Wearing The Uniform

Wearing The Uniform : Matthew 16:24

1. Wearing the Uniform with Purpose

• Personal Statement: “Today I wear my uniform to recognize the first responders who have taken up their cross.”

• These men wear the uniform for essential personal protection from hazards like heat, flames, smoke, and chemicals, as well as for easy identification and professional appearance.

• The "turnout gear" or "bunker gear" is made of fire-resistant materials designed to withstand extreme conditions, while standard station uniforms project a professional and authoritative image to the public.

• as firefighters wear a uniform, Jesus wears the uniform of deny thy self" means that self-denial is the core discipline and identity of Jesus, much like a uniform represents a firefighter's commitment to duty

• It illustrates how Jesus's life of self-sacrifice defines his mission and is the uniform that all who follow him are called to wear as well.

2. Today we remember 9/11 as A Day of Sacrifice

• Four hijacked planes. Two were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. A third was crashed into the Pentagon. And the fourth was heading toward Washington, D.C., but crashed in a Pennsylvania field when passengers bravely overwhelmed the terrorists.

• Almost 3,000 people died, 25,000 were injured, and many others suffered long-term health problems.

• 498 first responders, firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel perished in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

• Results of extreme bravery many others survived who knows where the plane was headed when the folks of flight 93 over whelmed the terrorists. If they had not taken up the cross who knows how many more would have perished,

• These folks put on a uniform deny self and follow a higher purpose.

• Missionaries spreading the Gospel in remote lands. Sacrifice

• 9/11 heroes risked everything for strangers. Jesus calls the redeemed to wear the uniform of courage, compassion, and conviction.

3. Jesus calls us to put on the uniform as a follower “Take up the cross and follow me”

• Lets follow Jesus as one who is Giving up status to help others.

• We wear the uniform of Giving Donating generously to those in need.

• Look in Bulletin last Sunday’s contributions you put on the uniform

• Choosing service over power.

4. Firefighter wear the uniform of Bravery

• “Run Toward Danger”• Are we running toward others’ pain or away from it?

• Firefighters are“Flame Extinguishers & Hope Igniters”• Paul encouraged the fearful: “I can do all things through Christ…” Moses ignited hope in Joshua: “Be strong and courageous…

5. Firefighters they wear the uniform because they may Save a Lives and Dreams

• “Firefighters don’t just save buildings—they save lives and dreams.”

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6. Firefighter wear their uniforms because they are Guardians of Our Communities

• “Brave and unyielding, firefighters are the guardians of our communities.”

• Are we guardians of our neighborhoods, schools, and churches?

• John Wesley: “The world is my parish.”

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7. Finally , Let’s wear the uniform

• because we have a purpose,

• we are the followers, we are brave,

• we save lives, and dreams,

• we are the guardians it is our path to the cross.