Sermon 6 - The Strength Of Sacrifice Series

Introduction:

A. A funny thing happened to me a number of years ago and I have shared the story with you before, but I think it is a good launching point for today’s sermon.

1. Years ago, while I was driving and using my earpiece, I called my brother, but he didn’t answer, so I left him a message.

2. After I said “good by,” I launched into the song, “Years I spent in vanity and pride.”

a. Sing: “Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified.”

b. Then I moved into an opera style: “Knowing not it was for me he died on Calvary.”

c. When I got to the chorus, I moved into an Irish accent. “Mercy there was great and grace was free. Pardon there was multiplied to me.”

3. Next thing I know, I hear the friendly voice of a lady in my earpiece saying, “I’m sorry, but you have exceeded the time to leave a message.”

4. I had forgotten to end the call and so all of my singing had been recorded for my brother to hear.

5. My brother happened to be on his way to visit our parents and three sisters.

6. They all had a big laugh listening to my singing.

7. Thankfully all this took place before the time of TikTok or I might have gone viral.

B. This story illustrates the difference between being made into a sacrifice and making a self-sacrifice.

1. One is something done to you against your will and the other is something you willingly do to yourself.

2. Self-sacrifice is something most people are not too familiar with, right?

3. But as Christians, disciples of Jesus, we should be very familiar with self-sacrifice.

4. Jesus gave Himself for us as a self-sacrifice and that is what saves us by grace. Thank the Lord!

5. But then, for us to become followers of Jesus, Jesus requires that we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23)

6. In Romans 12:1, Paul uses the language of self-sacrifice when he reminds us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”

7. So, this is something we are called to do and one of the reasons we are called to offer ourselves as self-sacrifices is that it will draw others attention to the self-sacrifice of Jesus.

8. When people witness self-sacrifice, they are drawn to it and are amazed by it.

9. Self-sacrifice touches people’s emotions and melts their hearts.

C. How many of you remember the story of Pat Tillman?

1. His story is a remarkable one: Star athlete walks away from the game in his prime, leaving millions in cash on the table, to put his life at risk in service to his country.

2. Pat Tillman had so much going for him.

a. Academically, Tillman majored in marketing and graduated in 3 ½ years with a 3.84 GPA.

b. Athletically, he was gifted athlete who played football for Arizona State University and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998.

3. In May of 2002, just 8 months after the September 11 attacks, Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million NFL contract to join the military.

a. He enlisted along with his brother, Kevin, who gave up the chance of a career in baseball.

b. The two brothers completed training for the elite Army Ranger school late in 2002.

c. Both Pat and Kevin were deployed to the Middle East as part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

4. Pat was subsequently redeployed to Afghanistan, where, on April 22, 2004, he was killed in action by friendly fire while on patrol.

a. According to the Army, his unit was attacked in an apparent ambush.

5. The then Arizona Cardinals vice president Michael Bidwill (he is now owner and president) said of Tillman, “In sports we have a tendency to overuse terms like courage and bravery and heroes, and then someone like Pat Tillman comes along and reminds us what those terms really mean.”

6. Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagiabue said, “Pat Tillman personified all the best values of his country and the NFL. He was an achiever and leader on many levels who always put his team, his community, and his country ahead of his personal interests.”

7. Former Arizona Senator. Jon Kyl called Tillman, “A great American hero in the truest sense. He had already given up so much, including an incredible football career and loving family to fight for his country in the war on terrorism. His patriotism and courage are an inspiration and we are grateful for his ultimate sacrifice.”

D. There’s that word again…Sacrifice.

1. As I’ve already said, “Sacrifice gets people’s attention and moves people.”