OceanSide church of Christ
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HONOR TO OUR SOLDIERS
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Tomorrow, May 26, 2008 is
Memorial Day.
1.
Some view this day as
nothing more than the first day of the summer season.
2.
In reality, it is a “Day of
Remembrance” for those who died in our nation’s service.
a.
It was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan. The General’s Order
stated:
“The 30th day of
May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or other-wise
decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during
the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and
hamlet church-yard in the land. In
this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will
in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as
circumstances permit.”
b.
May 30, 1868 was used as the first Memorial Day. Flowers were placed upon the graves of both
Union and Confederate soldiers in the
B.
Romans
13:7.
Render therefore
to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour.
C.
Thus, this morning we want
to briefly honor our fallen soldiers of the past.
I. THE
ELEMENTS FOR WHICH THEY ARE HONORED
A.
Patriotism.
1.
Definition: one’s love for and devotion to
country.
2.
A
soldier loves our constitution, our government, our freedom, and all the people
who make up our nation.
3.
He is devoted to the
preservation of the
B.
Preparation.
1.
To be good soldier, one must
prepare himself both mentally and physically.
2.
They spent hours upon hours
preparing themselves for the day of battle.
C.
Bravery.
1.
Definition: the ability to endure with
courage.
2.
In the face of the enemy and
in the face of horrifying conditions, the soldier keeps on keeping
on.
D.
Endurance.
1.
Definition: the ability to remain firm under
suffering or misfortune without yielding.
2.
Soldiers continue to fight
battle after battle. In hunger and
thirst, they fight. In heat and
cold, they fight. They do not give
up until the victory is won.
E.
Sacrifice.
1.
Definition: to suffer loss or
injury.
2.
Many soldiers have
sacrificed much: time, family,
personal success, health, limbs, and even life. They had done this to preserve the
welfare of our nation.
F.
For these reasons, we honor
every soldier who has fought for this nation. In the words of General John Logan: “If other eyes grow dull, other hands
slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as
long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.”
II. A SPIRITUAL
APPLICATION
A.
The New Testament teaches
that the Christian is engaged in a spiritual warfare (I Tim. 6:12). In this fight, we are soldiers in the
Lord’s army (II Tim. 2:3).
Thou therefore
endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
B.
Every quality that we listed
that brings honor to our military personnel is a quality that we as soldiers in
the Lord’s army are to possess.
1.
We must have patriotism for
the Lord, the truth, and the Lord’s body, the church.
a.
Remember: Patriotism is love
and devotion for.
b.
II Timothy 1:8.
Be not thou
therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions
of the gospel according to the power of God.
2.
The soldier of Christ must
also prepare himself for the day of battle.
a.
We must put on the armor of God and know how to wield the sword of the
Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:10-17).
b.
II Timothy 2:15.
Study to shew
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
3.
We must be
brave.
a.
The enemy will do all he can to fill our hearts with
fear.
b.
The apostle Paul insisted that prayers be offered up on his behalf that
he might be bold in his proclamation of the gospel (Eph.
6:19-20).
And for me, that
utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known
the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak.
4.
We must have the ability to
endure.
a.
Wars and hardships of warfare may last for several years. To be victorious, the soldier must
endure.
b.
The Christian will also face trials and tribulations. However, his fight will last for the
rest of his life. He, too, must
endure to the very end in order to be saved.
c.
Mark 13:13.
And ye shall be
hated of all men for my name’s sake:
but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.
5.
We, too, must be willing to
sacrifice for the cause of Christ.
a.
Philippians 3:7-8.
But what things
were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
b.
This loss, just like that suffered by the soldier, could involve our very
lives (Rev. 2:10).
CONCLUSION
A.
Tomorrow is “Memorial
Day.” Our fallen troops will be
honored by many for their service to our great nation.
B.
There’s coming a day when
the heavenly Commander will honor His forces. The faithful, the loyal, the dedicated,
the committed, the brave will hear His words: “Well done thou good and faithful
servant.” He will then turn to the
Father in heaven and confess each one of them before His throne (Matt.
10:32).
C. If you desire His commendation, you must enlist in His army and serve him faithfully until death.