I Remember

We have been preparing for the solemn occasion of remembering those who paid the ultimate price for their brothers or sisters. On numerous occasions, men and women have stepped up to serve Queen (and King) and country. They have donned the uniform of the Canadian Forces and voluntarily laid aside their civilian duties in order to assist those who are in need. Many of us know or are related to someone who has been or is a serving member of either the Canadian Forces or our Emergency Services. There are those who suggest that the act of Remembrance perpetuates the idea of war and suppression but I would suggest that we need to never forget the sacrifices and the services of those who willingly place themselves in harms way for the well-being of others.

John 15:12-15

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

Three things of note here. First of all, Jesus endorses defines loving each other. Love each other so much that their needs are more important than the needs of self. When this passage is spoken on, many look at the selflessness of this act of love but I would like you to consider the next sentence. We are friends of Christ and we are no longer servants. Servants are under the command of the master but a friend willingly steps up and steps out in love. Christ loves so much that He gave up His life for everyone of us and He did so willingly. This is an example for each of us and one that should never be forgotten. We must never forget the sacrifice of the Son for every child of God. The second we forget this, the message and importance of love and self-sacrifice is forgotten and we run into the chance of repeating the tragedies of the past.

This Sunday, please take time to pause at 11:00 AM and remember those who have or still are serving others around the world. We will be moving our service from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM so that we can gather with others to honour our veterans and our serving members.  We invite you to join us in person or online at 16:00 MST or you can watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd