Remember the Sacrifice

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Text: John 15:13;

John 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Introduction.

Tomorrow our nation will observe Memorial Day, a day which we set aside to reflect on the memory and sacrifices of those that died, and those who are forever scarred while fighting for our nation. This is a Major holiday in that most business give their employees the day off to honor this day.

Many people forget the reason for this day. They see it as an opportunity to party, vacation, go to the beach, or BBQ and don’t really reflect on the sacrifices that others have made so that they can enjoy their freedom. The truth is that Freedom isn’t Free, it has been purchased by the highest cost that a man or woman can pay. It was purchased with what God considers the most precious substances on the earth, blood.

So as we go about the day tomorrow, take some time to reflect on the cost of freedom, and offer up a thanks to those who have died, and say a prayer for families who have lost these heroes.

I. The Ultimate Sacrifice V.7 The ultimate sacrifice – When a person offers their life to safeguard the lives of others.

Here in this verse we see clearly that there is a small company of individuals that are willing to lay down their lives for others.

A. Paul says scarcely, it is very rare. There are people that have demonstrated this. The US Awards the Medal of Honor, the highest US Military decoration, and it is awarded to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. This is an award that more often than not is earned with their life. And is given to those who demonstrate Valor and Bravery without regard for their own life to save others.

B. This type of bravery is exceptional and rare. But even these men, who rightfully earn this highest distinction for valor above and beyond the call of duty, did so because of the bond of brotherhood and commitment that they had as soldiers and countrymen. There is a limit to this type of act of heroism, as honorable as these men were, they would likely not have dropped in to save an enemy. This doesn’t diminish their selfless act, but shows the limitations that mankind has on displaying a love that only Christ could show the world.

II. Jesus Sacrifice for enemies. V.8

A. Jesus loved us, when we had no merit. He loved us when we were unlovable. As the crowd mocked and cursed him on the cross,

Luke 23:34 34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

These were truly enemies, deriding him in his hour of suffering, yet we see his love displayed.

This love displayed is greater than any love that had even been shown.

4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

B. Highest Cost that God could pay.

John 3:16,17; 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God could have orchestrated any plan that he wanted according to His will, but the egregiousness and severity of sin, required an incredibly high price to atone. So God paid the highest price that could he could have possibly paid.

Gal 4:4; 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

III. Sacrifice requires obligation

A. Those who’s lives are spared often reflect on the sacrifice that was made for them. Why would someone that they consider more noble than themselves, would lay down their life for them. In this reflect there is an obligation to live up to the sacrifice that was made.

B. Private Ryan – Story of 4 brothers fighting on different fronts in WWII, and in a short space of time 3 brothers were KIA and news had to be delivered to the mother that 3 of her four sons had died. George C. Marshall put forth a mission to save the 3th son and so a squad is given the mission to save Private Ryan. Throughout the movie the squad members struggle with the mission, as to why this one man’s life was worth risking the lives of all of them. Yet they continued the mission. At the end after most of the squad had died, and the Captain with his dying breath told Private Ryan to “Earn This”. He was telling him live a life worthy of this sacrifice.

C. God requires sacrifice. 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Paul says we’ve been bought with a price. And that we are not our own.

This fills us with an obligation to live lives worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 2:12; 12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Col 1:10-13; 10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

We are obligated to live up to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice reminds us of our duty and obligation to walk worthy.

Conclusion – Freedom and Liberty is a generation away from extinction.

Reagan quote, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fight for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

We need to remember the sacrifices of the heroes, those who died for liberty.

We need to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, who in the face of tremendous opposition, and heavy grieving and vexation of in his Spirit, didn’t compromise. He paid the highest price.

We have an obligation to remember our fallen heroes and preserve the liberties that they died to protect, so we have a nation that we can pass to our children that will flourish in liberty. We too have an obligation, to remember Christ and walk worthy. Christianity isn’t passed to our children in the bloodstream. But it requires sacrifice. Sometimes taking a more difficult path, because the easy one is filled with sin. We can walk worthy of Christ and his sacrifice, by sharing his love with those around us.