During this time of year you cannot help but think about the freedom we have. Tomorrow (Remembrance Day) at the “The Rock” we will be talking about the cloud of witnesses who have gone on before us. We will remember because it is very easy to forget about them and loose sight of their victories that has given us our freedom. . We will not just be looking at veterans but those saints in the church who from the beginning laid down their lives so we may worship as we do today. People who walked with Jesus, like my Grandparents who prayed everyday, people who came to this country to proclaim the gospel at the risk of sickness and death. Missionaries who went out from this country knowing they would not return. People who have stood boldly for the cross down through the centuries to the point of death, have given us hope. We are free because someone laid down their lives for us. It is very easy to walk in freedom and ignorance at the same time. If we forget the sacrifices made, it almost negates the sacrifice. Many men and women have laid down their lives so that we might be free. Many have died for their countries over the centuries because they were committed and obedient to the cause. We also need to remember the many living who are willing to lay down their lives for their country and for freedom. This is happening at this very moment all around the world. This does not only apply to war but also applies to the church. We have been asked to lay down our lives for Jesus Christ. Most importantly we need to remember the atoning sacrifice Jesus made for us. This was the greatest sacrifice for freedom ever made. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” When we accept this sacrifice we are free even from death. No one can ever take that away. The enemy cannot stand against us. No government or leader other that Jesus Christ can give you that promise. Our scripture tomorrow will be from Hebrews 10-12. Hebrews 10 states, “26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
We cannot forget the sacrifice for freedom of those who have gone on before us. In your freedom do not be ignorant as to how you received that freedom. Remember the lives of soldiers, missionaries and prayer warriors who have gone on before us as a great cloud of witnesses. Freedom should never be taken lightly.
