Thank a Veteran!

On Veteran’s Day we salute over 25 million living veterans.  We also honor the memory of the million plus men and women who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the freedoms that we have today.  Veteran’s Day was originally set as a U.S. holiday to honor Armistice Day, the end of WWI, which was on Nov 11, 1918.

        In 1938, what we know as Veteran's Day, was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be known as Armistice Day.  In 1954, the Act of 1938 was amended and the word Armistice was removed and the word Veterans was inserted so that November 11 would be a day to honor veterans of all wars.   

        We need to understand that we not only fight in physical wars, but spiritual wars as well.  We fight in physical and spiritual wars for freedom.  Whether it be freedom from sin or freedom from a world tyrant.   Eph 6:12

        Personally, I like to honor those who have served and those who are serving in both types of wars.  That is what we will try to do here today.  War brings about three things. 

I.  War brings about DEATH.      

PHYSICAL WAR-  Soldiers fight for the American way, their country, and their friends while in the trenches, mud, water, beaches, deserts, wherever they are asked to go.  They go without contact of loved ones, without food, and often sleep.  They do all this while facing death daily.  Death is an absolute of war.    

THANK those veterans of the physical war. 

SPIRITUAL WAT-  Eph 6:12 says we are in a war.  It tells us whom we are at war with.  We must not take this war lightly.  The war started when Eve was tempted by the serpent and still wages today, whether we accept it or not.  Christianity is not a spectator sport.  IT IS WAR!  WHAT SIDE ARE YOU ON?    Mt 12:30   Mt 25:46   Mt 7:13,14  Look at your week.  Did you do anything to gather unto the Lord’s Church?  If not, according to Mt 12:30 what did you do?  SCATTERED!  Are you on the narrow road that leads to eternal life or the wide road that leads to eternal death?  It’s one or the other.  You can not be in the middle! 

THANK those veterans of the spiritual war.

        II.  War brings about LOVE.

PHYSICAL WAR-  In 2Sa 23:13-17 we can read about a time when David mentioned to some men that he was thirsty.  Three men risked their lives to bring him water.  Upon receiving this water, out of GRATITUDE, he dumps it out.  You only risk your life for someone you love.  Jn 15:13

David understood that concept.  We do a lot of things today without considering the price that was paid. 

THANK those veterans of the physical war.     

SPIRITUAL WAR- 1Pe 5:8    As we go through life in our spiritual war we soon realize, similar to David, what someone has done for us in this war.  This should be the deciding factor of the side we decide to be on.(Mt 12:30)  That is the fact that Jesus died for you and I.  Rom 5:8

Think about love.  He didn't die for us because we are such nice people. Rom 3:23

We deserve death, but Christ too took our place! Rom 6:23

Jesus laid down his life because he loves us.  Not some quality we possess.  BUT LOVE!

Mt 28:19,20 tells us it is our job to share that with others.  We think it’s our job to show up once a week, but we are wrong. 

THANK those veterans of the spiritual war.

          III.  War brings about HEROES.

PHYSICAL WAR- I suppose one of the biggest things a veteran could ever hope to receive would be a medal of honor.  Keep in mind, just because someone doesn’t get a medal of honor does not mean they are not a hero.  Just risking their lives makes them heroes in my book. 

  

SPIRITUAL WAR- We are going to make a play on the word “heroes” today.  I want you to understand that this spiritual war has a great ending and it ends with “HEROES” AS IN “HE ROSE” FROM THE GRAVE.    Lk 24:6

IN CONCLUSION,

·         We know war brings death(Rom 3:23), love(jn15:13), and HE ROSE (Lk 24:6)

·         War brings about death-  Only for those who scatter and are on that wide road that leads to eternal condemnation.  Our spiritual war required death as well.   (Rom 3:23)

·         War brings about love-  Jn 14:15 Jesus love is obedience.  God showed us his love first.  Rom 5:8

·         War brings about HE ROSE-  Jesus is not just our hero, he is our personal savior.  He defeated the enemy and has given us the victory.  1CO 15:54-57

Thank God for your victory.  Have you received that victory?  What do we need to do to receive that victory?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22