Sermon for 11/11/2007- Veteran’s Day
Psalm 144:1
Introduction:
Play video called Iraq: A Soldier’s Story of Faith from Bluefish.com
WBTU:
A. Our Scripture this morning comes from Psalm 144:1. Read it.
B. What does this have to do with us? (2 Tim 2:3 NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
B. We are all soldiers in a war. (Rev 12:7 NIV) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
C. Song by Petra- This means war--and the battle’s still raging
War--and though both sides are waging; The Victor is sure and the victory secure
But till judgment we all must endure; This Means War!
D. (2 Cor 10:3 NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.(2 Cor 10:4 NIV) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
E. This captain and private talked about things before a battle. Things not to be forgotten
Thesis: Things not to be forgotten by the Christian soldier
For instances:
I. The true source of his strength. Psalm 144:1 Amplified Version- BLESSED BE the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength. King James- Blessed be the Lord my strength. (Psa 29:11 NIV) The LORD gives strength to his people. If remembered:
1. He will not be found trusting in self. (John 5:30 NIV) By myself I can do nothing. Quote from preacher in Hoosiers: With God of heaven, it is all one: To deliver with a great multitude, or a small company. For the victory at battle standeth not in the multitude of hosts, but strength cometh from heaven.
2. He will never be lacking in courage. (Acts 4:13 NIV) When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Only the best physically, mentally, and morally are called to war. The tragedy of war is that only the best are fit to be killed, only the brave are selected.
3. He will always anticipate victory. (1 Cor 15:57 NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. An excited Army recruit asked his company commander for a furlough. His wife was going to have a baby. Permission was granted, and when the furlough papers were drawn up and the soldier was leaving, the officer asked exactly when the baby was due. “About nine months after I get home, sir” replied the recruit. Now that anticipating victory, that’s being positive.
4. He will never be defeated in the conflict.
A. (2 Cor 4:8 NIV) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;(2 Cor 4:9 NIV) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
B. (Rom 8:37 NIV) we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
C. More than 25 million American veterans are living today. Many of these courageous men and women, like those who went before them, have faced death and suffered unimaginable hardships while fighting to protect our freedoms and safeguard our inalienable rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
II. His need of instruction, and the teacher who never forgets him. Psalm 144:1 who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. If remembered:
1. He will put on the armor provided by God. (Eph 6:13 NIV) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Leila Morris- The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!
Jehovah leads, and victory will assure; Go buckle on the armor God has given you,
And in His strength unto the end endure.
2. Select for his weapon the sword of the Spirit. (Eph 6:17 NIV) Take the…sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The only offensive weapon of the Christian is the Word of God. In modern warfare there are many offensive weapons but the only offensive weapon of the Christian is the Word of God.
3. He will study the divinely given text book of military tactics and discipline. (2 Tim 2:15) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. The veteran must be mentally alert. He must be able to read and write. We need to know the Word of God because without it we are not effective soldiers. That he may learn:
A. The tactics of the enemy. (2 Cor 2:11 NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
B. Methods of attack and defense.
1) Attack- (Mat 16:18 KJV) thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Fanny Crosby- Onward! upward! doing, daring, All for Him Who died for thee;
Face the foe and meet with boldness Danger whatsoe’er it be.
From the battlements of glory, Holy ones are looking down,
Thou canst almost hear them shouting: “On! let no one take thy crown.”
2) Defense- NKJV- 1 Peter 3:15- Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. Oath of Enlistment- I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies; foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
C. How to handle ourselves in the think of the fight. (1 Pet 3:15) But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Pet 3:16) keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. In some places they don’t want our soldiers. Why? Because of their bad conduct.
4. He will wait upon God for orders and the understanding. (Psa 5:3 NIV) In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. A soldier does nothing without orders.
III. All praise and glory goes to God. If remembered:
1. He will wear his honors, medals, humbly.
A. (Gal 6:14 NIV) May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
B. (Rev 4:10) the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:(Rev 4:11) "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
C. Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr.
O bright the conqueror’s crown, The song of triumph sweet,
When faith casts every trophy down At our great Captain’s feet.
C. Letter by 1st Lieutenant John Cochrane in 1966- Every one of these kids knows what he wants. There is not a “hero” in the group over here looking for glory or medals or any of that other garbage- they are here because they felt they were needed, that’s all! 9 days after this was written John Cochrane died in combat.
D. (Phil 3:7 NIV) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Phil 3:8 NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
E. Robert E Lee- Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never do less.
2. Bow down before the King. (Psa 95:6 NIV) Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;(Psa 95:7 NIV) for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. President Calvin Coolidge- America seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force. No ambition, no temptation lures her to thought of foreign dominions. The legions she sends forth are armed, not with sword, but with the cross. The higher state to which she seeks the allegiance of all mankind is not of human, but of divine origin. She cherishes no other purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God.
3. Be grateful for serving in the army of the King and tasting in His victory.
Isaac Watts- When that illustrious day shall rise, And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies, The glory shall be Thine.
Invitation:
Charles Morris from White Plains served during the Korean War. Morris ran a supply truck to the battlefront. Occasionally he hauled fresh soldiers to the front lines. “That was sad,” he said, “hauling young people fresh in from the United States. Sometimes they started crying when they heard the guns. But you gotta let them out. They don’t all get killed, but you’re gonna have some who do. Freedom ain’t cheap.”
(Gal 5:1 NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
