Honoring Those Who Served Our Country

November 11, 2007

Introduction

 

One year ago today, PRESIDENT BUSH delivered this speech for Veterans Day: 

“Members of the Cabinet, Members of Congress, members of the United State military, all veterans, all volunteers who have sworn to uphold the security of the United States, I thank your families for being here and I thank our veterans. I am proud to join you on this day of honor.

 

On this day, in this month, at this hour, our nation remembers the moment when the guns of World War I went silent -- and we recognize the service and the sacrifice of our nation's veterans. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, our veterans have borne the costs of America's wars -- and they have stood watch over America's peace. The American people are grateful to the veterans and all who have fought for our freedom.

Since the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the National Cemetery has reminded our citizens of the cost of liberty. The simple white markers testify to honor fulfilled and duty served. Most of these markers stand over graves of Americans who came home to enjoy the peace they earned. Too many stand over the graves of those who gave their lives to protect that peace. This day is dedicated to all who answered the call to service -- whether they live in honor among us, or sleep in valor beneath this sacred ground.

 

          On this Veterans Day, we give thanks for the 24 million Americans who strengthen our nation with their example of service and sacrifice. Our veterans are drawn from many generations and from many backgrounds. Some charged across great battlefields. Some fought on the high seas. Some patrolled the open skies. And all contributed to the character and to the greatness of America.

 

          On this Veterans Day, we honor a new generation of men and women who are defending our freedom. Since September the 11th, 2001, our Armed Forces have engaged the enemy, the terrorists on many fronts. At this moment, more than 1.4 million Americans are on active duty, serving in the cause of freedom and peace around the world. They are our nation's finest citizens. They confront grave danger to defend the safety of the American people. They've brought down tyrants, they've liberated two nations, they have helped bring freedom to more than 50 million people. Through their sacrifice, they're making this nation safer and more secure -- and they are earning the proud title of veteran.”

 

Yes, today is Veterans’ Day, and will be officially celebrated tomorrow.

 

Body

 

I.        What does the Bible say about honoring others?

 

1. God is concerned about honoring others.

 

(Rom 13:7 NKJV)  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

 

1.      Our country was founded on Christian principles by God fearing men.

2.      Our God is a caring God.

 

2. God is concerned about a good country for His people.

 

1.      Sixteen times in the Old Testament, we find the expression, “good land.”  Every time, it refers to the Promised Land.

2.      In these verses, the message is clear:  A good land is for good people.  When you fail to be good, you lose the land.

 

II.     A good land was to be given to a good people.

 

1. Joshua and Caleb tried to convince the Children of Israel that if God were with them they could have the land.

 

(Num 14:6-9 NKJV)  But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; {7} and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. {8} "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' {9} "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them."

 

1.      Our men in our armed forces are very important, and we honor them for what they have done.

2.      May we never forget God who gives us the victory.

 

(Psa 127:1 NKJV)  Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

 

2. God denied those who left Egypt the right to enter the promised land because of their complaints.

 

(Deu 1:35-36 NKJV)  'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, {36} 'except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.'

 

III.   When God’s people turn away, they lose the blessings of God.

 

(Dan 9:11-13 NKJV)  "Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. {12} "And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem. {13} "As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

 

IV.  Our country.  What can we say?

 

1. How do Muslim people see us?

 

1.      They see us as a Christian nation which makes them hate us.

2.      They also have a code of modesty for their women which may be a mixed idea, but they detest the immodesty of many of our women.

3.      The extremists look upon this war as a “Holy War.”

4.      You must understand that the radical Muslims want this world to be a Muslim world.

 

a.       To make it that, they are willing to kill all who disagree with them.

b.      They call America the great Satan.

 

2.  Today, we honor those who defend our freedoms and protect our country from such extremists.

 

3. May we never forget that it is God Who has ultimately blessed us, and He is the One we must please.

 

(2 Chr 7:14 NKJV)  "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 

4. He is our ultimate defense.

 

(Psa 127:1 NKJV)  Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

 

5. Even so, many will suffer and die for their faith.

 

(Rev 7:13-14 NKJV)  Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" {14} And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Conclusion

 

I.        We want to know all those who are worthy of honor and being remembered.

 

A.     We appreciate our troupes and all those who have served, and are serving our country.

B.     I appreciate our President for the unwavering stand he has taken for what is right.

II.     May we never forget that it is God Who gives us everything we have, including our great country, our defense, and our freedom.

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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