As I write this it is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Let’s look at a few passages of Scripture that give us God’s perspective on valuing other so highly that saving one’s own life is secondary.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down
his life for his friends.
Things to think about:
· On Memorial Day we take time
to recall their selflessness, service, and sacrifice
o
Putting others before ourselves
o
Taking action
o
Stopping at nothing to fulfill one’s calling
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Why do we find these qualities so admirable?
· Is there
someone in your family or close circle who didn’t come home from military
service?
o
If so, is there a tradition or something you do to honor his/her
memory?
· The Bible
tells us of several souls who gave their lives for their faith
o
Stephen, James the brother of John, John the Baptist, and of
course, Jesus
o
I’m not sure about James but the record is clear with the other
three that they gave their lives willingly, knowing full well what was going to
happen
o
Tradition holds that all of the apostles except for John died a
martyr’s death
· In John
15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down his life for
his friends.”
o
Jesus calls us His friends here!
· 1 John 3:16 –
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And
we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
o
The very definition of love from the Word of God is laying down
one’s life for the good of others.
§ That is such
an amazing truth that it is beyond my comprehension.
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God doesn’t ask us to do anything He hasn’t already done for us to
the highest degree.
§ How does
Jesus’ model motivate you?
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In our modern world, how might laying down your life take shape?
· Mark 10:45 –
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His
life as a ransom for many.”
o
Jesus was very intentional about His life’s purpose
o
If you could make one change that allowed you to serve others more
fully, what might that look like?
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