Friday, June 16, 2006
May 28, 2006--Memorial Day
Note: Posts here are taken from the loose outline notes of the pastor. Actual sermon delivered may have varied. No recording available. Sorry!
Text: Matthew 16:24; John 13:15; 2 Timothy 1:7
This is the weekend where we honor and commemorate the sacrifices of our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifices, where we remember the valiant and the honorable. This is the weekend where we honor those who were brave and stood for us, and stood for freedom's march, both here and abroad. However, this weekend to me is not, as some would say, about death as it is about life.
Not all are called to die for Christ. Most are called to live for Christ. Most are called to gather more disciples by how they live, not how they die. They are to be soldiers advancing the cause through their example.
Likewise, our soldiers, we should never forget those who died, but we need to remember how they lived, and what they died and lived for. Therefore, I don't think the barbeques and such are a bad idea, though I do think we need to set aside time to talk about exactly what we are doing having the barbeque and what the day is about. By looking at what these men were living and dying for, you can see the value of their sacrifice. To see what they were willing to give up tells us something about the cause they were fighting for, and should serve to inspire.
Likewise, we need to look at not just Christ's death, but at His life. We need to remember how He lived, not just how He died. We need to model those same beliefs and and attitudes of Christ, as we ought to model the sacrificing spirit of the Soldiers who passed, as well.
By seeing what was given up, in addition to deaths, it helps us to cherish the gift of freedom they have given us, it helps us to understand more what is great about this land and about our people. Likewise, by looking at how Christ lived, it give us more appreciation for His sacrifice, for His wisdom, and for His example.
And We can do it. We can rise up and live as Christ did, we can be called upon to sacrifice. Because, we as Christians were given a Spirit, a Spirit of power, not timidity. Just as I believe that our soldiers and those who defend us have a special spirit, a special something, that makes them heroes.
Those soldiers were fighting for our way of life. They loved and treasured it. Likewise, we are fighting to bring something special to the world. They fought to bring freedom to our land, to Europe, to Asia, and today to bring freedom to the MidEast. They are bringing God's gift of freedom to places, and so are we.
By remembering not just their deaths, but their lives, we can value and appreciate our story more. By remembering how Christ lived, we can better serve the kingdom.
Text: Matthew 16:24; John 13:15; 2 Timothy 1:7
This is the weekend where we honor and commemorate the sacrifices of our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifices, where we remember the valiant and the honorable. This is the weekend where we honor those who were brave and stood for us, and stood for freedom's march, both here and abroad. However, this weekend to me is not, as some would say, about death as it is about life.
Not all are called to die for Christ. Most are called to live for Christ. Most are called to gather more disciples by how they live, not how they die. They are to be soldiers advancing the cause through their example.
Likewise, our soldiers, we should never forget those who died, but we need to remember how they lived, and what they died and lived for. Therefore, I don't think the barbeques and such are a bad idea, though I do think we need to set aside time to talk about exactly what we are doing having the barbeque and what the day is about. By looking at what these men were living and dying for, you can see the value of their sacrifice. To see what they were willing to give up tells us something about the cause they were fighting for, and should serve to inspire.
Likewise, we need to look at not just Christ's death, but at His life. We need to remember how He lived, not just how He died. We need to model those same beliefs and and attitudes of Christ, as we ought to model the sacrificing spirit of the Soldiers who passed, as well.
By seeing what was given up, in addition to deaths, it helps us to cherish the gift of freedom they have given us, it helps us to understand more what is great about this land and about our people. Likewise, by looking at how Christ lived, it give us more appreciation for His sacrifice, for His wisdom, and for His example.
And We can do it. We can rise up and live as Christ did, we can be called upon to sacrifice. Because, we as Christians were given a Spirit, a Spirit of power, not timidity. Just as I believe that our soldiers and those who defend us have a special spirit, a special something, that makes them heroes.
Those soldiers were fighting for our way of life. They loved and treasured it. Likewise, we are fighting to bring something special to the world. They fought to bring freedom to our land, to Europe, to Asia, and today to bring freedom to the MidEast. They are bringing God's gift of freedom to places, and so are we.
By remembering not just their deaths, but their lives, we can value and appreciate our story more. By remembering how Christ lived, we can better serve the kingdom.
# posted by Mark : 5:08 PM
