Veteran’s Day
November 13, 2011
Introduction
Last Friday was Veteran’s Day. What or who is a Veteran? Let’s start with Webster’s Definition of a Veteran:
• VET'ERAN, a. [L. veteranus, from vetero, to grow old, from vetus, old.]
Having been long exercised in any thing; long practiced or experienced; as a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill.
VET'ERAN, n. One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has grown old in service and has had much experience. -- Webster
Body
I. How did Veterans Day get started?
• History of Veterans Day
• World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities,
• History of Veterans Day
• between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
• (This day was called Armistice Day, and later the name was changed to Veterans Day)
II. How can we describe war?
• It can be deadly! It can break up families. It involves a great price to pay – a sacrifice! It involves volunteers. It involves recruiters. It involves striving for victory. It involves fighting for a cause. A cause that is greater than we are. It requires dedication.
- Two Kinds of Wars
1. There are military wars
2. There is a spiritual war
- The greatest freedom is in Christ.
- It is about Freedom
(John 8:31-34 NKJV) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. {32} "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” {33} They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" {34} Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
- Be a good soldier
(2 Tim 2:3 NKJV) You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
1. Fight the Good Fight!
(1 Tim 6:11-12 NKJV) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. {12} Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2. Sometimes there are Deserters
(2 Tim 4:9-11 NKJV) Be diligent to come to me quickly; {10} for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica; Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. {11} Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
3. The War will be over.
(2 Tim 4:6-8 NKJV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
a. Hang in there!
(Rev 2:10 NKJV) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
b. Endure to the end.
(Mat 10:22 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
c. Paul looked back on life.
(Rom 8:18 NKJV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
III. Why Do We Honor Veterans?
• We honor them for their sacrifice. For their courage. For risking or giving their lives that we might be free. Why Did We Call it Armistice Day? It was called Armistice Day because the fighting was over! It was the day of peace. Hostility had ended!
IV. We are to be in God’s Service.
- At Peace with God
(Eph 2:17 NKJV) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
- But we were the victors!
Because we won the war we retained the life we had fought to keep. We were not the captured or the defeated. We were not reduced to servitude.
- We are victors in Christ
(1 Cor 15:57-58 NKJV) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- More than conquerors
(Rom 8:37 NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
- Final Victory to be granted by God
(2 Cor 5:10-11 NKJV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. {11} Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
- So we need to be recruiters for God
(2 Cor 5:11 NKJV) Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
- Are you a Veteran?
VET'ERAN,
Having been long exercised in any thing; long practiced or experienced; as a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill.
VET'ERAN, n. One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has grown old in service and has had much experience. -- Webster
- Are you a veteran in the Lord’s army.
(2 Tim 4:7-8 NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. {8} Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
- It is a Marathon
(Mark 13:13 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
- Not all Veterans have long service
1. Some become deserters as Demas.
2. Some enter the battle later in life.
3. Some enter the battle later in life.
(Mat 20:1-14 NKJV) "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. {2} "Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {3} "And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, "and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. {5} "Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. {6} "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ {7} "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' {8} "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' {9} "And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. {10} "But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. {11} "And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, {12} "saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ {13} "But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? {14} 'Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
Conclusion
I. It’s never too late to join the Lord’s army!
• Have you joined the Lord’s Army?
• It’s never too late, but don’t wait!
• We have no guarantee of tomorrow.
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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