Remember Me

REMEMBER ME

(MEMORIAL DAY)

INTRODUCTION: Webster's defines memorial as, "something designed to keep

remembrance alive". Memorial Day commemorates those who gave their lives in

serving their country. Memorial Day can also be a day to commemorate the one

who gave His life in serving mankind. It's important to remember both and

Memorial Day can help us do that. What does Memorial Day prompt us to reflect

on?

1) MEMORIAL DAY PROMPTS US TO REFLECT ON SACRIFICE. Jesus said in

John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for

his friends." Memorial Day helps us to remember the men and women of the

armed forces who have sacrificed their lives serving the USA. Memorial Day

prompts us to reflect on the love they had in being willing to give their all in love

for their fellow man. This kind of sacrifice involves self-denial and an undying

committment to the cause. It involves a willingness to face dangerous situations

and press on despite fear. It involves staying true to the mission even if means

death. This is the love and sacrifice of those we honor today. These are also the

attributes of Jesus. His life was one of self denial and sacrifice. Jesus had an

undying committment to the cause of saving mankind from their sins. Jesus'

mission was death. Jesus' purpose was to give his life as a ransom as he said of

himself in Matthew 20:28, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be

served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Memorial Day prompts us to reflect on sacrifce.

2) MEMORIAL DAY PROMPTS US TO REFLECT ON FREEDOM. Memorial Day

allows us to remember the benefit we've received from the sacrifice of the valiant

soldier; which is freedom. There's a poem that reads, in part, 'It is the soldier, not

the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the clergy, who has

given us freedom of religion. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who has

given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves

beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.' The soldiers we are

remembering on Memorial Day fought and gave their lives for freedom from

possible tyranny and dictatorship. They fought to preserve our inalienable rights.

If not for the bravery of those in battle, if not for the strong men and women

throughout history who were willing to die for freedom's sake, we would not be a

free nation. As Memorial Day prompts us to reflect on our national freedom,

there's another freedom that Memorial Day can prompt us to reflect on-our

spiritual freedom. John 8:34-36. Without the unmatched valor of Jesus, we

wouldn't have the possibility to become free from sin's tyranny. If not for Jesus'

willingness to die for freedom's sake, we would still be held in bondage to sin's

power and subject to sin's penalty which is death. But, in order to be truly free,

we need to respond to the truth and we need to hold to the truth. Jesus said in

John 8:31&32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Memorial Day

prompts us to reflect on freedom.

3) MEMORIAL DAY PROMPTS US TO NEVER FORGET. Memorial Day is in

place so that we don't forget the depth of service and sacrifice of our nation's

fallen heroes. But as we're called on to remember the soldier's sacrificial offering,

we are also called on to remember Jesus' sacrificial offering. 1st Cor. 11:23-26.

Taking part in Communion is a reminder for those who have been set free to

remember the death of the one who gave us life. Regarding the Savior as well as

the soldier, we always need to remember; lest we forget.

CONCLUSION: POEM.

I watched the flag pass by one day, it fluttered in the breeze;

A young Marine saluted it, and then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform, so young, so tall, so proud;

with hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought, how many men like him had fallen through the years?

How many died on foreign soil, how many Mother's tears?

How many pilot's planes shot down above the deep blue sea?

How many foxholes were soldier's graves, no, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night, when everything was still;

I listened to the bugler play, and felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times, that Taps had meant, 'Amen';