate sacrifice.
B. This would have been a time of trouble, a time of distress. The Bible makes mention of times of trouble, times of distress.
Thesis: God is our strength, stronghold, and salvation in times of trouble, times of distress.
For instances:
I. God is our strength
A. Jeremiah prayed to the Lord and said of God, “(Jer 16:19 NIV) O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress.
B. ILLUSTRATION from “Stories from the Heart”
It was a few weeks before Christmas 1917. The beautiful snowy landscapes of Europe were blackened by war.
The trenches on one side held the Germans and on the other side the trenches were filled with Americans. It was World War I. The exchange of gunshots was intense. Separating them was a very narrow strip of no-man’s-land. A young German soldier attempting to cross that no-man’s-land had been shot and had become entangled in the barbed wire. He cried out in anguish, and then in pain he continued to whimper.
Between the shells all the Americans in that sector could hear him scream. When one American soldier could stand it no longer, he crawled to that German soldier. When the Americans realized what he was doing they stopped firing, but the Germans continued. Then a German officer realized what the young American was doing and he ordered his men to cease firing. Now there was a weird silence across the no-man’s-land. On his stomach, the American made his way to that German soldier and disentangled him. He stood up with the German in his arms, walked straight to the German trenches and placed him in the waiting arms of his comrades. Having done so, he turned and started back to the American trenches.
Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder that spun him around. There stood a German officer who had won the Iron Cross, the highest German honor for bravery. He jerked it from his own uniform and placed it on the American, who walked back to the American trenches. When he was safely in the trenches, they resumed the insanity of war!
C. (Hab 3:19 NIV) The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
D. What makes American strong? Is it our natural resources? Is it our economic and business know-how? Is it our government? Is it our military? No, what makes American strong today as in the past is our dependence on God. God is the one who gives strength and God is the one who takes strength away.
E. Jeremiah said in (Lam 1:14 NIV) the Lord has sapped my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot withstand.
F. We are slowly being handed over to those that we cannot withstand. Why? Because we are not relying upon God for our strength.
G. (Isa 40:30 NIV) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;(Isa 40:31 NIV) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
H. Who gives the soldier the strength to go into a battle and suffer there? It is the Lord. Who gives a soldier the strength to do something heroic like was just mentioned? IT is the Lord.
I. In the past the US shined during times of trouble and distress. Why? Because God gave us strength.
II. God is our stronghold
A. God is our stronghold, fortress. On the high ground or in a walled city.
B. God is also a refuge, a shelter from the storm. A place where we are safe, secure.
C. (Psa 37:39 NIV) The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
D. (Psa 27:1 NIV) Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?
E. When we know that the Lord is our stronghold then we can say things like this! I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will die in this army and I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in the Sunday school, to teach the children, work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn. He can use me because I am there! I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my need. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to allow me to live with Him. I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me? Guess what? If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you’re already enlisted!
F. We can always retreat into the stronghold of the Lord.
G. (2 Tim 2:3 NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
III. God is our salvation.
A. (Isa 33:2 NIV) O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
B. (2 Sam 22:3 NIV) my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-- from violent men you save me.
C. (Psa 118:14 NIV) The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.(Psa 118:15 NIV) Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!(Psa 118:16 NIV) The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!"(Psa 118:17 NIV) I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
D. How can you say this, this is Memorial Day Weekend and they did die. The Lord did not save them from death.
E. (Psa 119:155 NIV) Salvation is far from the wicked
F. The Lord did not save them from death on the battlefield, but for Christians God will save them for all eternity.
G. (John 11:25 NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;(John 11:26 NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
H. Three tenses to salvation:
1. God has saved us through Christ. At the cross.
2. God is saving us today through the plan of salvation.
3. God will save us when we enter into his courts and go into heaven.
I. We are thankful to all who have paid the price for our freedom. (John 15:13 NIV) Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.
Conclusion:
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. Then began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took careful aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn’t let go."
We might have scars on our bodies from a battlefield or some other event that shows us that Jesus Christ would not let go of us. However, we do know that as Christians Jesus Christ will never let go of us.
Steve Camp- Now I know that there is a love that will not let me go. I can face tomorrow, because you hold me forever. Stronger than the mighty winds that blow; I’m safe within your arms... love that will not let me go.
How do we know? The marks are not on our bodies but on his. Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand.
