No expendables

Expendables

Although Canada and the UK have always had rather good relations, starting with Canada seeking independence in a peaceable way unlike our neighbours to the south, there have been time in history where tensions were higher than others.

Canada fought along side the British during both the 1st and 2nd world war. As a commonwealth nation we fought along side our allies bravely and proudly.

However as a former territory of Britain Some soldiers came home after the wars with a foul taste in their mouth for the crown, the Union Jack, and were anything but anglophiles (that is a person who loves all things British).

Why? Because some Canadian soldiers felt as if the British used them as expendables. As Canon fodder if you will.

They felt as if the British choose to deploy Canadian soldiers if the operation seemed un-winnable. And that when extraction or back up was needed felt as if Canadians were left out to dry so to speak.

Whether this was true or merely the perception of some it did make for some tense feelings.

Whether factual or simply the perception of the hurting, because when we are hurting our perception of things is often skewed, that doesn’t change the fact that nobody likes feeling...

Expendable

No one like feeling as if their lives are not valuable or important.

In recent history the mantra Black lives Matter has become a huge thing as African Americans and Canadians speak out against police brutality. And although Police brutality is an important issue what ended up happening was good people, good cops ended up getting painted with the same brush as a few bad apples. Which lead to assaults on police officers and complete disrespect. Which led to the slogan, Blue lives Matter.

Others choose the more inclusive line All lives Matter.

Bottom line is the idea that some lives are not worth as much as other lives is a lie straight from the pits of Hell. The truth is in we discover...

2 Peter 3:9 NLT

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

As far as God is concerned there are no expendables. To Him ALL LIVES MATTER, which is why He waits for as many to turn to Him and be saved as possible.

But that is not what I came to talk about this morning. It is important for sure, but what I want to talk about are the lives that already belong to Him.

As this year comes to a close I think we can all agree this has been one trial filled year.

The number of deaths in our area is staggering, injuries and sickness astounding. And I am reminded of

1 Peter 5:

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Which leads me to my question for today.

What will be our response to the attacks of the enemy?

To answer that let us read a little more in

1 Peter 5:1–11 NLT

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

1 Peter 5:1–12 NLT

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

We will stand Together!!!

Me: Shortly after I arrived Here we adopted a new mantra, anyone want to guess what it is. Share where it came from.

We: We are not alone in this thing

God: Peter tells seniors to care for the younger, the younger to learn from the seniors because the will one day be the seniors and a warning to ....

You: Are you struggling do not do it alone.

We: We need to be here for each other.

Next Step: Pray