This Memorial Day I want us to remember the sacrifices made for us.

                    Our nation is a divided nation.  There are many who believe that our country is best viewed in light of the unity of nations.  In a time of global economics, global terrorism, global interests, our nation, according to them, is best served in unity and under the umbrella of global government.  They view international law, international opinion, international consensus is instrumental in the future of our country.

                    There are others who seek to protect the sovereignty of our country. They believe that patriotism and love of our country are very important.  They believe that America first ought to be the concern of every citizen.

                    There are others who think that portraying Americans as best,  Americans as special borders on great arrogance.  They would say that national pride is denying the equality of all people.  They would tell us that America is no more special than any other country, that in many respects we may be worse.

                    I want us to remember this fact today.  Our soldiers are fighting and sacrificing their lives for all Americans, preserving our freedom to disagree, preserving our freedom to be wrong, preserving our freedom to love or hate our own country.

                    When we think that our young people who are fighting hold many of the diverse opinions that others share, and yet are willing to fight for the freedom to express them, we admire them all the more.

                    We have young people in our own communities that have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanastan.  Sargent Michael D. Jones from Unity, Staff Sergeant Lynn R. Poulin from Freedom, Specialist Thomas J. Dostie of Somerville are three men in our area who have lost their lives.

                    We think this Memorial Day of the sadness their families must feel.  These holidays remind them of their loss.  We think of the families who have loved ones in danger zones.  This day for them as well is a time for patriotic celebration, but also a reminder that in war, some die.

                    The Christian faith also has those who have died for the sake of the gospel.  We think of Martin Burnham who died in the Phillipines on June 7th, 2002 in a botched rescue attempt.  Or we think of  Nate Saint,  Ed McCully, Jim Elliot, and Peter Fleming who died at the hands of the Auca Indians on January 8th, 1956 in Ecuador. 

                    In October of 1536  William Tyndale, one of the first to translate the Bible into the English language, was tied to a cross, strangled by an iron chain and burned.

                    On July 6, 1415, John Hess was burned at the stake because he taught that the Bible had greater authority than the church leaders. 

                    Then we look at James.

                    1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Ac 12:1 -3).

                    And at Stephen.

                    54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Ac 7:54 -60).

                    But the one we remember most is Jesus Christ.   Peter, in a sermon, says these words, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. (Ac 4:10). 

                    There was a physical healing. Peter did not want to receive credit for it.  He couldn’t heal anyone.  So he invokes the name of a man who had died just a few months previously in Jerusalem.  He invokes the name of Jesus.  Jesus, the one they crucified, the one that God raised from the dead, that Jesus was responsible for the healing.

                    Because of the cross there is a spiritual healing that takes place as well.  When Isaiah says, “By whose stripes you are healed” he is speaking, not of physical healing in that verse, but spiritual healing.  We are all spiritually sick, separated from God, in need of spiritual help.

                    Jesus died for our sin, placing himself on the cross, so that we could be saved or delivered from our sin.  His death was our death.  He paid the penalty for us.  His burial was our burial.  The old life is dead and buried.  His resurrection is our resurrection.  We are given a new life, eternal life, through faith in Jesus Christ.

                    We honor our veterans who have given us our freedom at the cost of their own lives.   We honor Christians who have died for the faith, so convinced of God’s love and our need for Jesus, that they were wiling to die so that we could live.  We honor and love Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.  We remember him and praise Him for all he has done

                 And we celebrate one death even above the death of Jesus.  That is the death of the old life.  We have a promise that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  Old Things have passed away, behold all things have become new.”