Remembering

Remembering John 15:13

ILL. Maybe you heard about a guy named John who had a really horrible memory. One day John ran into a friend whom he had not seen in a long time. He greeted him & said, “Bill, do you remember what a bad memory I had?” Bill answered, “Yes, I certainly do.” “Well, it’s not bad any more. I went to a seminar that taught us how to remember things. It was a great seminar, & now I have a wonderful memory.”

Bill answered, “That’s great! What was the name of the seminar?” “Well,” John said, “wait a minute, my wife went with me. I’ll ask her.” He turned & saw his wife nearby. Then he turned back to Bill & said, “What’s the name of that flower with a long stem & thorns & a red bloom?” “Do you mean a rose?” Bill answered, “Yeah, thanks,” John said, “Hey, Rose, what’s the name of that seminar we attended?”

We are prone to forget. Occasionally our memories have to be prompted !

It is quite obvious from the Bible that remembering is something which is important to the Lord. He also understands that we are prone to be forgetful.

It is interesting to note that the words "remember", "remembrance", and "memorial" are found over 230 times in the Bible !

The Lord commanded his people in the O.T. to observe certain days as days of "remembrance".

They were to observe the "passover" feast in remembrance of God’s deliverance of them from Egypt through the blood of the lamb.

In the N.T. as well, the church was given the ordinance of "communion" as a way to "remember" what Christ did for us on the cross.

Tomorrow is "Memorial Day". It was set aside as a day to remember those who have lost their lives in defense of freedom ! Yet, to so many it has become only another day off from work, another excuse to go to the lake, have a barbeque or party !

This morning, as we look at the subject of "remembering" I want to share with you 3 important things that we need to remember !

I. We Need To Remember The Soldiers Who Died For Our Freedom !

Let every nation know...whether it wishes us well or ill....that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the sucess of LIBERTY ! -John F. Kennedy 1-20-61

Jesus said in John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In the Civil War, 365,000 Northern soldiers were killed, and 133,000 soldiers from the South died.

In World War I, 116,000 American soldiers were killed. In World War II, 407,000 died, 54,000 died in Korea, 58,000 in Vietnam, 148 in the Gulf War. And as of 5/25 1,648 American soldiers have died in Iraq and 185 in Afghanistan.

More than a million Americans have died in our wars, each one much loved by someone.

Everyone of those men, and women paid the ultimate price in support of, and defense of our freedom ! We are free today.....free to pray, free to worship, free to speak, free to assemble, free to vote because of them !

These men, and women are our real heroe’s !

• It is the soldier, not the theologian, who has secured our freedom of religion.

• It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has secured our freedom of the press.

• It is the soldier, not the protestor, who has secured our freedom to demonstrate.

• It is the soldier, not the judge or the lawyer, who has secured our judicial system.

• It is the soldier, not the entrepreneur, who has secured our economic opportunity.

• It is the soldier, whose coffin is draped in the flag, who has secured freedom for those who wish to burn the flag.

A Man is not Dead until he is Forgotten...

We must not forget !

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified shall be directional proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. - George Washington

II. We Need To Remember The Saints Who Are Dying For Their Faith !

Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body

We are so spoiled. We take for granted the marvelous liberties that we have !

Millions do not enjoy the liberties that we do ! It is important that we remember our brothers, and sisters in Christ who suffer ! They are members of our body. We need to remember those who are in bonds, and those who suffer adversity !