Remember
A Memorial Day sermon
Chuck Sligh
May 29, 2016
TEXT: Deuteronomy 32:7 – “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”
INTRODUCTION
It seems the older I get, the more problems I have with remembering things.
Illus. – Yesterday I went to the PX and the commissary. I had parked behind one of the shopping cart sheds, but didn’t take note of that fact. I got some things at the PX and then shopped at the commissary, and when got outside, I couldn’t remember for the life of me where I had parked!
I went from one end of the parking lot to the other…and no car. So I move further up about a quarter of the way up, but still on the opposite side of the shopping cart shed, and again went from one end of the parking lot to the other.
Still I couldn’t find my car. I thought, Did the cops come and haul my car off?
So I decided to go to the OPPOSITE end of the parking lot and go from one end to the other again, but that far out, I was too far from my car to see it, even though I was now on the same side of the shopping cart shed.
By this time I had wasted at least ten minutes, and I was getting frustrated when suddenly my eyes locked on one of the shopping cart sheds. It was only THEN that I remembered that I had parked behind one of them. So I finally found my car!
I suppose we’ve all done that before, but some people have REALLY bad memories.
Illus. – There’s a story about a city fellow who was visiting a farmer friend. While there, the farmer said, “Watch this.”
The farmer gave a whistle and the city man watched in amazement as the farmer’s dog herded the cattle into the corral and then latched the gate with her paw.
“Wow, that’s some dog.” said the city slicker. “What’s her name?”
The forgetful farmer thought a minute, then asked, “What do you call that red flower that smells good and has thorns on the stem?”
“A rose?” answered the city slicker.
“Yeah, that’s it!”
Then the farmer turned to his wife and said, “Hey Rose, what do we call this dog?”
That is pretty bad, isn’t it? What’s your worst case of forgetfulness?
Illus. – Mine was when I was raising support to go to the mission field, and when Susan wasn’t able to go on that trip, I brought my oldest son along for some daddy-son time. While talking to people after the service, Chris fell asleep on a pew on the front row. And I forgot all about him!
We went to the restaurant and the preacher said, “Where’s your son?” Suddenly, I realized what I had done and I freaked out!
The pastor said he would send someone with a key to get him. Fortunately, he was still sound asleep and never knew his dad was trying to lose him.
That’s pretty sad isn’t it? These are all things we can relate to, and really, for the most part our forgetfulness is not really such a big deal. They’re just part of being human.
But there are times when forgetfulness is just plain wrong. Today—on Memorial Day Sunday—is one of those times.
Down through the years of our country, there have been brave people who have gone to serve their country in the Armed Forces. Many have been wounded and scarred—sometimes horribly, and permanently. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice. They gave their LIVES in the service of their country. They sacrificed THEMSELVES so that we could continue to live in freedom.
So brethren, we dare not forget those brave people!
Illus. – I was thinking about this yesterday in preparation for this sermon. Tomorrow some of you will have a cook-out or do something fun with some friends. You’ll have fun, and you’ll do so without fear. You’ll have the right to exercise all of your freedoms.
If you get into a discussion about POLITICS tomorrow, you’ll have the liberty to say whatever is on your mind. Trump, Hillary, Sanders, your congressperson, your governor—you have complete freedom to criticize them however you want.
And think about this: If you bow your heads and thank God for your food before you eat, you’ll not have to fear punishment for exercising your religion as you see fit. You’ll be able to exercise those freedoms because of the sacrifices made by our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
On this Memorial Sunday, we must not be forgetful of those who have sacrificed for us. This Memorial Day, I hope there are some things you will consciously remember:
I. FOR INSTANCE, I THINK WE SHOULD REMEMBER THOSE WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN WAR.
My grandfather and his brother fought in WORLD WAR I on the front lines in France. My UNCLE MACK fought in WORLD WAR II and my UNCLE BUBBY fought valiantly in THE KOREAN WAR. (Yes, he really was called “Bubby” and yes, he was from Texas.)
Susan’s dad fought in WORLD WAR II also, and was a prisoner of war in Burma for three years, returning to the States emaciated. Susan has an uncle who served in THE KOREAN WAR.
My DAD served in VIETNAM, where he earned a Bronze Star. I have A COUSIN, A SON and A NEPHEW who served in IRAQ, and the nephew was severely injured in a Stryker explosion by an IED.
Each of these were normal men who, when their country called, answered the call. Like every other service-member, they had high hopes that because of their service, they could help maintain a peace that would keep them from having to be put into harm’s way. But when called to their respective wars to serve their country, I’m proud to know they didn’t tuck tail and immigrate to Canada.
I’m proud that they didn’t desert their post. They were PROUD to serve their country, and did not hesitate to go into battle when called upon to do so.
Those of you in the Army here this morning may have joined the military for a variety of reasons, some maybe not so patriotic. However, you knew that someday your country might ask you to go and serve your country in a war zone, and fight in battle where you very well could have become a casualty of war. You faithfully fulfilled your duty. You went and you served and risked life and limb.
I want to say to each of you today—I’m proud to serve as your pastor and I salute you. I want you to know how much I respect you.
SOLDIERS…Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifices.
SPOUSES of soldiers…Thank you for the sacrifices YOU have made.
CHILDREN of soldiers…Thank you for your sacrifices for your country.
On this Memorial Day Sunday, let’s be careful not forget all those who have risked and are now risking their lives for us—and that includes many of you here today.
Of course, these comments should mostly be reserved for Veteran’s Day or Armed Forces Day.
II. WE MUST, MOST IMPORTANTLY, ON MEMORIAL DAY, NOT FORGET THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
Recently I started listening to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore history. He is one of the most interesting historical narrators I’ve ever heard. But his biggest interest is the history of warfare from ancient times to the present. I like him because, as he himself says, he is not a historian per se, but a fan of history. So he doesn’t drone on about this battle and that battle, but dwells on many issues related to war, it’s effect on warriors, it’s role in changing history, the human toll and the human effect of war.
Though I read history often, through Dan Carlin I’ve become reacquainted with battlegrounds where soldiers died by the millions in places like Verdun and Somme, the Dardanelles, Marne and the Argonne Forrest in WORLD WAR I. They gave their lives at the port of Dunkirk, in the deserts of Al Alamein, on the beaches of Normandy, in the mountains of the Bulge, and in the Forest of Ardennes in WORLD WAR II. They died in the American Revolution and the Civil war. In more modern times, our warriors have given their lives in KOREA and VIETNAM and IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN.
Let us not forget that every single soldier, sailor, airman or marine who died in the service of their country represented a bundle of hopes and dreams that were snuffed out the day they died in the service of their country. And behind every one of them is a grieving spouse or parents or girlfriend or boyfriend. Behind many of of those spouses are sons or daughters who will not have daddy there to watch their ball games, or attend their ballet performances, or be there for their graduations or their weddings. All because a soldier said yes to his country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Illus. – When I was a kid living in Tennessee, my family went to visit the Thompsons, whose son, Johnny had been killed in the Vietnam War a couple years before. Johnny had been a straight-A student in school, got an appointment at West Point and graduated with honors, was shipped off to Vietnam, and nine months into his tour, he was killed leading a platoon in a reconnaissance raid.
We visited for about a half hour, and after a while, she invited us to go down the hall where there were probably a 50 framed photos of Johnny.
She said, “I put these here so I would remember Johnny.”
Then she proceeded to tell us about each photo:
“This was when he went fishing with his dad.”
“Here’s his high school graduation picture.”
“Here’s when he graduated from West Point.”
We listened in hushed reverence as she told us about each and every photo, often with misty eyes.
Mrs. Thompson was determined to REMEMBER.
This Memorial Day we must not forget those who showed that ultimate act of love, for Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) But as we remember those who have fallen in battle, do not forget the widows, the children and the parents of those who gave their lives, for they also paid a high price.
III. FOLKS, WE MUST REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE, BUT THIS MEMORIAL DAY, LET US ALSO REMEMBER THE ONE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ALL.
Those who died for the sake of others may have been willing to be put in harm’s way, but none of them would have chosen to die if they could help it. Their hope was that they would survive to come home to their families and friends. They struggled with all the difficulties, did their duty, looking forward to the day they would see home again.
Jesus, on the other hand, came to this earth knowing that He would go to the cross of Calvary and die there for our sins. Isn’t that amazing?
John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Hopefully those who died for their country knew that we would be grateful, but think about this—Jesus died knowing that the majority of people would be indifferent to His sacrifice.
In John 1:11 we read “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
Our fallen soldiers who gave their lives for others did so for family and friends, while Jesus gave His life for ALL—including His ENEMIES.
Turn with me to Romans 5:6-8 – “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure [perhaps] for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth [showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (EXPAND AS LED)
Jesus’ death was the only one of its kind—for only Jesus could die for the whole world.
In John 10:15 Jesus said, “…I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Titus 2:14 says “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity…”
Illus. – During World War II a minister, going along a street in London, saw a wounded British soldier painfully hobbling along.
Stopping him, the minister astonished the soldier by saying, “Thank you for being wounded for me.”
The man looked at the preacher in surprise. People had sent him cigarettes, and had given him entertainment, but no one before had ever thanked him for what he had suffered on others’ behalf.
Then the minister continued, “I know Someone who was wounded FOR YOU.”
“Wounded for me, sir?” responded the soldier, now more surprised than before. “Who could that be?”
“It was our Lord Jesus,” replied the minister. “Isaiah 53:5 says, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions.’”
With that the man of God was on his way, leaving the soldier to think about the One who was wounded for him.
Yes, Jesus was wounded for us, but the Bible goes further and says that along with His wounding, he also GAVE HIS LIFE for us. He paid THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
Jesus said, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
CONCLUSION
I’m glad that we have this day of the year to honor those who made, and still make, enormous sacrifices for our country and every American. But more important, we have EVERY DAY to honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who died that we might live.
President Franklin Roosevelt made famous the Four Freedoms: freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship.
But there is another freedom besides these four that is far more important than all the rest. That is freedom from sin and judgment. No government and no leader can give you that freedom. No religion or denomination can give it to you. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can give you that—and it is all because of His love for you and His sacrifice on Calvary.
Have you been forgiven and set free? Do you know Jesus and the free pardon from ALL sin?
Optional Illus. – It’s told that in the First World War there was a young French soldier who was seriously wounded. His arm was so badly smashed that it had to be amputated. He was a magnificent specimen of young manhood, and the surgeon was grieved that this young man must go through life maimed.
So he waited beside his bedside to tell him the bad news when he recovered consciousness. When the young man’s eyes opened, the surgeon said to him: “I’m sorry to tell you that you have lost your arm.”
“Sir,” said the lad, “I did not lose it; I GAVE it—for France.”
And you know what?—Jesus did not lose his life; He GAVE it. The cross was not thrust upon him; He willingly accepted it. He accepted it for you and for me.
What a tragedy to fail to received the gift He offers, paid for at great cost to Him.
Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ today.
The writer of Hebrews says– “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…” (Hebrews 2:3) [CLOSE AS LED]
