Series: All Nations & All Generations
May 24, 2015
Remembering the Cost for All Generations
Intro: America the Beautiful
Patriotic/Memorial Day VideoPledge of Allegiance to the American flag and the Christian flag
Slide of Christian Flag pledge
Title Slide
This month we’ve been talking about our obligation to All Nations & All
Generations. As we come to Memorial Day, I remember that we have
had people give their lives in EVERY GENERATION for the freedoms
that we enjoy here in the United States.
-
Revolutionary War – 4435
War of 1812 – 2260
Mexican War – 13,283
Civil War – 364,511 (Union)
o 133,821 (Confederate – est. Charlotte Observer)
Spanish-American War – 2446
World War I – 116,516
World War II – 405,399
Korean War – 36,574
Vietnam – 58,209
Persian Gulf War – 382
Iraq 2003-2012 – 4,489
Afghanistan 2001-2014 – 2356
Every generation – In every generation there have always been those
who did not agree with all of the reasons for war. It would be nice if there
were no war. I agree.
But I think that it is true that if we do not fight to protect what we have
from those who would take it away – even if they are fighting to take it
away from those who support us in other countries – if we don’t fight to
preserve what we have – then not only will we not have the freedom, we
will not even have our lives. If people are not willing to make the sacrifice
for freedom, then there would be no freedom – the tyrants, despots and
oppressors would take over the world.
A few years back I taught a series about War & Peace – don’t have the
time to go through all of that today, but to summarize:
- The Old Testament teaches: in a fallen, imperfect world God
uses war to accomplish His purposes
- In the New Testament: Jesus spoke of war as inevitable; God
blesses those who work for peace; but we have an obligation to
obey our government; though there are occasions where civil
disobedience is warranted
- Through the years of Church History, various church leaders
have defined what constitutes a “just war” & concerns to observe
even during times of war.
In Revelation, John saw that there was even war in heaven.
Martin Luther & St. Augustine understood that there were two kingdoms
– the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Man –
Martin Luther & Augustine – 2 pics on one slide –
The Kingdom of Man is ruled by the rulers of the world and includes
everyone who is not in the kingdom of God. These men and women
have no knowledge of God, are not filled with the Holy Spirit, and sin
without grace. However, God has appointed this kingdom with the
responsibility for keeping peace here on earth. Thus, Luther says that
Christians, even though they are part of the Kingdom of God, must work
within the Kingdom of Man in order to help bring about peace in this
world. Christians must work towards this end because Jesus commands
them to love their neighbor.
Christians must fill roles within the Kingdom of Man that help keep the
peace and establish justice. Although Luther separates the two
kingdoms, citizens of the Kingdom of God are called to cross over into
the Kingdom of Man to help “Keep the peace.”
Therefore, Christians are to serve as soldiers, law enforcement officials,
and all other roles while utilizing necessary violence in order to keep the
peace. These acts of violence are not sin but rather are actions done in
the name of love for the establishment of peace in this world.
Picture of Sgt. Alvin C. York
Alvin York, young man from Tennessee when WWI broke out – belonged
to a pacifist church, but was not approved as a conscientious objector.
He was a sharpshooter – of turkeys in the field – and in military training.
But he didn’t know what he would do or how he would react in war. He
didn’t know whether he would be able to go through killing other people.
He read Jesus’ words – Matthew 22:21 – and on October 8, 1918, in the
Argonne forest, York was ordered to take his squad on a surprise attack
against an emplacement of German machine guns. They surprised a
group of 15 - 20 Germans, including a Major, and took them prisoners
without a shot. But the Major called out in German, and suddenly York's
squad was under fire from a ridge less than 30 yards away. With all but
two of his squad killed, York "exchanged shots" with the machine
gunners. York wrote in his diary: "There were over 30 of them in
continuous action and all I could do was touch the Germans off as fast
as I could. I was sharpshooting. I don't think I missed a shot. It was no
time to miss." Suddenly, a German Lieutenant and five soldiers jumped
from a trench and charged him with fixed bayonets, York took aim and
shot the last man first, then the man next farthest away, and so on, until
all six had fallen.
Finally, the German Major offered to surrender his entire command, if
York would "just stop shooting." Upon return to Allied lines, it was
determined that York had taken 132 prisoners. The next morning, 28
dead Germans were found at the scene of the fight: the same number of
shots York said that he fired and 35 German machine guns were taken.
He became the most decorated U.S. soldier of WWI.
York acted after much prayer and seeking God and determined that in
order to save life, preserve life and bring peace, lives on the side of evil
had to be taken.
So America has found itself fighting for life and freedom all around the
world in every generation. Many have died, so we have become a nation
of memorials.
Picture of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, Gettsburg Address, November 19, 1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or
any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met
on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of
that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do
this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who
struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or
detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to
be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here
have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated
to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full
measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new
birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for
the people, shall not perish from the earth.
“It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
Big Idea: It is altogether fitting and proper that we
should remember those who gave their lives both for
our national freedom, and for our spiritual freedom.
Ephesians 6:12- For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood
enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,
against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the
heavenly places.
Revelation 13:9-10 – Anyone with ears to hear should listen and
understand… Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently
and remain faithful.
1st Timothy 6:12 – Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the
eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so
well before many witnesses.
2nd Timothy 4:5 – But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good
News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2nd Timothy 2:11-12 - This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we
will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him…
T.S.: There are 2 memories I want to highlight today:
1. We remember those who have given their lives
Picture of me in cemetery
Derryberry Cemetery –
Thomas J. Brodie, my great-great grandfather, 1st Sgt. Co. G, 7th
Tennessee Cavalry – Died at age 22. He fought for the Union – was a
prisoner at Andersonville – survived only to die on the way home. It was
because of his death that my great-great grandmother received a small
government pension, and used it to buy the land on which my father was
raised.
Mark M. Renfro, Lieut. Of 7th U.S. Cavalry, Died Aug. 6, 1865 – 53 years
– gave his life in the Civil War
On the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., there are 17 named
Blankenship.
My Mom’s uncle, Paul Mullins, gave his life in a military plane exercise
during WWII.
Colin Powell, General & former Secretary of State was asked a question
by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey about America’s
role in war:
“We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred
years and we’ve done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and
put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost
their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury
them in, and otherwise we have returned home to seek … our own lives
in peace, to live our own lives in peace.”
But we not only remember those who have given their lives for the
freedoms of this country and the freedoms of oppressed people around
the world in every generation – We remember those who have given
their lives for the cause of Christ – in every generation – and it has been
passed to this generation.
More people gave their lives for Christ in the 20th Century than in all the
previous centuries combined – it has only increased in the 21st Century.
Today is the most dangerous time in the world to openly declare yourself
a follower of Jesus Christ.
Pictures of early martyrs
Stephen – stoned to death after testifying to the Jewish Council that
Jesus was the Messiah
James, the son of Zebedee was beheaded.
Philip was beaten severely, thrown into prison, and crucified (about 54
A.D.).
Matthew, the tax-collector from Nazareth who wrote the Gospel, was
preaching in Ethiopia when he was killed by sword (about 60 A.D.).
James, the brother of Jesus, at the age of 94 was beaten and stoned,
and finally had his brains bashed out with a club.
Matthias was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
Andrew was crucified on a cross, in the shape of an X, now known as St.
Andrew’s Cross.
Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of a
pagan idol.
Peter was crucified upside down, at his own request, because he said he
was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.
Paul was beheaded.
Jude, also known as Thaddeus was crucified in about 72 A.D.
Bartholomew translated the Gospel of Matthew in India. He was beaten
and crucified there.
Thomas, the Twin, famous for his doubt of Jesus’ resurrection, preached
in Parthia and India. He was thrust through with a spear by pagan
priests.
Luke was reportedly hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
Barnabas, of Cyprus, was killed about 73 A.D.
Simon the Zealot preached in Africa and Britain, where he was crucified
in about 74 A.D.
John, the Beloved Disciple, suffered great persecution, but was the only
apostle who escaped a violent death.
Early Christians were fed to the lions, burned at the stake – no mercy to
children, families, elderly –
Polycarp – was a disciple of the apostle John. He lived between 70 and
155 A.D. He served as the bishop of the church at Smyrna.
Polycarp was arrested on the charge of being a Christian. The Roman
proconsul took pity on such a gentle old man and urged Polycarp to
proclaim, “Caesar is Lord.” If only Polycarp would make this declaration
and offer a small pinch of incense to Caesar’s statue (an annual
requirement to show loyalty) he would escape torture and death.
But Polycarp, with his face set looked at all the crowd in the stadium …
and cried: “For eighty-six years … I have been His servant, and He has
never done my wrong; how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
“I have wild beasts,” said the proconsul.
“Call them,” replied the old man …
“If you make light of the beast,” retorted the governor, “I’ll have
you destroyed by fire…”
Polycarp answered, “The first you threaten burns for a time and
is soon extinguished; there is a fire you know nothing about …
Three times it was shouted to the crowd: “Polycarp has
confessed that he is a Christian …” Polycarp must be burnt alive … It is
recorded that Polycarp prayed – the fire grew so large and hot that the
executioners had to get out of the way, but Polycarp was singing praises
to God in the midst of the flame! The guards drew near again and thrust
spears into his body – so much blood gushed out that it doused the
flames! It took several attempts for them to finally kill him, then they
burnt his body.
Perpetua – 26 year old mother of an infant – beaten by her father – her
and her friend Felicity were fed to the lions.
Justin Martyr – beheaded
Jon Huss – John Wycliffe – just prior to the Reformation – were executed
by wicked and corrupt church leaders for translating the Bible into the
language of the people.
The Anabaptists – predecessors of those who came to found the
American colonies – killed for believing in adult baptism by immersion –
many of them were drowned in the rivers of Europe.
All nations & all generations – believers have had to decide whether or
not to openly serve Christ or deny their faith.
20th Century –
Picture of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Theologian and Pastor – left Germany under Hitler
– came to America – could have stayed here safe and sound – believed
God was calling him back to speak against the evil – He was imprisoned
and executed in Germany.
Picture of Richard Wurmbrand
Richard Wurmbrand – was born in a Jewish family in 1909 in Romania.
Gifted with great intelligence, fluid in 9 languages, before his conversion
he was active in leftist politics and worked as a stockbroker.
He married a girl named Sabina and they converted to Christ in 1938.
During WWII, Richard and Sabina preached in the bomb shelters and
rescued Jewish children out of the ghettos. They were repeatedly
arrested and beaten and, at least once, were nearly executed.
In 1945 Romanian Communists seized power and Russian troops
poured into the country. Pastor Wurmbrand ministered to his oppressed
countrymen and engaged in bold evangelism to the Russian soldiers.
That same year, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand attended a meeting
organized by the Communist government. Many religious leaders came
forward to praise Communism and to swear loyalty to the new regime.
Sabina said, “Richard, stand up and wash away this shame from the face
of Christ.” Richard warned, “If I do so, you’ll lose your husband.” She
replied, “I don’t wish to have a coward as a husband.” Thus Richard
declared to the 4,000 delegates, whose speeches were broadcast to the
whole nation, that their duty is to glorify God and Christ alone.
Between 1945 & 1947, Richard distributed one million Gospels to
Russian troops and smuggled Gospels into Russia.
On February 29, 1948, the secret police arrested Richard while on his
way to church and took him to their headquarters. He was locked in a
solitary cell and assigned as ‘Prisoner Number 1.’
2nd picture of Richard Wurmbrand
In 1950, his wife Sabina was also imprisoned. She was forced to serve
as a laborer on the Danube Canal project, leaving their nine-year-old son
Mihai alone and homeless. Following her release in 1953, the Romanian
authorities informed her that Richard had died in prison.
A doctor masquerading as a Communist Party member discovered
Richard alive in prison. In a general amnesty, Richard was released in
1956 after serving 8 ½ years in prison. He was warned never to preach
again. While in prison, he went through horrific tortures at the hands of
the brutal secret police. Despite the treatments and the warning he
received from his persecutors, Richard resumed his work with the
‘underground’ churches after his release.
He was re-arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 25 years but was granted
another amnesty and released in 1964.
3rd picture of Richard Wurmbrand
In December 1965, the Wurmbrands were allowed to leave Romania and
he became a ‘voice’ to the world for the underground church.
He wrote Tortured for Christ, Founded Voice of the Martyrs. In 1965 he
appeared before a U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, where
he stripped to the waist and revealed eighteen deep torture wounds on
his body.
Picture of Martin & Gracia Burnham
Martin Burnham – Philippines – pilot – captured for one year by Abu
Sayyef – wife Gracia survived –
In July 2012, Saeed Abedini,
Picture of Saeed Abedini family
an Iranian-born American pastor was arrested in Iran for his involvement
with house churches. He has suffered torture and is sitting today in an
Iranian prison. His wife has said, “I haven’t questioned God’s goodness. I
have discovered it.”
February 2014 – VOM reported: In July of 2013, two young girls in
Pakistan received a copy of “the Story of Jesus” in their native language
of Urdu.
Picture of Pakistani girls
These girls trusted Christ after reading the booklets. Just a couple of
months later, on a sunny Sunday morning, two suicide bombers entered
the All Saints Church compound in Peshawar, Pakistan. They waited
until the services were over and the nearly 500 worshipers began to
gather for a meal together. At 11:45, they detonated their suicide vests
and killed 78 people and injured another 130. It was the deadliest attack
on Christians in the history of Pakistan.
These two young sisters who received “the Story of Jesus” during the
July distribution, and began to follow Jesus, were killed in that attack.
Picture of Egyptian martyrs
Earlier this year, 21 Egyptian Christians were lined up and beheaded by
ISIS Islamic terrorists, simply for being Christians. Their last words were,
“Jesus Christ.”
A very quick look at the Voice of the Martyrs website and you will read
stories of Christian persecution and martyrdom in India, Laos, Niger,
Cuba, Uganda, Sudan, Nigerian, Sierra Leone, and more.
An average of at least 180 Christians around the world are killed each
month for their faith (Open Doors USA).
Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their
governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in
Christ (U.S. Dept. of State).
Christians in North Korea face the risk of detention in the prison
camps, severe torture and, in some cases, execution for practicing their
… beliefs.
Beyond remembering these and so many more who have given their
lives – in all nations and in all generations – for all nations and for all
generations –
2. We remember the One who gave His life for all
Picture of Jesus carrying cross
He died for the ultimate freedom – the freedom of the soul and spirit.
Mark 14:65 - Then some of them began to spit at him, and they
blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they
jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.
Mark 15:15-39 - …to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.
He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over
to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard … and called out the
entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn
branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and
taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a
reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock
worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the
purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him
away to be crucified…
Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross…
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three
o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice... “My
God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last…
When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had
died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
This is the man whose death enables anyone who will accept his
sacrifice to live in freedom! There is no truth which has been attacked
more viciously and with greater persistence than the truth that Jesus
Christ is God the Son.
This is the heart of the Good News – without Christ’s willing death on the
cross, there would be no hope for anyone to be saved from our sin and
God’s judgment.
We remember this death – we remember how He died – we remember
why He died – but we also remember that He rose again! He lives today!
He sent His Spirit to live with us!
John 3:16 – “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have
eternal life.”
Romans 5:8 – But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to
die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 8:1-2 – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong
to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the lifegiving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Galatians 5:1 – So Christ has truly set us free…