A Greater Remembrance Memorial Day Sermon 5-20-12

A Greater Remembrance

Hebrews 10:26-39

Memorial day is a day in which we reflect upon the sacrifices of the brave men and women who fought to defend our freedoms and liberties. I pray we never forget their sacrifices. However It is a more fervent prayer that we never forget the greater sacrifice of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I stand here today to call the church to a greater remembrance. I call us to remember the love of our savior, to remember the place where we once stood. I petition you to reflect back to a time when this church stood as a beacon of light in this community and to strive to rise above that rich spiritual heritage to become the people that shine brighter than the sun.

Let us never forget the rich heritage, the sacrifice and the passion of those who have gone before us!

Don't start down the slippery slope of apostasy. First you get comfortable, then you get lazy, then you swell up, next you rot from the inside out then you die.

Stop rotting on the pew, because before you know it, will be too late and your filth will burst and your true nature will show itself.

If you realize that you are starting down the slippery slope here are several imperative steps you must take.

I. Repent of your self. Hebrews 10:26-29

A. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins - Heb 10:26 (KJV)

• Deliberately/willfully keep on sinning. This means intentional and continual sin, a person refusing to stop or repent; the warning is do not do this! This would be like knowing God and His principles, yet intentionally disobeying them and/or enticing others to do so too. This would also be abandoning the care of a church fellowship, deserting the Church, and/or not going anywhere to worship as well as doing things contrary to God's will. This insults God, and causes Christ to be crucified again; His grace is still there, beckoning us back. But if we stray too far and too long, we will pay for it and will deserve it. It is grace that is offered—which we do not deserve. This is also a retort to those who think they are not sinning when they are, or rationalize it as OK. (Ex. 24:8; Num.15:27-31; Lev. 4:2,22; Mark 14:24; Heb. 5:2; 6:4; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 1:8; 2:1-2).
• This is the unpardonable sin. (Blashphemy of the Holy Spirit Mt. 12:31-32)

B. What have you done with Jesus?

• Hebrews 10:27-29
• Have we disregarded the sacrifice of Jesus?

II. Fall Into The Hands of God Hebrews 10:30,31

A. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God for sinners.

• God is a good and righteous judge
• We are all found guilty we are not righteous.
• If God is a good judge He must judge us according to our crime. No amount of good out weighs the crime...
• Our Behavior has Consequences
Draw a line.... Imagine the most evil person who ever lived put them at one end of the line... (Hitler)... Imagine a person who lived the most benevolent life ever, put them at the other end of the line... (Mother Teresa)... Put yourself somewhere in between. Now lay that paper down and stand back 100 feet they don't look that far apart anymore.
• We all have the potential for the same evil as Adolph Hitler's Masacare of the Jews. Because in our heart is selfishness, pain,

B. God is alive and able to bring us new life.

• As believers we should treat His presence with reverence
• God The Son has the ability to pardon our sins and forgive us.
• Christ took our place to grant new life. We ought to walk in the newness of life.

III. Remember To Stand and to Hold Your Ground Hebrews 10:32-39

• Remember … you stood your ground/ fight. Greek word athlesis is where we get the word “athletics.” They have tasted and seen that the Lord is good; they have produced Fruit and have changed lives. Even in judgment and warning, God is there with His hands stretched out with comfort and encouragement that “you can do it.” So, do not be discouraged when life gets tough; hang on and in there. Jesus will get you through! Also, in context, is the importance of mutual faith and support to build up one another and persevere through tough times (Psalm 34:8).
• Face of suffering/endured hard struggle/afflictions/contest/conflict. This is set in athletic language as you are just about to finish a race but before it ends, you give up, when you could have made it and even won. You can do it!
• The Just Shall Live By Faith. Hebrews 10:38a
• This is the tittle of a great Trilogy in the New Testament In Paul's Writings, quoted from an old testament passage of Habakkuk.
• Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11
• Romans emphasizes “the just,” Galatians deals with “shall live,” and Hebrews centers on “by faith.”
• The secret of victory was in their faith and patience ( "courageous endurance")
• But If Any Man Draw Back. Hebrews 10:38b-39
• The believer who lives by faith will "go on to perfection" (Heb 6:1). But the believer who lives by sight will "draw back to perdition" (Heb 10:39).
• Perdition- The Greek word translated "perdition" is used twenty times in the New Testament and it is translated by different words: "perish" (Acts 8:20), die (Acts 25:16), "destruction" (Rom. 9:22), and "waste" (Matt. 26:8)
• A believer who does not walk by faith go back into their old ways of life and wastes their life.

Don Not be of those who draw back in the faith, or those who give up or fail to follow through with your commitment.
This is your life don't waste it.

The "saving of your soul" is the opposite of "waste". To live by faith is to obey God's word and Trust Jesus to be able to save your soul.
We must loose our life in Christ and then and only then will find true meaning, security and eternal life.
You must choose if your going to wander in the wilderness of waste or live confidently.
As we live by faith and walk with our Great Hight Priest Jesus we will be guided into perfection and life.