Veterans Day Sermon

John 15:12-17

This is a special weekend. It is a time we set aside to honor our veterans. Now I will be honest, our country has neglected many of the men and women who have served in our armed forces.

About the only honor our country gives to these individuals is a sale at a furniture store. But these are soldiers that we should not forget. That should hold a special place in our society.

I am grateful that their willingness to serve has provided us this great freedom that we have today. A freedom where we can gather together and worship the Lord.

So, it is important that we recognize all who have served and thank them for their dedication to our country.

These are people who said, I am willing to fight in what I believe in. I am willing to fight for my country. I am willing to lay my life down for those that I do not know, so they may have freedom.

It is that conviction that these individuals had that makes me ask, would you and I be willing to do the same?

Read along with me what the Bible says here.

(Read Scripture)

This passage makes it very clear to us, that we serve under the command of Jesus Christ. And he is speaking to his soldiers.

He is speaking to you and I. And he emphasizes the mission. You see, right now, if you have given your heart to Jesus Christ, you enlisted into the Lord’s Army.

You are identifying with Christ, and you believe in what he is fighting for. And just as one might join one of the military branches, they will have a commander, when you enlist in the Lord’s Army, you recognize that Jesus is your commander.

And he gives a command to us as soldiers. Now I want you to notice first…

The Rank of this Command (where does this command comes from) (vs 12-13)

· This command comes from the top

· It is a command that we must obey

· It is a command that may cost us our lives

The Relationship to the Commander (vs 14-15)

· The troops follow someone they trust

· A commander who doesn’t care and have a relationship with his troops won’t have those who will follow

· He doesn’t look at you as a servant, he looks at you as his friend

The Recruitment by the Commander (vs 16)

· Jesus is actively recruiting for his army

· Draft of wars in the US, not everyone is accepted. Christ doesn’t refuse any who want to come.

· Recruits young and old, recruits black and white.

· He has chosen you today, will you put on the uniform?

The Reminder of the Command (vs 17 Closing)

· This is our mission

· If we fail at this, lives will be lost

There is a children’s song that serves as a reminder to us

I may never march in the infantry Ride in the cavalry Shoot the artillery I may never fly o’er the enemy But I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes Sir!

· Are you following orders? Are you listening to the commander?