Scripture Mark 2:1-12
We
celebrate our nation’s independence from an overlord – King George of England.
We celebrate our soul’s independence from an overlord – Satan & the sin he induces.
I can
hardly believe anyone fought for our nation’s independence when you consider
how poorly our soldiers were trained, equipped and prepared against the massive
wat machine of Great Britain.
The Continental Army was established by the Second
Continental Congress after the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and
Concord and predates George
Washington’s assumption of command
outside of Boston in July 1775. Most men who served in the
Continental Army were between the ages of 15 and 30. Those who served in the
Army were merchants, mechanics, and farmers. By 1780, close to 30,000 men
served in the Continental Army.
A private in the Continental Army
earned $6.23 per month and pay would increase upon promotion of rank. Sometimes
a promotion in rank brought an increase in pay or food rations.
Life in the Continental Army was difficult. It was
mundane and monotonous. Generally, when not engaged in combat, soldiers in the
Continental Army served three duties: manual labor, such as digging latrines,
clearing fields, or erecting fortifications. They also served on guard duty and
drilled daily with their musket and in marching formations.
Reveille was typically at daybreak and soldiers cooked
one meal per day, generally around 3:00 pm. Whatever food was left over from
the meal, soldiers divided and placed in their haversacks to be consumed as
needed. Rations were determined by Congress. Each man received 1.5 pounds of
meat per day. Each hunk they received included not only the meat, but bone,
fat, and gristle. They also received one pound of bread per day.
Soldiers also received two ounces of spirits a day to be
added to the water in their canteens to kill bacteria that could be found
floating in the water.
When on the march, the typical soldier in the Continental
Army carried forty-five pounds of gear. This included, when he was properly
supplied, his weapon, haversack, knapsack, and other accoutrements including a
bayonet, tin cup, bowl, spoon, cartridge box, canteen, and if lucky an extra
blanket, shirt, or writing paper and a pen. Supply problems constantly plagued
the Continental Army, and often men simply made do with whatever arms and
equipment they could bring from home.
When drilling with the musket, men were pushed in
training to fire four rounds per minute or one every 15 seconds. African
Americans did serve in the ranks of
the Continental Army and General James Mitchell Varnum petitioned Congress to
permit integration. Thus some fighting units were integrated. This would not
happen again until 1950, when the US Army fought in Korea.
Sanitation was a significant concern in the Continental
Army. Even though information about hygiene in the 18th century was limited
compared to what we know today, the results of poor sanitation were well
understood. For each soldier killed in combat, nine died of disease, mostly
attributed to a lack of sanitation.
The biggest frustration for Continental Army soldiers was
the ineffectiveness of Congress and the lack of support they received from the
political body that espoused the same cause. Mutiny at times raised its head.
However, when this was about to happen, they were able to
remember their cause. Not remembering something from the past but remembering what
was before them. They remembered that they and their children had a hope for a
better future. They no longer needed to be overtaxed by England and no longer
had to be badly treated by a tyrant king. They remembered they were becoming
part of and fighting for a new nation that would be radically different from
anything the world had even known.
In light of the experience of these amazing men who became soldiers for a cause, let us hear the word of God:
2 Timothy
2:1-16
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as
a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs — he wants to please his commanding
officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the
victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking
farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I
am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended
from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of
being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I
endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the
salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he
cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
What is the word of truth? The Bible! God’s word! The
words of Jesus!
Before
I share of few of the words of Jesus, let me ask, have you ever felt like you
are in a battle in your life for the cause of Christ? Has Satan, the tyrant
king, ever tried to make you feel unworthy of the love of God? Have you ever
doubted that God could love you because you know you are not living exactly
like you should?
Let’s consider why we might not live
for Christ the way we should.
1) Human nature is self centered.
2) We are not well educated.
3) We are not well equipped
4) We are not well supported5)
All of these things were said of the continental army. Just like them, when we are not winning the war, we are not living as we should, we are down-discouraged-depressed, we need to REMEMBER. Not remember what was (only) but remember the hope we have of the new world we are fighting for.
Remembrance
of the past can be important – like the Hebrews remembering the story of the
Passover. (describe the Passover)
How
much more important to remember the one who said the following: Luke 22:10
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
I served in the
United States Army from 1963 to 1966, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, in a
portion of 1965 and 1966. When I think of those days, the training that we
endured and the discipline that was required, I note that very little
discipline exists in the average Christian that is required to be a soldier. As
Army soldiers, we were put through physical, mental and emotional training. The
hours were long and so at night I would fall into bed and go to sleep before my
head hit the pillow. But, it all paid off when the time came to be in a war
zone. The discipline and training seemed unnecessary, but it was apparent why
this was so important once we landed in the middle of the Vietnam conflict.
Think of the
fact that Timothy was told by the Apostle Paul that living the Christian life
is tantamount to being a soldier. He did not mean that Christians are to
physical fight the enemy, but that we are to grow and and be tough in our
commitment and discipline so that we might endure all the the devil throws at
us. To be a Christian is to be obedient to the Commander, the Captain of our Salvation,
Jesus Christ. I pray that we will make a new commitment of our lives to be
dedicated soldiers of the cross in this service today.
“During the War
Between the States", writes Gary Redding, "a Union solder from Ohio
was shot in the arm during of the battle of Shiloh. His captain saw he was
wounded and barked an order: 'Gimme your gun, private, and get to the rear!’
The private handed over his rifle and ran toward the north, seeking safety. But
after covering two or three hundred yards, he came upon another skirmish. Then
he ran to the east and into another part of the battle. Then he ran west but
encountered more fighting there. Finally, he ran back to the front lines,
shouting: 'Gimme back my gun, cap'n. There ain't no rear to this battle!’ When
it comes to spiritual warfare, ‘there ain't no rear!’”
PRESSING ON
In a far country lived a band of minstrels who traveled from
town to town presenting music to make a living. They had not been doing well.
Times were hard; there was little money for common folk to come to hear the
minstrels, even though their fee was small. Attendance had been falling off, so
early one evening the group met to discuss their plight. “I see no reason for
opening tonight,” one said. “To make things even worse than they may have been,
it is starting to snow. Who will venture out on a night like this?” “I agree,”
another disheartened singer said. “Last night we performed for just a handful.
Fewer will come tonight. Why not give back their meager fees and cancel the
concert? No one can expect us to go on when just a few are in the audience.”
“How can anyone do his best for so few?” a third inquired. Then he turned to
another sitting beside him. “What do you think?” The man appealed to was older
than the others. He looked straight at his troupe. “I know you are discouraged.
I am too. But we have a responsibility to those who might come. We will go on.
And we will do the best job of which we are capable. It is not the fault of
those who come that others do not. They should not be punished with less than
the best we can give.” Heartened by his words, the minstrels went ahead with
their show. They never performed better. When the show was over and the small
audience gone, the old man called his troupe to him. In his hand was a note,
handed to him by one of the audience just before the doors closed behind him.
“Listen to this, my friends!” Something electrifying in his tone of voice made
them turn to him in anticipation. Slowly the old man read: “Thank you for a
beautiful performance.” It was signed very simply-“Your King.”
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