May 27, 2007

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Scripture KJV

Reverend David S. Huffer

Westwood Baptist Church - 2124 Davis Road
 Waynesboro, VA

Esther
9:28     

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

- Memorial Day

 

The Generation That Saved The World – Memorial Day 2007

Esther 9:28

 

What would it take for this generation to save the world?

·           Is it a question that is far removed from our thoughts?

·           Who would save the world? YOU?  ME?

·           Or the two of us combined with the efforts of thousands of others?

 

Throughout history we read about the historic efforts on the parts of individuals, as well as nations to save others.

·           But – do we really understand what it was for them to act in such a way to save and preserve life?

 

This weekend in May is called “Memorial Day.”

·           Unfortunately it has become a day that marks the beginning of summer – much like Labor Day marks its end.

FRIENDS - I fear we have forgotten what it is really about!

·           It is designed to be a day set aside by our nation to commemorate the lives of men and women who have been killed in war and to decorate their graves.

·           In talking with a veteran about the WWII War Memorial he stated, “Can you imagine this country today mobilizing like it did during WWII? Can you imagine our women today going off to work in a factory to support our troops? This is the generation that saved the world.”

 

“The Generation That Saved The World” – I am intrigued at such a thought.

·           What would possess  generation of people to take up such a task?

·           Perhaps the tyranny of evil and its advancements would stir a generation to such action.

·           Edmund Burke – “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

 

FRIENDS – Mix that with a strong belief for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (We call it freedom)

·           These may well be what possessed a generation’s heart to save the world

Would we as a generation of this great nation – AMERICA – that is promoted as a “God-fearing and Christian – One Nation under God” … would we take on such a task in a spiritual savvy so as to save the world?

 

AND IF SO – WHAT WOULD BE OUR COMPULSION?

Should it be the tyranny of evil in the heart of man to be overcome by the call to liberty in Jesus Christ?

·           Esther 4:4 - In the days of Persian rule, in the Old Testament, a young girl that would become the Queen was asked, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

·           The tyranny of an evil man threatened so many. It was not a time to relax … eat, drink, and be merry … but a time to act as so divinely purposed.

FRIENDS – Have we as a generation of believers become “AT EASE” with the advancing evils of our day that persuade hearts away from their Creator?

·           Matthew 11:16 – “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions.”

·           Let us not become such a generation! Let it not be said of us that we are playing games like children out on a playground.

FRIENDS - Let us be compelled to act in compliance with our Commander and Chief – Jesus Christ – to stand up and tell up.

·           Esther – stood and told – and the result was godly purposed

·           She saved a nation of people – God’s people

·           Esther 9:28 - And to set apart a time of commemoration was called for each coming generation

 

Would we get up and tell up to save the world?

 

AND IF SO, WHAT WOULD BE OUR OPERATION?

Mobilization was a key element to the victory in WWII.

·           From sea to shining sea … of home to the shores of Tripoli …. Body, mind and soul were mobilized to the task at hand.

Sandy Thompson Eskew – “When war came it made profound changes in American life. Millions departed for the services. Millions more left their pleasant hometowns to live in drab rooms in hostile war-boom cities. The stream of women

·           entering the labor force rose to a flood crest of almost 18 million. Well-fed Americans had their menus curtailed by food rationing. A people accustomed to going everywhere by car had to get used to gasoline rationing. A populace inured to waste was asked to save tin cans and had to put up with city-wide dim-outs to conserve power.

·           Despite petty annoyances and profound upheavals, for most Americans on the home front – the war years were a time of achievement as well as anxiety.  For during those years of total war, there was scarcely a man, woman, or child who was not contributing to the national goal some way.”

FRIENDS – Our operation as Christians is not based upon the gallant efforts of one or two, but upon the many, the all … each contributing to the goal … salvation of souls … in some way.

 

READ ROMANS 12:4-9 – BLACK RIBBON

 

QUESTION – Will we be “immobilized” to the threat of the tyranny of evil – or will we mobilize together to be the generation that saves the world?

 

AND IF SO, WHAT WILL BE OUR HOPE?

A. The hope for freedom goes beyond the boundaries of nationalities and land mass.

·           It calls for the courage to stretch and reaches out to all who are caught in the grip of the tyranny of evil.

·           Yes – To those who are its victims as well as its perpetrator – it is time for hope – not failure!

 

FRIENDS – Are we not faced with a historic challenge to change the world as we know it?

·           Do you and I as a generation offer hope to the next that delivers the soul and elevates life above an earthly realm?

 

READ ROMANS 5:5-11

 

B. Our Hope is to set free the oppressed

Proverbs 30:11-14 – “There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. There is a

generation; oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

 

FRIENDS – Are we to give up on such generations?

·           Leaving them caught in the vices of the tyranny of evil?

·           Or will you and I be mobilized with an operation of hope?

1 Peter 2:9-10 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

 

Do we have the hope to be the generation that saves the world?

 

CLOSE

FRIENDS - We can only imagine what the world might have been if a generation had not risen to the compulsion – operation - and hope to save the world from the evils that filled the hearts of men.

 

In a like manner, we can only imagine what the world will be if we as a generation do not rise up with compulsion to operate in the Hope of the Gospel to set free men and women from the evil that evades heart and life.

 

As we grow older, we are tempted to become more preoccupied with the past than the future.

·           I have tried to resist this but without complete success.

TODAY – Let us not forget – but remember all who have given their life so that you and I might live in freedom.

·           But God help us as this generation – not to let others die and remain forever unmarked by the grace of God.

 

Galatians 5:13 – “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 

AMEN!

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