\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload Audio\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\tby Garry Floyd<\/p>\nScripture Reading: <\/strong>“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
\n– The Gospel of John 15:13\nIntroduction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Read the Story of<\/strong> Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy<\/strong>\n
\n- More than 1.2 million\u00a0U.S. military members have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1775.<\/li>\n
- This includes over 646,000 who died in combat and more than 539,000 who died from other causes, such as disease and accidents, while in active service.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Memorial Day<\/strong> is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and sober reflection.<\/li>\n
- We honor those<\/strong> who willingly stood in harm’s way for others.<\/li>\n
- The warrior ethos<\/strong>-courage, sacrifice, discipline, loyalty-can reflect biblical virtues when surrendered to God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Key Question: <\/strong>What does Scripture teach about the heart of a righteous warrior?<\/p>\n\n- God Recognizes the Calling of the Warrior<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\n- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8 – “To everything there is a season… a time for war, and a time for peace.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Supporting Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Romans 13:4<\/strong> – governing authority “does not bear the sword in vain.”\n
\n- Scripture does not glorify violence, but it recognizes the necessity of protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Luke 3:14<\/strong> – John the Baptist speaks to soldiers without condemning honorable service.\n
\n- Warriors can serve as defenders of the innocent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- I Samuel 17<\/strong> – David confronts Goliath to defend God’s people.\n
\n- Courage is not aggression; courage is obedience despite fear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Honor veterans and fallen service members without idolizing war itself.<\/li>\n
- Pray for military families and those carrying invisible wounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- The Biblical Warrior Ethos: Strength Under Control<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Micah 6:8 <\/strong>– “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”<\/p>\nSupporting Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior…”<\/li>\n
- James 1:19-20 “Be quick to HEAR, slow to SPEAK, and slow to ANGER\n
\n- A godly warrior is disciplined<\/strong> – strength restrained by character.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- II Timothy 2:3-4 “Endure hardship… like a good soldier.”\n
\n- A godly warrior is faithful<\/strong> – committed to duty and truth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Ephesians 6:10-18 – Armor of God<\/strong>.\n
\n- Compare earthly armor with the Armor of God:\n
\n- Helmet protects the mind \u2192 salvation.<\/li>\n
- Shield protects the body \u2192 faith.<\/li>\n
- Sword \u2192 God’s Word, not hatred.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Nehemiah 4:14 – A godly warrior is protective<\/strong> – defending the weak and vulnerable.<\/li>\n
- I Samuel 17: 47 – A godly warrior is humble<\/strong> – aware that ultimate victory belongs to God.<\/li>\n
- John 15:12-13 – A godly warrior is sacrificial<\/strong> – willing to serve others at personal cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
III. Christ Redefines Victory<\/strong><\/p>\nPhilippians 2:5-11 – Jesus demonstrated the greatest warrior ethos through sacrificial love.<\/p>\n
Supporting Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Isaiah 53:1-8<\/strong> – the suffering servant.\n
\n- The cross looked like defeat but became an eternal victory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Revelation 19:11-16<\/strong> – Christ as righteous King.\n
\n- Christ conquered sin not through domination, but sacrifice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Matthew 5:9<\/strong> – “Blessed are the peacemakers…”\n
\n- The highest form of strength is love willing to suffer for others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Memorial Day Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Fallen warriors remind us that freedom costs something.<\/li>\n
- Christ reminds us that salvation costs everything.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Remember the Fallen – Live Worthy of Their Sacrifice<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Hebrews 12:1-2 – Look to Jesus and KNOW that YOU are ABLE!<\/p>\n
Supporting Scriptures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Joshua 4:1-7 – memorial stones of remembrance.\n
\n- Remembrance should produce gratitude<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”\n
\n- Gratitude should produce responsibility<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Galatians 5:13 – “Use your freedom to serve one another.”\n
\n- Freedom should produce righteousness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Application Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Are we living in a way worthy of the sacrifices made for us?<\/li>\n
- Are we protecting truth, family, faith, and neighbor?<\/li>\n
- Are we building peace in our homes and communities?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Conclusion: The Final Call<\/strong><\/p>\nI Corinthians 16:13-14<\/p>\n
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love<\/em>.”<\/p>\nFinal Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Courage without love becomes brutality.<\/li>\n
- Love without courage becomes weakness.<\/li>\n
- In Christ, strength and compassion meet perfectly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Suggested Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Thank God for fallen service members.<\/li>\n
- Pray for veterans, active-duty personnel, widows, and families.<\/li>\n
- Ask God to raise up men and women of courage, integrity, humility, and peace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Download Audio by Garry Floyd Scripture Reading: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – The Gospel of John 15:13 Introduction Read the Story of Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy More than 1.2 million\u00a0U.S. military members have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1775.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[1901,790,1458],"class_list":["post-95790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-cost","tag-freedom","tag-remembering"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31874,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-you-support-conscientious-objection\/","url_meta":{"origin":95790,"position":0},"title":"Do you support conscientious objection?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 19, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Do you or your church support selective conscientious objection and conscientious objection? 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