Memorial Day

May 29, 2005

Introduction

Tomorrow is celebrated as Memorial Day. What is the meaning of Memorial Day, and how did it begin? “It's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of Memorial Day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971)

Originally, it started with the Civil War. To me, the best known memorial document is the Gettysburg address. It consists of 278 words and can be read in two or three minutes. It is so short that some in attendance that day did not realize the President was making the speech until he had concluded it. It really says a lot in a few words:

GETTYSBURG ADDRESS (1863)

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that the nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

I love it when statesmen turn to preaching. I thank God for such men. I thank God for President Bush who, just this past week, was making a point that even frozen embryos are potential people and made mention that many of these have been adopted, and are now living, breathing people. If I recall correctly, several of these were present as he spoke.

I love to hear Zell Miller speak. In a recent interview, he spoke of himself as having a spiritual rebirth. He went on to say that our country is divided into two large groups. He said that on the one hand there is a group which includes many of the entertainers and athletes of our nation which are not pulling our country up morally, but rather are pulling it down. He spoke also of the Christian influences which are pulling our nation up.

Today, as we think of Memorial Day, we are all reminded of the great sacrifices that have been made, and are being made by our men in the military, but I am reminded of Lincoln’s words, “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”

This morning, I submit to you that America has an urgent need today to return to the God Who made America great. It is urgent that we involve ourselves in doing God’s will and encouraging others to serve Him, and seek His face.

Body

I. God will help the righteous nation.

A. God will exalt the righteous nation.

(Prov 14:34) Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

B. Solomon recognized the connection of God with government.

(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.

1. will humble themselves, -- There is a lot of pride and arrogance in people we know .

2. and pray – God loves a praying people.

3. and seek My face-- Seek to do God’s will. Seek His approval.

4. turn from their wicked ways, -- cease to do evil, and learn to do well.

II. God’s will is that we pray for our government and leaders.

(1 Tim 2:1-4 NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, {2} for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. {3} For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, {4} who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

III. As Christians, we are to submit to the laws of the land that do not violate God’s laws.

That’s the message from Paul.

(Rom 13:1-7 NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. {2} Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. {4} For he is God's minister [deacon, minister, servant] to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. {5} Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. {6} For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. {7} 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. It is appropriate that we pause to honor those whom we should honor.

2. We need to remember those whom we need to honor.

It is a message similar to that of Peter.

(1 Pet 2:13-17 NKJV) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, {14} or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. {15} For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; {16} as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. {17} Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Conclusion

I. I. It is appropriate that we honor, and remember those who have given their lives for our country.

II. II. It is even more appropriate that we honor God by obeying Him.

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