Topic Memorial Day Remembering the price that was paid

Memorial Day – Remember the price that was paid for us so we can be free. Let’s look at the price that was paid.

WAR NUMBER SERVING WOUNDED BATTLE DEATHS Revolutionary War 217,0003 6,188 4,435 War of 1812 286,730 4,505 2,260 Mexican War 78,718 4,152 1,733 Civil War (Both Sides) 3,213,363 354,805 191,963 Spanish American War 306,760 1,662 385 World War I 4,734,991 204,002 53,402 World War II 16,112,566 671,846 291,557 Korean Conflict 5,720,000 103,284 33,741 Vietnam Conflict 8,744,000 153,303 47,424 Iraq/Afghanistan 2001+ 1,600,000 ? 32,799 4,683

It is appropriate that we honor the deaths of those who have died so that we can be free. So tomorrow we set aside a day to honor and remember them.

But there is a greater freedom than mere freedom of life in a country.

The greater freedom I am talking about is the one that is the freedom from bondage of sin. The freedom from facing the consequences of sin. The freedom to have a relationship with God. The freedom to live for Him.

But this free came at a great cost. Jesus took that cost. He paid for our freedom with His own body. By shedding His own blood.

Today we will set aside a time to honor that great sacrifice as well. emember His sacrifice for us that gives us true freedom in Him.

Jesus Himself predicted this event as He walked with His disciples to Jerusalem.

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(ESV) Mark 10 32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

(ESV) Mark 10 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Bob Tapley came across a story that he read this week that is appropriate to the occasion. Bob would you read your story.

Today we will celebrate and remember Christ’s death for us. Let us remember the price that was paid. Page Break Remembering the Price that was paid -  The death penalty demanded

From the beginning Gen 2:7-9, 16-17 (ESV) Genesis 2 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (ESV) Genesis 2 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Passed on to all people Rom 5:12 (ESV) Romans 5 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Earned by every person Rom 6:23 (ESV) Romans 6 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Page Break And so this left man in with an impossible situation. He has no hope – unless someone dies in his place. Someone take on his suffering. Remembering the Price that was paid – The substitute suffering

Inadequate sacrifices of the past Heb 10:4, 6, 11-12 Inadequate to cover sin (ESV) Hebrews 10 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. Christ sacrifice sufficient Heb 10:12 (ESV) Hebrews 10 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Took our deserved suffering Isa 53:4-6 (ESV) Isaiah 53 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; … 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 … the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. An exchanged death Rom 5:6, 8, 10 (ESV) Romans 5 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. … 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. … 10 … while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son … An exchanged righteousness 2 Cor 5:21

(ESV) 2 Corinthians 5 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

THE BREAD

Danny descends to the table and takes up the bread.

“Before He went to the cross Jesus gave us a symbol to help us remember the price He was to pay. A symbol of His body that would be broken and suffer for our sin.”

(ESV) Luke 22 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Danny breaks the bread “His body broken for us”

Music begins.

Deacons who will serve stand up. Danny gives the trays to Mike Miller. Mike to the servers.

Bob will you pray and give thanks for the bread – a symbol of Jesus’ body given for us.

Prayer.

“Please hold the bread and after it is passed out, we will eat together.”

Music.

Serve. And return and stand at front. Danny will take the trays and serve the deacons.

“Let us eat together.”

Deacons take their seats. Page Break Remembering the Price that was paid – The shedding of blood A requirement for blood Heb 9:22 (ESV) Hebrews 9 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

The inadequacy of animals Heb 10:4, 6 (ESV) Hebrews 10 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. … 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. The sufficiency of Christ’s blood Heb 9:12 (ESV) Hebrews 9 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Redemption achieved 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 5:9

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 18 … you were ransomed from the futile ways … not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(ESV) Revelation 5 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

JUICE

Danny descends to the table and takes up the bread.

“Before He went to the cross Jesus gave us another symbol to help us remember the price He was to pay. A symbol of His blood that would be shed for our sin.”

(ESV) Luke 22 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, … 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Danny holds up juice “His blood shed for us”

Deacons who will serve stand up. Danny gives the trays to Mike Miller. Mike to the servers.

“Please hold the juice and after it is passed out, we will drink together.

Charlie will you pray and give thanks for the juice – a symbol of Jesus’ blood shed for us.”

Prayer.

Music.

Serve. And return and stand at front. Danny will take the trays and serve the deacons.

“Let us drink together.”

Deacons sit down.

Invitation.