Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
This last was “Memorial Day” and Pastor Kyle began his sermon with the history of this American holiday. Memorial Day or Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May. In April 1865, following President Abraham Lincoln's assassination, commemorations were ubiquitous. The more than 600,000 soldiers of both sides who died in the Civil War meant that burial and memorialization took on new cultural significance. On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan issued a proclamation calling for "Decoration Day" to be observed annually and nationwide. We stand upon the brave soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and liberty; and are thankful. What can we do today to remember their sacrifice?
Romans 5:1-2“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Sacrifice is giving up something in order to gain something greater and maintaining that, therefore an investment. Investments are to see future benefits. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe that there is a higher citizenship in Heaven. We are the aliens in this world. This is not our home; Ambassadors and sojourners this side of eternity, leading others to the kingdom of God. Christians stand upon the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, taking upon Himself all the sins of the world. Nobody is perfect; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is dead. God is merciful and does not want to punish sin, but God is holy and just, so must punish sin.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Christians also stand upon the sacrifices of the saints (whose sanctified individuals that took a stand for the faith). They fought the “good” fight of the gospel to praise God. Yesterday was not too different than today. In Jesus’ time, Roman citizenship had benefits. Today, American citizenship has benefits. Heavenly citizenship has the ultimate benefits, saved and transformed by grace through faith. Even if our nation becomes hostile to God and Christianity, our highest citizenship is always in Heaven and our Christian sacrifices today may pave the way for the next generation. Because of the cross at Calvary, we have Divine love, joy, peace and forgiveness, so that we can endure earthly pain and release bitterness. We invest in Christ’s church and ministry. Nothing can take away our citizenship in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice was an investment.
In Christ, Brian
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