Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor”
Introduction: Today we recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served in our country’s military. Thank you for your faithful service to our military, this day honors you. This morning we would like to look at some things that our country’s veterans have done.
Our Country’s Veterans Have:
- Served Sacrificially– These men and women made great sacrifices because they love this country. These veterans gave themselves, their time, their resources, their personal goals, for the good of of the military not expecting anything in return. Skipped meals, stayed up late, put others first, and some even layed down their lives for others.
- Specialist Sabo, Young Military Man in Vietnam who sacrificed himself in the jungle because of enemy fire. Scooped up a grenade and threw it back at the enemy and then charged toward an enemy machine gun suppression fire from comrades.
- Jesus Christ Served Others Sacrificially- Matthew 8:19-2- “And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head”.
- Greatest Sacrifice- John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. In like manner, Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross for the sins of the entire world.
- Served With Integrity- One of the the core values of the United States Air Force is “Integrity First”. Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching, when it is hard, or costly. And being the same person in public and in private. No shortcuts, no excuses, no double life. Hugh Thompson was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam who saw American troops massacring local villagers. Landed his helicopter and intervened. Thompson was shunned, called a traitor, and investigated. Didn’t look away, spoke up, risked his career but he did what was right. Genesis 39:9 “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, imprisoned for years- yet refused to sin against God. He lost freedom, reputation, spent years in prison, and yet God honored him because he kept his integrity. Went from prison to the palace and became the second in command.
- Served Enduring Hardness– These veterans suffered, stayed faithful, and refused to quit when the mission got difficult. Being in a foxhole. Being away from family. Skipping meals. Sleeping in tents. Endurance is simply not giving up, being faithful no matter what comes up. Adapting and overcoming. II Timothy 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”. II Corinthians 11:21- 28 Paul went through many things in this Christian journey and endured hardness. Every Christian should endure hardness- Suffering well for Christ, refusing to quit when mocked, falsely accused, when it gets hard, even when it cost everything. What hardness have you endured.
- Served with Much Humility– (Humility is free from pride, arrogance, humbleness of mind, modest of one’s self worth). Most of our veterans today don’t seek the attention or the spotlight. Many military members didn’t use their rank, skill, and sacrificed to lift up others. They wear stripes or collar insignia and yet they wash boots. Captain Chesley in 2009 landed flight 1549 on the Hudson. Walked the sinking plane twice to ensure every passenger was out before he left, told media “I was just one part of a team”. Gave credit to crew and first responders. Christians should serve others with humility. It doesn’t matter your title, your position, your spiritual level, always serve others with much humility. Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minster, and to give his life a ransom for many”. Luke 22:57 “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at mean? but I am among you as ye that serveth. Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh came to wash people’s feet and serve others, that humility!.
- Served Courageously– It takes bravery to serve our country, its not for the faint at heart. What does Courage look like this: people running out of a burning building while firefighters are running in. Sgt 1st Class Alwyn Cashe’s vehicle was hit by an IED and engulfed in flames. Ran into fire three times to pull out six soldiers while his skin melted off. Joshua 1:9 “ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.David faced a giant named Goliath. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace. Gideon attacked 135,000 Midianites with 300 men that had torches and jars. God is for us and that’s what give us Christians Strength for the daily battles. We were meant to be courageous in our Christian life.
- Served Trusting in God’s Protection– “In God we Trust”. Although as a country we are not as close to God as we once were, Our Country still acknowledges and trusts in the God of the Bible. We have a military that is not proud or boastful but simply trains hard and trusts in God. Veterans leaned on God’s presence, promises, and power in their weakest moments. Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in Chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD”. We may have a great military but we must always trust in God for the daily battles.
Conclusion: Don’t forget about the veterans in our church and our community. The have sacrificed much to have the liberties that we have here on this great USA.
Anchor Baptist Church 