Sermon Central
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Unknown People Of Significance
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 2, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Unknown people of significance are the real heroes of today and they deserve to be honored and remembered for their sacrifice. Their sacrifice of their lives, their precious time, their loyal hearts, have bestowed on us our personal freedoms today.
“The unknown names of significance”
“A band of brothers”
Thesis: Unknown people of significance are the real heroes of today and they deserve to be honored and remembered for their sacrifice. Their sacrifice of their lives, their precious time, their loyal hearts, have bestowed on us our personal freedoms today.
Introduction:
Without realizing it many of us have fallen prey to thinking that people of most significance are people like star athletes, actors, actresses, musicians, and even politicians. These are the ones we applaud and become excited to meet in person. These are the ones who we ask for their autographs and then show it off as a valuable treasured signature to others.
But really these are not the hero’s. Heroes and heroines are the note worthy individuals who turned “nobodies into some bodies.” They are the people behind the scenes who have given their loyalty and their lives for noble causes. They have sacrificed so that others may have the freedom to live free. They have stayed in the shadows and never been mentioned by name. They have drifted into obscurity because their status goes unnoticed and in some cases even gets undervalued and unappreciated.
These bands of brothers may be forgotten by others and most of the country but not by their fellow warriors and fellow brothers. Their names will be etched in their memories for ever and they will never forget the sacrifice of the unknown names of countless soldiers who have given their lives for the gift of freedom for this country.
They are the veterans of our country – the ones who first fought for our independence in New England against the British and ran into battle with the motto, “No King but King Jesus.” (See “The Spirit of the Amercian Revolution” David Barton; “The New Heavens and the New Earth” Cushing Stout; Sibley’s Harvard Graduates, Clifford Shipton.)
They are the soldiers who have fought for our country throughout the many wars which sought to destroy this country and rob her of her freedom. These soldiers of honor are even the ones today fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are the unsung heroes who are the nobodies of history – because most do not know their names - but they are the some bodies who have given us our freedom here in America today. The Veterans who are here today each know of men and women who gave their lives and served our country faithfully. These men all have a band of brothers who they know by name and it’s important for us today to hear their names today.
Scripture Texts:
There are a few passages in the Bible which highlight the “Unknown names of significance.” You find these references in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11.
King David the King of Israel is on the verge of passing away. Israel’s historians have gathered around their hero King David. They are looking for a detailed history of his many triumphs, his war stories, his brilliant commands, his wise statesmanship, his expansion of Israel, and His prosperous kingdom. But no, David does not brag about himself or the other famous people in his cabinet. He recalls the names of the people he considered to be the true heroes of Israel’s rise to power and prominence in the world. These are the names of the nobodies who had a significant lasting impact on the nation of Israel. They according to my Bible where sent and equipped by God to assist, to protect, and to enable David to become king of Israel.
Can I say that everyone is known by God and He knows all the men and women who have sacrificed for others – trust me this is why in the Bible we have this list of names to remind us that our freedom is not free it cost others their lives, their time, their wounds and their hearts so that we today can enjoy a nation with liberty and freedom for all.
Please note the Pew Bible’s in front of you and you can note these significant warriors name on pages: 2 Samuel 23 pg. 233 and then later flip to pages 293-294 to see the names in print again in 1 Chronicles 11. These two Scriptures passages cover the same time frame and give us greater insight when looked at together.
1These are the last words of David:
“The oracle of David son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
Israel’s singer of songs:
2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over men in righteousness,
