Remember!
May 29, 2016
- Estimates of those who’ve died in service for our country vary widely
> Maybe as many as 1 ½ million have lost their lives over the years
> About 87% off all who have given their lives did so in the Civil War,
WWI, or WWII
> The Civil War, alone, accounted for 1/3 – 1/2 of all who have died
- Freedom is costly – and that cost is SACRIFICE
- Do we take time to remember this truth?
- Tomorrow is Memorial Day, but it is easy to forget what it means and
treat it as merely a “holiday” to celebrate
- As we remember those who sacrificed for our national freedom, let us
also remember Christ who sacrificed for our spiritual freedom
1. Remember the Cost
Read I Cor. 11:23-25
- This passage reminds us of the cost for our spiritual freedom
> Jesus sacrificed everything that we might live free as Christians
> Observing the Lord’s Table is a way to remember this sacrifice
> Christ’s body was “broken” for our spiritual freedom
> Christ’s blood was shed for our spiritual freedom
- This passage can also remind us of the cost of our national freedom
> Many sacrificed everything that we might live free as Americans
> Observing Memorial Day is a way to remember this sacrifice
> Many bodies have been “broken” for our national freedom
> Much blood has been shed for our national freedom
2. Remember the Command
Reread I Cor. 11:24b & 25b
- Jesus commanded His followers to remember His sacrifice
> His sacrifice still has the same value whether we remember it or not
> Just as it still has the same value if people refuse to recognize it
> To forget it does not diminish its value, but it does diminish its value in our own mines
> We run the risk of becoming ungrateful, assuming, complacent, and vulnerable (Give examples)
> Remembering His sacrifice is actually to OUR benefit
- We are NOT commanded to remember the sacrifice of those who have given their lives for our national freedom, but why wouldn’t we?
> Their sacrifice still has the same value whether we remember it or not
> To forget it does not diminish its value, but it does diminish its value in our own minds
> We run the risk of becoming ungrateful, assuming, complacent, and vulnerable (Give examples)
> Remembering their sacrifice is actually to OUR benefit
3. Remember the Communication
Read I Cor. 11:26
- When we remember Christ’s sacrifice, we communicate the value of His death
> It is not just communication; it is “proclamation” (announce, declare)
> This is a proclamation of the availability of spiritual freedom for all
- When we remember the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers, we communicate the value of their death
> It is not just communication; it is “proclamation” (announce, declare)
> This is a proclamation of the availability of individual freedom for all
4. Remember the Condition
Read I Cor. 11:27-32
- When partaking of the Lord’s Supper we must recognize His sacrifice
> If we don’t, we are partaking in an “unworthy manner”
> If we don’t, we are guilty of sinning against Christ’s body and blood
> To partake correctly requires self-examination
> Not to do so will result in judgment
>> Notice the clear examples of the judgment we can expect
>> Have you ever been a recipient of this judgment?
- When celebrating Memorial Day we should recognize the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers
> If we don’t, we are celebrating in an “unworthy manner”
> If we don’t, we are guilty of wronging their memory
>> Remember how the fallen and the returning Vietnam warriors were treated by so many in our country
> To celebrate appropriately requires self-examination
> Not to do so might result in judgment
>> It may result in negative consequences for us individually
>> It may result in negative consequences for our nation
