"Freedom in Christ" - May 29, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: 1^st Corinthians 11: 24

The Sermon:
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and it is supposed to be a day when we remember all the brave men and women who have served our nation in times of war…and those who trained and prepared themselves to give the ultimate sacrifice if necessary…those who no longer walk this earth with us … those who died for our Freedom!

I read an article written about a man named Brian Rooney, who has spent thousands of dollars and thousands of hours cataloguing all the memorials, in the 50 states, to those who died in wars. He has found over 8,600...some are simple statues while others are very large and grand, like the Viet-Nam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.. When asked why he wanted to do this, he replied, "My mission is to bring humanity to everyone of them." He was fulfilling a promise he made to a dying soldier in Viet-Nam. The soldier’s dying words were , "Remember me."

I would like all of us to remember those who have served. Let us begin with our family members and friends. Instead of lighting candles this year, I would like to have those who want to say something about a loved one or friend, to please stand, Curtis will bring you the microphone. You may simply say their name or you may say more, whatever is on your heart. I want to do this in an orderly fashion, so I will begin with the back rows. If you wish to speak, please stand, all of you in the back rows, then pass the microphone to the next person after you finish. I will ask the next row to stand when everyone in the previous row is finished. Thank you.

So, would all those who want to speak in the back row please stand up.

This brings us to today’s Scripture: "Do this in remembrance of me." I believe that Jesus Christ gave the most to free humankind. He gave his life up on a cross so that we might be free from Sin. This is the greatest sacrifice ever made for humankind. The Son of God was arrested, beaten, mocked and thrashed. They spit on him, pressed a thorny crown on his head till blood oozed out, then they nailed his hands and feet to a cross. A soldier pierced his side with a spear. As his life blood spilled out from those wounds, what does He do? He prays for them saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He did all that… for you and for me. What did he ask in return? He simply asks for us to remember Him.

We are to remember his body, broken on a cross, when we break bread… not only at the Lord’s Supper, but anytime we share a meal… we are to remember His blood shed on a Cross, when we drink from the cup. I believe that whenever we are sharing a meal, it is "Memorial Day" for the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

I want to ask you to remember three things in your life: 1) Remember Jesus and His sacrifice 2) Remember that you are a sinner, and Jesus died for you 3) Remember to put your whole trust in our Lord It is not always easy, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can do it ! If you do these three things, you will experience the most exhilarating freedom you have ever felt…Freedom In Christ.

Amen.