EMBRACE THE EXCHANGE

A LESSON IN HONOR VIDEO

INTRO

Ross Andrew McGinnis was just a regular kid from Knox, Pennsylvania—a small-town teenager who loved cars, played sports, and was known for his sense of humor and big laugh. From the time he was in kindergarten, Ross had said he wanted to be a soldier. It wasn’t a passing phase; it was a calling.

At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army through the delayed entry program, and by the time he was 19, he was serving in Iraq as a machine gunner with the 1st Infantry Division.

On December 4, 2006, Ross was manning the gun turret in a Humvee, leading a convoy through the dangerous streets of northeast Baghdad. Four of his fellow soldiers were inside the vehicle. Then, out of nowhere, an enemy fighter threw a grenade into the Humvee.

What happened next was instinct—but it was also something deeper. Training may teach you how to fire a weapon or take cover, but only love and courage can make a man lay down his life for others.

Ross shouted a warning to his brothers inside. He could have jumped out and saved himself—but instead, he threw his body on top of the grenade, cramming himself into the narrow space between the seats. He used his own body to absorb the full blast.

He died instantly.

But the four men inside survived. Because one soldier made a decision in a split second that reflected the greatest kind of love a human can give.

Later, those same men testified that without Ross’s sacrifice, they wouldn’t be alive today. His actions were honored with the Medal of Honor, but the true legacy he left was love—a love that laid down its life for friends.

John 15:13 NLT

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Ross McGinnis didn’t just wear a uniform—he embodied sacrificial love. But his story is only a glimpse of an even greater sacrifice made on a cross over 2,000 years ago. Jesus didn’t just die for His friends—He died for His enemies. For you. For me.

If a young man can give his life to save four friends, how much more powerful is the love of Jesus, who gave His life to save the world?

Isaiah 53:3–6 NLT

He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

A beautiful exchange happened the day that Jesus sacrificed His life.

Our greatest challenge is to embrace the exchange.

MAIN POINT

1. BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE, WE CAN LOVE SACRIFICIALLY.

1 John 4:19 NLT

We love each other because he loved us first.

Our ability to love comes from the embrace of God’s love.

Love for God is shown by love for people.

Because of His love, we serve.

Because of His love, we forgive.

Because of His love, we keep showing up.

Because of His love…

We serve—when it’s easier not to.

We forgive—when it’s not deserved.

We show up—again and again.

We’re not trying to earn love; we’re living from it.

Ephesians 4:23 NLT

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

2. BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE, WE CAN GIVE SACRIFICIALLY.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11–13 NLT

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:19 NLT

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

A. YOU ARE A PART OF A GENEROUS CHURCH.

AMAZON WISH LIST

B. WE ARE A GENEROUS CHURCH BECAUSE GOD IS OUR SOURCE.

SUPPORT

2 Corinthians 9:10 ESV

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

C. YOU ARE A GENEROUS PERSON.

D. YOU ARE A GENEROUS PERSON BECAUSE GOD IS YOUR SOURCE.

When we show our children why we give, they begin to understand that God is the source—not us.

EXPLAIN TO YOUR KIDS WHAT YOU GIVE AND WHY YOU GIVE.

3. BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE, WE CAN LIVE SACRIFICIALLY.

John 10:10 NLT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

The enemy loves isolation.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

75% LEFT THE FAITH FROM AGE 18-29.

WHY DID THE 25 STAY?

ATE DINNER 5 OF 7 NIGHTS A WEEK AS A FAMILY.

SERVED WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN MINISTRY.

HAD ONE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE IN THE HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY DURING THE WEEK.

RESULT: RESULT OF INFO

When we embrace the exchange—Christ’s life for ours—we become living examples of that exchange.

CHALLENGE: PERSONAL CHALLENGE

PUT LOVING ON DISPLAY.

PUT GIVING ON DISPLAY.

PUT LIVING ON DISPLAY.

PUT JESUS ON DISPLAY.

CONCLUSION/CLOSE