They Gave Their Lives

They Gave Their Lives!
May 25, 2008
Introduction

"A man must live! We justify

Low shift and trick to treason high;

A little vote for a little gold;

Or a whole Senate bought and sold,

With this self-evident reply –

'A man must live!'

But is it so? Pray tell me why

Life at such cost you have to buy.

In what religion were you told?

A man must live!

There are times when a man must die!

There are times when a man will die!

Imagine for a baffle cry

From soldiers with a sword to hold,

From soldiers with a flag unfurled,

This coward's whine, this liar's lie,

'A man must live!'

The Saviour did not live!

He died!

But in His death was life -

Life for Himself and all mankind!

He found His life by losing it!

And we, being crucified

Afresh with Him, may find

Life in the cup of death,

And, drinking it,

Have life forevermore!"

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. It is a day in which I am reminded again of the poem we just read again. Memorial Day From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, gives this information:

Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day; and for many years observed on May 30, regardless of the day of the week. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.

“The US took more than 4,000 killed in action on the morning of June 6, 19 44, the first day of the Normandy Invasion to rid Europe of Nazi Imperialism. In W.W.II the US averaged 2,000 KIA a week -- for four years. Most of the individual battles o f W.W.II lost more Americans than the entire Iraq war has done so far.” from Every American Needs to Read This.

This week end has been set aside as a time to remember those brave, sacrificial men and women who have given the last full measure of devotion to defend our freedom. While Memorial Day is specifically for remembering the dead, we need to also give thanks and appreciation to the living who have served in our armed forces.

Body

I. What does the Bible say about honoring people?

A. We are told to honor our parents.

(Eph 6:1-2 KJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. {2} Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

1. Two weeks ago, we talked about honoring our mothers.

2. Mothers pay great prices to be mothers.

B. We are told to honor kings and those who are in authority

(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. So, this week end, we honor and remember those who have made the sacrifices to serve in our nations armed forces

II. What did Jesus say about war?

A. He spoke of war as part of life.

(Mat 24:6 NKJV) "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

1. The word troubled could have been translated, “frightened,” or “alarmed.”

2. We are alarmed, and many seem willing to surrender to the enemy rather than fight for our freedom.

3. Jesus said, See that you are not troubled; . . . the end is not yet.

4. It’s “the end” that matters to Jesus.

B. Jesus gave us a proper perspective of this present life.

(Mat 10:28 NKJV) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

1. Jesus asked what we give in exchange for our soul.

(Mat 16:24-27 NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {25} "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. {26} "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? {27} "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

2. He showed the tremendous value of being right with God, by paying the supreme sacrifice for our souls.

(1 Pet 1:15-19 NKJV) but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, {16} because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." {17} And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

{18} knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

III. Paul spoke of the role of government.

(Rom 13:1-4 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 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.

Conclusion

"A man must live! We justify

Low shift and trick to treason high;

A little vote for a little gold;

Or a whole Senate bought and sold,

With this self-evident reply –

'A man must live!'

But is it so? Pray tell me why

Life at such cost you have to buy.

In what religion were you told?

A man must live!

There are times when a man must die!

There are times when a man will die!

Imagine for a baffle cry

From soldiers with a sword to hold,

From soldiers with a flag unfurled,

This coward's whine, this liar's lie,

'A man must live!'

The Saviour did not live!

He died!

But in His death was life -

Life for Himself and all mankind!

He found His life by losing it!

And we, being crucified

Afresh with Him, may find

Life in the cup of death,

And, drinking it,

Have life forevermore!"

I. Have you surrendered your life to Him?

II. Will you have life eternal because of what He has done for you?

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