Whatever It Takes

In September 1939, the Nazi military began their quest to conquer all of Europe by attacking Poland. Over the next 8 months, the German Blitzkrieg would see the countries of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands fall to the Nazi forces. The Nazis, sending three panzer divisions sought to end the war in Europe by eradicating the remaining Belgian, British and French forces in Dunkirk, France. By 21 May, German forces had trapped the BEF, the remains of the Belgian forces, and three French field armies along the northern coast of France. BEF commander General Viscount Gort immediately saw evacuation across the Channel as the best course of action, and began planning a withdrawal to Dunkirk, the closest good port.

Between 26 May and 4 June, 1940, the Dunkirk evacuation, codenamed Operation Dynamo and also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, or just Dunkirk, saw the evacuation of over 338,226 soldiers rescued by a hastily assembled fleet of over 800 vessels that included speedboats, Thames river vessels, car ferries, pleasure craft, and many other types of small craft.

In a speech to the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered "We shall fight on the beaches" speech on 4 June, he hailed their rescue as a "miracle of deliverance”.

In this speech, Churchill stated, “Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle...”

Churchill understood that in that moment, the British empire would have to do Whatever it took to win the war against Hitler and his socialist ideology.

Today, we face a monumental task as Christians. We face a world that is on its own

The Mission

The four men had a problem, their friend was facing an uncertain future. As a paraplegic in ancient Judea he lived at the mercy and kindness others. At best he would spend his life as a beggar. Either way his culture saw him as a sinner.

In Jewish thought to be sick was a result of sin.

But the friends loved him

The Pharisees and crowds were concerned with condemning him. His friends were concerned with saving ham.

Question: What is my mission?

The Obstacle

Asthe men approach they are confronted by two obstades that both have the power to hinder them.

The first is the crowd, on lookers and other seekers.

When it comes to loving others we too face this obstacle. Business, the cares of this world, distractions. Its easy to be sidetracked in our mission.

The second is thePharisees, religious people more concerned with finding fault in Christ and others then accomplishing God's purposes.

Jesus called us to be salt and light, to make disciples but it we are more concerned with play's spiritual gotcha than ve are with making disciples then we arenot seeking to honor Christ but to puff ourselves op.

Question: What challenges do I see that keeps me from sharing Christ with others?

The Plan

Isaiah 43:25 ESV

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

The friends saw the obstacles but refused to give up so they came op with a plan. They climbed the roof, removed the ceilings tiles, and lowered their friend down.

Nothin was more important then saving their friend so they resolved to do whatever it took to save their friend.

Are we willing to overcome our comfort and ourpride to see others come to Christ?

Pray, invite, share: this is our plan to reach others, to reach our One.

The Savior

James 5:15 ESV

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Ultimately, though the friends loved their One, this is the story of Jesus love for us.

As r Kent Hughes notes:

This is how it was and is with God too, for God so loved the world that he made the ultimate sacrifice for us (cf. John 3:16). He dug, so to speak, through the roof of the world and lowered his Son down so Jesus could die for our sins

Ultimately we hold t this truth: God loves our one more than we possibly can,