Veteran's Day Message: Sacrifice

Statistics tell a story...

The Statistics are alarming. When you stop to think about the number of lives claimed in the worlds WWI the number of deaths alone is staggering:

(Death Statistics) Iraq/Afghanistan War that last 13 years, from 2001 to 2014, claimed the lives of 7,222 American military. The Korean war 1950-1953 claimed 54, 246 military lives. The vietnam war 1961 - 1975 claimed 58,209 lives, WWI 1917-1918 lasting less than two years, claimed 116,516 American military lives. And not surprisingly, WWII, 1941-1945 claimed 405,399 military lives when that war finally ended.

(Why would anyone choose to enter the military?) When you see the numbers of those who died, not to mention those who were wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally, if you take the time to stop to think of all those losses that our military men and women have faced in times of war, you have ask the question: Why? Why would anyone choose to enter the military knowing that the outcome may mean being wounded and having to live the remainder of your life hinder and affected your wounds, and even greater possibly losing your life, you have to ask “why?”

In the patriotic hymn, “America the beautiful”, there is a phrase that explains in part, the “why”,

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life!

Those who willingly chose to enter any of our branches of the military service are special people. They are people who are willing if required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

(Video: A Sister’s Sacrifice 1:50)

Insert video: A sister’s Sacrifice (1:50)

How long till I die?

She thought that giving her blood to her brother meant she had to lose her life for her brother to live. And even though she did not have to make the ultimate sacrifice – giving up her own life – she was willing, she was ready to lay down her life for her brother, for a single reason. Jesus knew why?

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Words Christ spoke to His disciples only hours before His own death on the cross. Knew Jesus knew what lay ahead. He saw long before this day, the humiliation he would face, the indignities He would endure, the pain others would inflict upon Him. Jesus knew the battle HE had to wage in order that HE might free us, from the power of sin, from the tyranny of satan, free from the fear of death.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

So this ultimate soldier, Jesus Christ came into our world to do battle with sin, satan and death, knowing that that the only means to victory would require him to lay down His life for his friends, for the world, for us.

He knew all along that he was a soldier who came into the world to do battle with sin, satan and death. He also know that that the only means to victory would requite him to lady down His life.

he would lay down his life for his friends, for the world, for us.

I stand before you today and say, “No one will ever love you more than Jesus.” He came knowingly to die, but He came

Matthew 20:26–28 ESV

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

ESV

We thank and praise our God for gift of His Son Jesus Christ, whose death means life, who resurrection from the dead means hope eternal for all who believe. WHY? HOW?

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Remember their Sacrifice

Video:

We Remember their sacrifice...

Video: Veterans Day Sacrifice

They are our family and friends. Their sacrifice makes possible the lives we live in this great nation. We have the privilege of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which is not a reality in many nations and for many people. We realize that our nation is not perfect. As long as we live in a world where sin, satan and death still affect our live infect our culture and ways, we will be a nation under construction. But given the choice I choose this nation to live and worship until our LORD Jesus calls me home.

Video:

When you think that of the 7 billion people on this planet today, count the people on the planet and There are many people today, 325 million, it is our nation that people of other cultures and tongues who come here to make their home. Why? America is a great nation.

n 15:13

Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation. (Joe Barton)

We celebrate today their sacrifices lest we forget what so many have offered on our behalf that we may live in this great and free land.

Jesus came into our world fully knowing the outcome of his mission, his life's work here in the flesh.

Our year-long theme reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ.

Our year-long theme reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ.

Matthew 20:26–28 ESV

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

mt 20

Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow. (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India 2002-2007)

Applaud their Courage

We are here today to Applaud their courage.

Courage is not being afraid. Courage is moving against your fear for something or someone other than yourself. Our military men and woman are people of courage, courageous people who are willing and ready to make certain that our land stays free and our nation remains a safe place to live and worship God.

Remember their Love

Sacrifice + Courage = Love

We are here today to remember their love of country and their love for others.

In the remembering we take a greater hold on our nations freedoms, and liberties, as we choose to stand side by side with them lest we forget what stand up for us, and what so many have fought and died for.

WE confess that we are not deserving of your sacrifice for too often we have taken for granted what you have offered and accomplished for us, for our nation, and for our world.

Thank You!

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Be Grateful

ESV

Applaud their sacrifice

Don’t lose what they fought for

Enlarge their work

One of the definitions of sacrifice found in the dictionary is: .

to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something or someone else.

She was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her brother.

Of the people that you know which of them have offered sacrifices for you?

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

ESV

She thought that giving her blood to her brother meant the end of her life.

She was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her brother.

John 15:13

BUT today, We salute YOU who are among us today and say, “thank you” Thank you for your love of country, thank you for your service to our nation, thank you for your sacrifice on our behalf.