VETERANS DAY

 Friday the 11th will be Veterans Day. It is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed every year on November 11. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all living U.S. military veterans.

I. VETERANS ARE COMMITTED TO A CAUSE: Our veterans have demonstrated a heart of courage committed to a cause:  The cause of freedom from oppression, and love of country. They are committed to the cause of Constitutional self-government. a. Jesus Christ was committed to a cause! Luke 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He wanted to save the world through the cross, not save Himself from the cross.  Just as our veterans are committed to a cause, so Jesus was committed to a greater cause of saving the lost! Let me ask you a question: Are you committed to His cause of reaching others? For what cause would you risk your life? For what purpose would you dedicate your energies…your finances, your time? We honor our veterans. But we worship our Commander in Chief, Jesus. We owe our liberty to our veterans. But we owe our eternal lives to Jesus Christ. We salute the flag! But we kneel before the Christ of the cross. 

II. VETERANS ARE DEDICATED TO CHANGING THE COURSE OF THE FUTURE: What would have happened if it hadn’t been for the dedication of our veterans? Yes, we still live in a corrupt and twisted society, but who knows what powers might have dominated, if it were not for the commitment of our veterans?  Truly, in each war, they changed the course of the future.  a. Jesus was dedicated to changing the course of mankind’s future. Colossians 2:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³  And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins of the flesh, God has made alive together with Jesus, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, the course of mankind's future was changed. The penalty of sin and its power over believers was miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ, believers are forgiven and found not guilty, before God, their judge. Because of Jesus’ dedication to save us, the course of our future has been changed from hell to Heaven. We owe all we are to Him! What are you dedicated to do for the future of this country …For this church… …for your own family? Our nation’s history may have been much different…Without the contribution of our veterans. Our lives would have been much different without the change Jesus made in our lives through His death on the cross as payment for our sins. 

III. VETERANS ARE WILLING TO PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE: Our veterans are dedicated and willing to pay the price for freedoms sake: They give up the safety and peacefulness of being at home. They leave their friends and families. Some surrendered their personal plans for education and career. Some suffered the loss of sight! Some forfeited their limbs! Many were terribly physically disabled. Many actually paid the price of their very lives. Our veterans pay the ultimate price for our freedom.  a. Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price of all He had for us. Luke 23:44-46 (NKJV) ⁴⁴  Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last. Jesus became our substitute. No greater price has ever been paid than that Jesus paid for us! Jesus paid in His blood for the salvation of those who couldn’t have cared less. Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Jesus didn’t shrink back at the point of death. Jesus gave His all for us that we might be saved. Countless young men and women, in the bloom of youth, have been willing to pay the price, however great, in order to protect and change the course of the future of this nation.  As they pay the ultimate price for our freedom, so Jesus paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom. He has saved us from the penalty and power of sin. And as a result, we have become an eternal monument to the riches of His mercy and over abundant grace. He paid the ultimate price, His life and precious blood. What price are you willing to pay, to maintain our spiritual freedom? Will you vote? What price are you willing to pay to fulfill the purpose Christ has called you? What prices are you willing to pay to rid yourself of all that robs you of God’s will for your life? 

CONCLUSION: Veterans’ Day is an opportunity for us to thank those who love us enough to give their lives in service for us. There are monuments that stand today in honor and memory of our brave soldiers. This Tuesday is election day. More than half of the Christians in America don't vote. It is our sacred duty to vote for the candidate who stands for the things that the bible says are right. Know what the candidates stand for and vote the bible. Some veterans and Jesus died to give us freedom to vote. If we fail to exercise our right to vote we will soon lose that right and our freedoms. The cross is a permanent monument that speaks of freedom to all who will hear. We should thank our veterans for their contribution toward our freedom and thank Jesus daily for paying the ultimate price to redeem not only our souls, but also our bodies.

Invitation: Have you taken advantage of Jesus’ shed blood as payment for your sins? If not, confess your sins to Christ, ask Jesus right now to forgive you and save your soul for Heaven.