Remembering

Intro: May 27th we celebrate Memorial Day. It is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor those who died in the Civil War. Now on Memorial Day, we honor the memories of all those who have died in military service for the United States of America. There have been hundreds of thousands of great soldiers in this country’s history. We want to remember the tremendous price those warriors gave. They gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom. As we remember those who have given their lives to protect our freedom, let us also remember the One who gave His life to free us from sin, spiritual bondage and death. While we honor the war dead throughout America's history this morning, another great Warrior comes to my mind. Jesus was the perfect Warrior! We are to remember Him, His life, death, and love for us. We don't want us to forget the tremendous price He paid for us.

I. We remember Jesus' life and mission. Luke 19:10 (NLT)  The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Jesus left the glories of Heaven and came to this earth as a man to give salvation to as many as would receive Him and then He gave them the right to become children of God so all who believe could spend an eternity with Him and the Father in Heaven. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b) He came to show us the love, mercy, grace, and compassion of the Father toward mankind. John 1:16 From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

II. We remember Jesus' death. Matthew 27:45-51 (NLT) ⁴⁵  At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. ⁴⁶  At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” ⁴⁷  Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. ⁴⁸  One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. ⁴⁹  But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰  Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. ⁵¹  At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Jesus died a horrible death as a common criminal in our place as our perfect sacrifice so we could be saved from the penalty of our sins and made right with God. Jesus died so we could have peace with God through Him. (Rom. 5:1) It's very important we remember His death on the cross for us because His death opened the way to God’s throne and Heaven. He paid the ultimate price for our sins so we might be saved and healed. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christ bore the punishment for our sins. God made Jesus, who was completely innocent and perfect, to bear our sin so He could take it away and make us right with God.

III. We remember Jesus' love. John 15:9-13 (NKJV) ⁹ "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. We remember that Jesus proved His love for us in leaving the glories of Heaven to come to earth to live a perfect life in our stead. He completely fulfilled the law of God for mankind. By living the perfect life, He became the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind when He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins against a Holy God. In love He gave up His life on the cross for us that we could be free from God’s judgment and wrath. There is no greater love than Jesus had for us when He laid down His life for us and called us His friends. Revelation 1:5-6 Jesus loves us and has washed us from our sins in His own blood, ⁶  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him. John 15: ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. What a Savior and God we have.

Conclusion: We must continually remember what Jesus has done for us so we will remember to give Him the priority in our lives and live for Him because He is truly worthy.

Invitation: Jesus loved you so much, He died on the old rugged cross to be your Savior and Lord. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, now is the time to confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of your sins.

Jesus will hear your earnest prayer. He will save you and prepare you a place in Heaven.

The Glorious Appearing

 

Scripture Text

Titus 2:13
 Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Intro: This verse tells us we are to be looking for the blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus shall soon appear in all the glory and majesty of His Being. What will be so blessed about His return? The words "blessed hope" means to be filled with joy, prosperity, richness, benefits, the highest good, all the great and glorious benefits imaginable. Therefore, the blessed hope of the Lord's return is to be filled with all that you can imagine and more. If you can imagine the highest good and all the richness of life possible, the appearing Jesus Christ in all His glory will be that and more.

1. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious union. [1 John 3:2] (NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. We shall see Christ for the first time and be united with Him forever. What a day that will be.

2. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious reunion.                     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT) ¹³  And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. ¹⁴  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. ¹⁵  We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.¹⁶  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. ¹⁷  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
¹⁸  So encourage each other with these words. Very soon Jesus will return and when He does Our loved ones and friends who have died in Christ shall return with Him and their bodies will arise and be united with their souls and we who live shall be changed and reunited with them forever. 

3. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious transformation of body. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NKJV) ⁵¹  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-⁵²  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
At Jesus' return we receive our new incorruptible, eternal bodies.

4. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious life of joy. Revelation 21:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5) "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Matthew 13:43 (NKJV) Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! At that time we shall receive a perfect life of joy, happiness and freedom from trials, tears, pain, suffering, separation, evil, and death.

5. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious dwelling place and mansion. (John 14:2-3) "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Forever with Jesus and the Father God who will supply all our needs thru eternity.

6. The return of Jesus Christ will mean a glorious eternal inheritance.     1 Peter 1:3-6 (NLT) ³  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴  and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ⁵  And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. ⁶  So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

Invitation: Are you ready and looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ? If not, now is the time to confess your sins to Jesus, ask Him to forgive you and save you from hell and give you a home in heaven. Only then will you be ready for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!