5.11 50a 11.11.2022 Veterans Day @ Oak Grove Cemetary Grayville IL

Sermon

Start

Entice: One Hundred Fifty years ago Illinois most famous citizen spoke at a cemetery consecration in Pennsylvania. This became a central act in our nations long history of gathering to honor those who have served our country. Every public speaker regardless of topic wants, at one time in their career to have a day like Lincoln had at Gettysburg.

In 271 words Lincoln added a page to what the philosopher Mortimer Adler called The American Testament.

I’m not a politician nor an orator. Just a preacher. It will take me more than 271 words. My hope is to provide some encouragement to each of you gathered here today.

We meet here and now:

at

the 11the hour

of the 11th day

of the 11th month

following a tradition which began with the armistice ending the "War to end all wars." The historians stopped calling it that around 1939 when it became clear that it was not the last war. To that end, we still gather, to remember the fallen, to pray for their families, and to thank those who have served.

Engage: Gettysburg was not the first cemetery, nor Lincoln the first speaker to deliver remarks upon such a day as this.

Expand: One of the most memorable occasions in scripture is recorded in 2 Samuel.

The honored dead,

fallen in battle--

a King and his son.

The speaker--

David.

2 Samuel 1:17–27 ESV

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said: 19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21 “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. 27 “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

Excite: Oh, that the weapons of war would perish from our world! Until they do, we will continue to commemorate those who serve.

Explore: It is right to honor those who have served our country.

Explain: David articulates some essential reminders.

Body of Sermon: First he reminds us about

Community.

We are in Grayville at our cemetery. Other communities gather at their own for similar ceremonies.

Conflict may be global… but grief and fondest remembrance is always local.

Courage

Glory is fleeting. Courage endures. Those who are called into service are seldom a part of the generation who issues the call. The reasons for conflict are often lost in the mists of time.

The soldier’s courage and brotherly bond is what carries them over fields of conflict. Another kind of courage is required of those who return from conflict. Often a courage as great as the courage which brought them into battle.

Finally, David sang his lament, and we gather today for

Comfort

Our efforts

May seem humble but they point the supreme source of comfort

Our God

Shut Down:

By its nature war is destructive. By their nature cemeteries tend to be depressing. Service is still honorable and good. Our world is still filled with conflict, anger, hatred, and suffering. Ever since Cain plotted to murder Abel we have been hard-pressed to get along. Every war since that day, east of Eden has simply expanded upon that brotherly hatred.

Our constant prayer should be that conflict cease.

Our words should speak peace.

Our deeds should build bridges of hope.

We will gather like this, year after year until the Prince of Peace has His way with His fallen creation and the words of the Prophet come to pass:

Isaiah 2:2–4 ESV

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, 3 and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.