Decoration Day: Memorial Day

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.”

PRAY

Talk about Memorial Day and what it means. Sacrifice. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.

Honor and Remember

Standing on the shoulders of Giants

Remembering the Sacrifice

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.”

It’s important to remember those who gave it all for our freedoms we enjoy every day.

What vision. What bravery. What courage. What hope. What faith they must have had!

This week, take the time to thank those who served as we remember those to served and died.

Cost of Freedom

1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

We were purchased with a price. The sacrifice of Christ. Our nation was purchased at a cost as well. The blood and sacrifice of soldiers.

Freedom isn’t Free

Think about the freedoms we enjoy today. Consider how we got them.

Honoring the Fallen

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones.”

God values our lives when we serve him especially.

We are precious in His eyes.

Their sacrifice wasn’t in vain and God knows this.

If you feel led, find a way to give back.

Legacy of Service

2 Timothy 2:3–4 “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.”

Paul using this example of a soldier for good reason. It tells of dedication and focus required in serving.

We are to look at the bigger picture and set aside ourselves for that purpose.

Decoration Day

Isaiah 57:1–2 “The righteous person perishes, and no one takes it to heart; And devout people are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous person is taken away from evil, He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way.”

Tell what the root of Memorial Day was/is. Decorating the graves of solders.

Soldiers understand that there is meaning for laying down your life for the greater good.

As Christians, we undstand this as well.

Hope Beyond the Battlefield

Revelation 21:4 “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.””

Today is about remembering, but it’s also a time to hold on to the hope offered by Christ on the cross. One day, there will be no more tears, suffering, crying, pain, or death.

Share this with those who may be hurting or fighting their own battles.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Today, let us Honor and Remember.

Christ is our soldier. He fights for us this day and gave His life so that we can truly live

INVITATION