Memorial Day and living sacrificially

Memorial Day weekend is here! Many celebrate graduations and the end of another school year. Others anticipate the beginning of summer, including VBS, mission trips, camps and, perhaps even, vacation.

And of course, Monday is our opportunity to remember the fallen. As we enjoy freedom and outdoor activities, we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are thankful for the brave men and women who served our country in the armed forces and laid their lives down in honor. We dare not take that for granted!

As Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another, he stated that there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends. Ultimately, Jesus modeled this love, not only by laying down his life, but by doing it even for those who had turned their backs on Him.

What grandiose love is ours in Christ! We dare not take our salvation and all of its blessings for granted. It is free to us, but it cost the most precious life of God’s Son. Furthermore, it compels us to live by laying down our lives in service for His sake!

Last week, I had the honor of representing Texas Baptists in Memphis, Tennessee, on the date and time that marked the 100th year anniversary of when the Cooperative Program was established in that very city. 

State Convention executive directors, SBC entity leaders and pastors prayed together, and we signed a Declaration of Cooperation, celebrating the past and committing to generous giving for the sake of the Great Commission in the future.

The Cooperative Program was birthed at a time when the Southern Baptist Convention and its entities were struggling financially. It was later, in that same decade, that the U.S. experienced the Great Depression. Those were not easy times! Yet what started then continues today.

Over the last century, thousands of churches have been started, thousands of missionaries have been sent, thousands of ministers have received theological education, multitudes have experienced God’s love through healing and compassion ministries and millions have come to the knowledge of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

This has been possible because Baptists and Baptist churches have been generous with their finances. Giving to God’s mission through the Cooperative Program has often been done sacrificially. Individuals and congregations have sometimes deprived themselves of things in order to contribute to the work of the Kingdom.

The One who gave his life as a sacrifice is worthy! As we consider the ultimate sacrifice over this weekend, may we reflect on our opportunity to lay down our lives in service and generosity for the sake of the King!

The advancement of the kingdom in our day requires our living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Our time, our efforts, our abilities, our influence, our finances for Him. For those without Christ in Texas. For those who are broken and in need of healing around the world. For the sake of the Great Commission, let’s live out the Great Commandment!

What does it require of you and your church today?