The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice

May 25, 2025- Memorial Day

(E-Service, plumbing issue)

Scripture- John 15:12-14

Introduction: A Day to Remember and Reflect

This weekend we are celebrating Memorial Day. This is a time of remembrance and gratitude. It’s a time when we look to the sacrifice of the brave men and women who have died in service to our country.

Something that is just as personal to me as a veteran, is the last week was also the national EMS week, where we recognize those who have and are serving as first responders, EMTs and Paramedics.

So I ask that tomorrow you take a moment, step away from the grill, the cookouts, and the gatherings and remember brave men and women who have fallen in war, as well as those in protective services—firefighters, EMS personnel, and police officers—who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our safety and freedom. Their courage and selflessness remind us of the profound cost of the liberties we enjoy and the peace we cherish.

As followers of Jesus, Memorial Day invites us to reflect not only on sacrifices that people have made but also on the divine example of love that undergirds it.

The Gospel of John, chapter 15 Jesus give us instructions on how to remember and to live this ideal.

Jesus reaches through the ages to us saying in verse 12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:12-14, CSB).

Let’s seek HIM in prayer this morning

Today, we are going to remember and honor the fallen, reflect on their sacrifices, and see in them a reflection of the greatest love of all—the love of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us, His friends.

This morning’s sermon will unfold in three parts.

First, we will remember and honor those who have fallen in war and protective services, acknowledging their courage and the legacy they leave behind. Second, we will explore the meaning of sacrifice and the love that motivates it, drawing parallels between human selflessness and the divine pattern of Christ’s love. Finally, we will consider how Jesus’ command to “love one another” calls us to live out this love in our daily lives, becoming friends of Christ by following His example.

Let’s start off with

Part 1: Remembering and Honoring the Fallen

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It had its start after the Civil War to honor those who died in that brutal conflict. Over time, it expanded to commemorate all American service members who gave their lives in war—World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and countless other conflicts. These men and women left behind families, dreams, and futures to serve a cause greater than themselves. They stood in the gap, defending freedom, protecting the vulnerable, and upholding the values of justice and peace.

Think of the soldier or Marine who ran into enemy fire to save a wounded comrade, knowing the risk to their own life. Picture the sailor who because of their belief in the duty entrusted to them, stayed at their post as their ship sank, ensuring others could escape. Recall the airman who flew one last mission, fully aware it might be their last. These stories are not just tales of heroism; they are testaments to a love that puts others first, a love that says, “Your life matters, and I will protect it, even at the cost of my own.”

But our remembrance today extends beyond the battlefield. We also honor those in protective services who have given their lives in the line of duty. Firefighters who rush into burning buildings, police officers who confront danger to keep our communities safe, paramedics who risk their bodies and their mental health to save the sick—these are our everyday heroes. I say mental health because the greatest killer of our protective services is not the immediate danger of their job- it’s the incredible strain in places on their hearts and minds, leading some to suicide.

Their sacrifices are no less profound, no less worthy of our gratitude.

As we honor these fallen heroes, we recognize the weight of their sacrifice. They did not seek glory or fame; many simply answered a call to serve. They laid down their lives—some in a single, defining moment. Most others, through years of quiet dedication that that resulted in missed family events, significant sleep deprivation, on the job injuries, and even violence from the very people they swore to serve.

Finally a very difficult decision to retire from their life calling. It wasn’t a retirement with palm trees and beaches- it was simply a realization that their bodies and minds could no longer sustain their passion and calling. Both their lives and their deaths remind us that freedom, safety, and peace are not free. They come at a cost, paid by those willing to give everything.