Remembrance Sunday 2019

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. By your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves anew to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world, for the honour and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us stand:

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

Silence

Prayer

Gracious God, we pray for peace in your world: for all national leaders, that they may have wisdom to know and courage to do what is right; for all men and women, that their hearts may be turned to yourself in the search for righteousness and truth; for those who are working to improve international relationships, that they may find the true way of reconciliation; for those who suffer as a result of war: the injured and disabled, the mentally distressed, the homeless and hungry, those who mourn their dead, and especially for those who are without hope or friend to sustain them in their grief. God of grace, hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and the Saviour of the World.

HYMN: O God, our help in ages past

Prayer

O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.

All join together in the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father…

Reading and Sermon

2 Timothy 2:8–13 NKJV

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Do you ever have trouble remembering things? If you’re not sure, the answer is probably “yes.” Do you ever forget where you put your keys? Your wallet? Your debit card? Your glasses? Your mind?!

November is one of those months that we are to remember things:

Just this last week we had the fireworks, much to the disconcertion of our pets. It is supposed to be a day of celebration: ‘Remember, remember, the 5th of November’ - But what of the rest of the rhyme?

Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot. We see no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent To blow up king and parliament. Three score barrels were laid below To prove old England's overthrow.

By god's mercy he was catch'd With a darkened lantern and burning match. So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring. Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him? Burn him!

The infamous plot by Guido Fawkes to blow up parliament in 1605 and his discovery when the guards were informed that one of the MPs had been told to stay away on that day. If they had been successful they would have installed a Catholic King on the throne, overthrown parliament, the protestant reformation would have gone no further and we would not get the King’s best achievement which happened with his permission: The King James Bible.

Today, of course, is Remembrance Sunday which along with the 11th November are national Days of Remembrance for those who have lost their lives in service for our country. These men and women have given the ultimate gift, their lives, that we might have freedom. Even the freedom to gather together today in worship is a freedom that many Christians around the world do not enjoy. As citizens of Britain, along with our allies, it is good to have days like Remembrance Day to remind us to be thankful and to express gratitude to those who have served and are serving our country, and to their family: parents, children, and spouses who are left behind.

Now as Christians we are called to remember certain things as well:

Indeed, if we remember, pun intended, last Sunday’s sermon was about remembering Mary for anointing Jesus for burial with that very expensive perfume in the house of Simon the Leper. Indeed Jesus’ words were again fulfilled to the letter 2399 miles away from Jerusalem when we read the Gospels here last week when He said that wherever the gospel is preached what Mary did would be told and remembered.

However, it is one thing to forget what Mary did it is another to forget it was in response to her Saviour Jesus Christ. We are told above all not to forget Him and what He has done. And we are told throughout Scripture, especially in the Psalms, not to forget God:

Psalm 103:2 NKJV

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 105:5 NKJV

5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

And the Psalms criticism of those who do forget:

Psalm 78:11 NKJV

11 And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.

Psalm 106:21–22 NKJV

21 They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, Awesome things by the Red Sea.

Hosea 13:6 NKJV

6 When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me.

It seems that we are all terrible at remembering for we are all told to remember. We are told to remember because we easily forget but we are not left with the excuse of our bad memories. It is not good to forget God.

The lack of a long memory means that the lessons of history are not learned and the mistakes made are destined to be repeated again. One of the lessons that we have is that no matter how long there is peace war comes again and we should never rest on our laurels. As Scripture says:

1 Thessalonians 5:3 NKJV

3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

The good thing is that, as Christians, we do not have to worry for God is in control and whether we live or die it is for Christ.

But it is also good that God doesn’t remember everything either, which is just as well. How can it be that God forgets? …well, He is God and He deliberately forgets. What does He forget?

Hebrews 8:12 NKJV

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Now we turn to the passage that was read: In 2 Timothy 2:8–9, the apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to ‘remember’. As we reflect on this passage from God’s Word this morning, we see that we are called to remember five very important things.

1. To remember Jesus Christ: “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the Seed of David, Was Raised from the Dead” (v. 8).

The word “remember” is imperative; it’s a command, not a suggestion. The verb suggests continual action: “keep on continually, moment by moment, remembering.” Keep this in mind. We must never lose sight of the Person of Christ. The additional phrases heighten this emphasis for Jesus Christ was ‘raised from the dead’. Christ’s death was a death for sin. His death was a sacrifice. The greatest sacrifice in history. And His resurrection means that the penalty for sin is satisfied. This is why He can forget the evils we have done for the price has been paid in full. The phrase ‘the seed of David’ also speaks of Jesus’ humanity. Not long now before we will be remembering why we celebrate Christmas for He was born into this world as a baby, in the lineage of David. We are called to remember Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man, as One who is fully God, and yet fully human.

2. The Power of the Resurrection: “Raised from the Dead” (v. 8).

We are called to remember the power of the Resurrection. We know that some or all of life is not under our control and is unmanageable. Life is not always easy. We cannot possibly manage everything that life is going to throw at us. But we know One who can: God. And that is good news! We cannot control everything in life but God can! And that is good news! There is a new openness in people for many are admitting, “My life is in trouble.” I feel powerless to overcome a bad habit; I feel powerless in my relationships; I feel powerless to deal with my circumstances, unable to cope with stress! Life can get on top of us. What we need is a power greater than ourselves. We were never meant to live our lives just on our power and in our own strength; God wants to have a relationship with us! And we are reliant upon the power of the resurrection. What is incredible is that this same power lives in us:

Romans 8:11 NKJV

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We also have the hope of resurrection but in this life we know we need the power of God in us and through us and that is why Paul desires in

Philippians 3:10 NKJV

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

What does it say elsewhere?

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Jesus is at the right hand of God, He has given His Spirit to live in us. He is alive and ready to help us when we are in need. All we need do is turn to Him and He is an ever present help in our time of need.

3. The Promises of God: “The seed of David” (v. 8).

I mentioned a moment ago that this focuses on His humanity. We remember Jesus Christ as One who has walked on this earth, who knows and understands the struggles we face as we read in:

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Not only does the seed of David highlight Jesus’ humanity, it’s also Paul’s way of emphasising that Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised One, the Son of God. He is the fulfilment of the hopes and dreams, not only of Israel but of the whole world. As we read through the Gospels we are struck with a phrase over and over again: These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus first advent, all of which were at least 400 years before His birth, some well over 1500 years. We are called on to remember that this Jesus fulfilled every one of them literally and that every other prophecy about the future coming will also be fulfilled exactly as promised. He is trustworthy. He does what He promises. And the Bible is full of promises which we can hold onto.

4. The Priority of the Gospel: “… According to My Gospel, for Which I Suffer Trouble as an Evildoer, Even to the Point of Chains …” (vv. 8–9).

The gospel is the most important message in the world. Paul was willing to endure any hardship, any suffering, to share the gospel, because He remembered:

Ephesians 2:12–13 NKJV

12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We are to remember the priority of the gospel. Without the Gospel, without trusting in Jesus there is no hope, no Heaven. And all that has to happen is for us to receive the gift of salvation by trusting in His name.

5. The Paradox of Suffering: “… For Which I Suffer Even to the Point of Chained; but the Word of God Is Not Chained” (v. 9).

Paul affirmed that even though he was imprisoned, the Word of God was not imprisoned. The Roman government could not construct a prison that could contain the Word of God! The Word lives as a lamp to our feet, as a light to our path, as food for the hungry, as water for the thirsty, as rest for the weary, as salvation for the sinner, and grace for the Christian. God’s Word is not chained; the gospel is continuing to spread! Paul’s perspective allowed him to see the good coming out of his circumstances. A believer must look at the result of the adversity, not at the adversity itself. For Paul, the prison wasn’t a punishment for preaching the gospel but a platform for preaching it to new people! Oftentimes it is in the most difficult circumstances that God can do the most in us and through us.

Conclusion

Today we remember the sacrifice of those who have fought for our freedom. As believers, should we not present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice and say, “on behalf of a grateful sinner who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus”? Remember Jesus. Remember that God has provided for us a divine Companion, One who has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Remember that Jesus is a divine Friend, who understands what we feel and knows what we are going through. Remember that Jesus is an all-powerful Companion who can take you through a time of trial and suffering and work it out for His glory and for your good. Remember Jesus Christ! For He has done it all with the greatest of sacrifices, who died, then rose again from the dead and ascended back to His Father. He has won the victory, won the battle over our enemy and given us freedom. He has not forgotten us and will return to take us with Him to His heavenly home. So, let us not forget Him.

Benediction

God grant to the living grace, to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord, and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all and remain with you always. Amen.

Bibliography

Morgan, R. J. (2007). Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook (2007 Edition). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

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