Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
1. Memorial day.
a. On Memorial day we traditionally look at the lives of others that have gone on before us. We remember the good and the bad and the outcome of the trials in their lives, but when others look back at our lives, What are we going to be remembered for.
Mt 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
b. As you look back apon this past year what have you done that is eternal.
2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
c. Are you leaving a legacy.
d. My Grandmother was laid to rest this weekend. Many nice things were said when reflecting apon her life. She was a woman that feared and loved God. She loved to talk and sew. I’m surprised that they didn’t just use her singer sewing machine as a headstone. When I get to heaven and get my robe of righteousness I’m going to look at the tag on the collar. I imagine that it will say “sewn with love, Ruth”.
e. What can we be remembered for.
Ro 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
2. Judge not a man by his actions, but by his re-actions.
a. My Dad was a great man for sayings.
b. I have tried to live this saying and watch for it in others.
c. God works through a man’s re-action to triumph or adversity.
d. We see it throughout the Bible in so many peoples reaction to either God’s call or from a good or bad situation.
e. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, John the Baptist, The woman at the well, the disciples, Paul, Luke, Didimus.
Conclusion:
Paul says that is we judge ourselves we should not be judged, but when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord so that the world should not condemn us. If we Look to live our life for others, we seek to leave a legacy for our children and friends, we fear God and love His son Jesus Christ, and we seek not to judge a man for what he is going through but by the way he handles it; next Memorial day perhaps, we should be better for God and each other.