[The following is the manuscript of my sermon delivered on the 24th of May, 2015. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel, http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
A little while ago the choir sang “Onward Christian Soldiers”, but have you ever considered just what it means to be a Christian soldier? We’re not really going off to war, not literally. So what is required of us?
As in all things, our Bible can help clear this up a bit. Listen and follow along as I read from the Apostle Paul’s letter to his dear friends in the church in Philippi, from chapter 1 verse 27 through chapter 2 verse 11, reading from the New Living Translation of our Bible…
As in all things, our Bible can help clear this up a bit. Listen and follow along as I read from the Apostle Paul’s letter to his dear friends in the church in Philippi, from chapter 1 verse 27 through chapter 2 verse 11, reading from the New Living Translation of our Bible…
1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God Himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
2:1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, 8 He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
--Philippians 1:27-2:11 (NLT)
Let us pray… Father God, may Your words as preserved by the Apostle Paul resonate within each and every heart this morning. As we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, may we never forget the One who gave His all for us – Jesus Christ our Lord. Speak to us now, Father, and give us Your message this day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
A man was working in his backyard one day, when his neighbor began talking to him over the fence. He said, "Yeah, my wife and I went to one of those seminars yesterday, you know, where they teach you ways to improve your memory and such."
His neighbor commented, "Really? What was the name of the speaker?"
The man answered, "Um, ah, what's the name of that flower that smells so good and has thorns?"
"You mean a rose?"
"Yeah, that's it." He turned and called over his shoulder, "Hey Rose, what was the name of that speaker we heard yesterday?"
We humans often have a hard time remembering things. My memory is getting so bad that soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs. The Lord knows how short our memories are, so throughout the Bible He reminds us of important stuff over and over again - kind of like how a wife reminds her husband of things, over and over and over…
Memorial Day is the US national holiday that has become the traditional start of summer, and especially of summer vacation time. But much more than that, Memorial Day is for remembering and paying tribute to those people who died while serving in our country’s armed forces, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
It had its beginnings shortly after the War Between the States, when General John A. Logan, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed that “Decoration Day” would be observed throughout the nation on May 30th. It was a day set aside to place flowers on the graves of war dead, and May 30th was chosen simply because of the usual abundance of flowers in bloom on that date. There is strong evidence to indicate that General Logan actually copied the annual Confederate Memorial Day custom begun in the South a few years earlier. Memorial Day, as it soon came to be known, was eventually moved to the last Monday in May as the federal government moved all federal holidays to Mondays.
But did you know that the first Memorial Day actually occurred many thousands of years before America was born, and is recorded in our Holy Bible? Let me read to you from the book of Exodus, chapter 12 verse 14, as the Lord commands Moses…
A man was working in his backyard one day, when his neighbor began talking to him over the fence. He said, "Yeah, my wife and I went to one of those seminars yesterday, you know, where they teach you ways to improve your memory and such."
His neighbor commented, "Really? What was the name of the speaker?"
The man answered, "Um, ah, what's the name of that flower that smells so good and has thorns?"
"You mean a rose?"
"Yeah, that's it." He turned and called over his shoulder, "Hey Rose, what was the name of that speaker we heard yesterday?"
We humans often have a hard time remembering things. My memory is getting so bad that soon I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs. The Lord knows how short our memories are, so throughout the Bible He reminds us of important stuff over and over again - kind of like how a wife reminds her husband of things, over and over and over…
Memorial Day is the US national holiday that has become the traditional start of summer, and especially of summer vacation time. But much more than that, Memorial Day is for remembering and paying tribute to those people who died while serving in our country’s armed forces, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
It had its beginnings shortly after the War Between the States, when General John A. Logan, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed that “Decoration Day” would be observed throughout the nation on May 30th. It was a day set aside to place flowers on the graves of war dead, and May 30th was chosen simply because of the usual abundance of flowers in bloom on that date. There is strong evidence to indicate that General Logan actually copied the annual Confederate Memorial Day custom begun in the South a few years earlier. Memorial Day, as it soon came to be known, was eventually moved to the last Monday in May as the federal government moved all federal holidays to Mondays.
But did you know that the first Memorial Day actually occurred many thousands of years before America was born, and is recorded in our Holy Bible? Let me read to you from the book of Exodus, chapter 12 verse 14, as the Lord commands Moses…
14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.
--Exodus 12:14 (HCSB)
That first “day to be a memorial” was in memory of the Passover and the deliverance of the children of Israel. OK, so General Logan probably didn’t mean for our Memorial Day to be a celebration, although it seems many in our society treat it as one - a celebration of the beginning of summer. But stay with me for a bit more Biblical evidence of how important a memorial is to God.
From Joshua chapter 4, verses 4 through 7…
From Joshua chapter 4, verses 4 through 7…
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
--Joshua 4:4-7 (NLT)
A memorial serves the purpose of prodding our memory, lest we forget something important. When children ask what does Memorial Day mean, do you tell them it’s the start of summer vacations, or that it pays homage to all those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom? That’s what Memorial Day is for: to remind us of the sacrifice of others.
Jesus certainly understood this sacrifice, and He reminds us of it every time we take Holy Communion. In 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 23 through 25, the Apostle Paul relates what Jesus did and said at His last meal with His followers…
Jesus certainly understood this sacrifice, and He reminds us of it every time we take Holy Communion. In 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 23 through 25, the Apostle Paul relates what Jesus did and said at His last meal with His followers…
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
--1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NKJV)
Remember Me, Jesus says, and the sacrifice I made for you, for each and every one of you. Why did He die for us? Why did all those men and women give their lives for freedom and their country?
According to Jesus, it was for love, as He tells us in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 13…
Now I don’t think Jesus really wants us to lay down our life for someone else, just that we be willing to do so. I think Jesus wants us to live, and to live for Him, to give our lives fully to Him. And I think that because Paul says it, in his letter to the church in Rome, chapter 12 verse 1…
In the very next verse, Paul warns us not to let ourselves be shaped by the world, by worldly values, but to keep our sights on Jesus. The same advice applies to the Christian soldier. Listen to what Paul writes to his protégé Timothy, in his second letter to his young friend, chapter 2 verses 3 and 4…
It’s almost a guarantee that if you are a true follower of Jesus, if you sincerely try to heed His voice and accept Him as your Lord and Master, Satan will make sure you will face hard times, and that may be putting it mildly. Paul encourages us to endure those trials and tribulations.
Be a good trooper and stand our ground no matter what Satan throws at us. But don’t take on the ways of the world to do it! Don’t lower ourselves to the level of those who would try to tear us down instead of lifting us up. Don’t get all tangled up with worldly affairs. And in that way we will please Jesus, our “enlisting officer”.
One of the hardships Paul himself had to endure was a long stint under house arrest in Rome. He was under constant guard by armed Roman soldiers, which gave him ample opportunity to observe military personnel and armaments. Much of this crept into his letters, and especially in those he wrote from Rome, such as the one he sent to the church in Ephesus. In closing the letter, Paul provides excellent advice for us all, even if it is a bit scary. Listen to Paul’s instructions to the Christian soldier as found in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 through 12…
Christian soldiers, be strong in the Lord, because He is mighty, He is powerful. We do not have to stand on our own strength, we can stand on God’s! We can put on His armor which is truth and includes the breastplate of righteousness, the Gospel of peace on our feet to protect us from the obstacles and traps Satan lays, the shield of faith in our Lord Jesus, and the helmet of His salvation. All of this armor is for our defense. The only offensive armament we are given is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God as contained in our Holy Bible.
Notice that all of these armaments are spiritual, not physical. That’s because we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies that physical weapons could harm. Our enemy is spiritual, those evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. Our fight is against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Our battle is with Satan and his minions and demons. Physical weapons are worthless in this fight. We can only stand with God’s strength and His protection, as offered by His full armor.
So, Christian troops. are you ready to soldier on? Just briefly looking back at Paul’s description from our message text, chapter 1 verse 27 says we must stand together. Verse 28 instructs that we not let our enemy intimidate us, even if our enemy is the very devil himself! And verse 29 again offers that promise of having to endure struggles ahead.
Into chapter 2, verse 2 repeats the call to work together with one mind and one purpose. Verses 3 and 4 caution us not to be selfish or try to impress others, but to be humble and take a genuine interest in them. And verse 5 sums it all up: have the same attitude as Jesus had while He walked this earth. None of that is especially tough to accomplish, but the rewards will be great.
In closing, it is right and proper that we take time tomorrow to remember all the men and women who died while serving our country, while serving us. I would ask that you also pause to remember and honor the millions of Christians who were martyred because of their faith and belief in Jesus. And let’s never forget Jesus and His sacrifice on our behalf.
For in remembering all these sacrifices and the love behind them and paying honor to them, we also honor our God. By our faith, by our love, by our acknowledgment of Jesus as our Lord and Master, we will share in God’s glory as members of Christ’s army.
Be blessed. Soldier on. Amen.
Let us pray… Heavenly Father, throughout our Bible Your word encourages us to remember those who gave their all for us. The grandest example is the great sacrifice Your own Son made on our behalf. Lord God, You encourage us to press forward, to keep fighting the good fight, to be good soldiers for Christ. Father we pray that we will never be called on to give our lives for Christ, but if that time should come, please give us the strength to carry out Your will.
Father, the Apostle Paul also encourages that we make of ourselves a living sacrifice, to You and to Jesus. While we live, Lord, please help us always give of ourselves to Jesus, letting Him use our hands, our tongues, our resources, to carry out His great work upon this land. So many have given their lives because of their belief in Your Son since Jesus gave His. May their sacrifices have not been in vain. May we live on in their memory and continue their work and witnessing with the same strong belief and faith, ever seeking to serve Jesus.
Father God, please listen as we speak to You silently now from our hearts…
Father God, thank You for all the many blessing You shower upon us. Thank You for all the millions of believers who gave of their lives for Jesus. Thank You for the great sacrifice Jesus made just for us. While we breathe, may we dedicate our very lives to Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray in the glorious name of Jesus and on behalf of all who gave their lives for Him. Amen.
According to Jesus, it was for love, as He tells us in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 13…
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
--John 15:13 (NKJV)
12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
--Romans 12:1 (NLT)
3 Endure hard times as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No soldier on active duty entangles himself with civilian affairs, that he may please the enlisting officer.
--2 Timothy 2:3-4 (MEV)
Be a good trooper and stand our ground no matter what Satan throws at us. But don’t take on the ways of the world to do it! Don’t lower ourselves to the level of those who would try to tear us down instead of lifting us up. Don’t get all tangled up with worldly affairs. And in that way we will please Jesus, our “enlisting officer”.
One of the hardships Paul himself had to endure was a long stint under house arrest in Rome. He was under constant guard by armed Roman soldiers, which gave him ample opportunity to observe military personnel and armaments. Much of this crept into his letters, and especially in those he wrote from Rome, such as the one he sent to the church in Ephesus. In closing the letter, Paul provides excellent advice for us all, even if it is a bit scary. Listen to Paul’s instructions to the Christian soldier as found in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 through 12…
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
--Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT)
Notice that all of these armaments are spiritual, not physical. That’s because we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies that physical weapons could harm. Our enemy is spiritual, those evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. Our fight is against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Our battle is with Satan and his minions and demons. Physical weapons are worthless in this fight. We can only stand with God’s strength and His protection, as offered by His full armor.
So, Christian troops. are you ready to soldier on? Just briefly looking back at Paul’s description from our message text, chapter 1 verse 27 says we must stand together. Verse 28 instructs that we not let our enemy intimidate us, even if our enemy is the very devil himself! And verse 29 again offers that promise of having to endure struggles ahead.
Into chapter 2, verse 2 repeats the call to work together with one mind and one purpose. Verses 3 and 4 caution us not to be selfish or try to impress others, but to be humble and take a genuine interest in them. And verse 5 sums it all up: have the same attitude as Jesus had while He walked this earth. None of that is especially tough to accomplish, but the rewards will be great.
In closing, it is right and proper that we take time tomorrow to remember all the men and women who died while serving our country, while serving us. I would ask that you also pause to remember and honor the millions of Christians who were martyred because of their faith and belief in Jesus. And let’s never forget Jesus and His sacrifice on our behalf.
For in remembering all these sacrifices and the love behind them and paying honor to them, we also honor our God. By our faith, by our love, by our acknowledgment of Jesus as our Lord and Master, we will share in God’s glory as members of Christ’s army.
Be blessed. Soldier on. Amen.
Let us pray… Heavenly Father, throughout our Bible Your word encourages us to remember those who gave their all for us. The grandest example is the great sacrifice Your own Son made on our behalf. Lord God, You encourage us to press forward, to keep fighting the good fight, to be good soldiers for Christ. Father we pray that we will never be called on to give our lives for Christ, but if that time should come, please give us the strength to carry out Your will.
Father, the Apostle Paul also encourages that we make of ourselves a living sacrifice, to You and to Jesus. While we live, Lord, please help us always give of ourselves to Jesus, letting Him use our hands, our tongues, our resources, to carry out His great work upon this land. So many have given their lives because of their belief in Your Son since Jesus gave His. May their sacrifices have not been in vain. May we live on in their memory and continue their work and witnessing with the same strong belief and faith, ever seeking to serve Jesus.
Father God, please listen as we speak to You silently now from our hearts…
Father God, thank You for all the many blessing You shower upon us. Thank You for all the millions of believers who gave of their lives for Jesus. Thank You for the great sacrifice Jesus made just for us. While we breathe, may we dedicate our very lives to Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray in the glorious name of Jesus and on behalf of all who gave their lives for Him. Amen.
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