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The Value Of A Memorial Day
“Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it. To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of.” 1 Peter 2:6 MSG
Memorial Day is set aside each year to remember those who gave their lives in battle for our freedom. Sometime, we also call it Decoration Day because the graves are decorated with flags and flowers. When Israel finally crossed over the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to pile up a mound of stones as a memorial of God’s greatness and compassion.
Read: Joshua 4:1-24
I. vs.6,7 Why Memorials?
* because we have short memories
* I write things down so I don’t forget- then can’t find the paper !
Deuteronomy 6:12-15 beware lest you forget the Lord
* often when the danger is past, we tend to forget who helped us
* families use photo albums as a remembrance of activities
* Bible picture books are used to teach children Bible stories
* for Israel, stones served as a means to teach their children
Matthew 5:14-16 do not hide the testimony God has given you
* we are to be a witness to a lost and dying world around us
Philippians 2:15,16 shine as lights in a world
II. vs.8,9 Memorials Are Enduring
* pile of stones were meant to be an enduring testament to God
* consider the many memorials in Washington, D.C.
Proverbs 22:28 these landmarks are not to be removed
* however, America has removed from our schools:
prayer, Bible reading in class, Ten Commandments, holidays
* our personal testimony ought to have a clear meaning to others
* we should speak of the might hand of God had changing our lives
III. Christian Memorial Stones
* Baptism- Romans 6:4,5 it is a witness of a newness in Christ
* Church Family- 1 Peter 2:9 show forth the praises of who called
* Communion / Lord’s Supper- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
* Our Lives- 1 Peter 2:5 we are a spiritual house
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