Sermon Snippet – Rocks of Remembrance
INTRODUCTION – Many of us have already cleaned up family cemeteries or family plots in large cemeteries. Others of us will visit the gravesites of loved ones before the weekend is over. Our sense of loss is heightened at this time. It is good to have Biblical comfort and edification as we think of the people associated with memorial stones, with these rocks of remembrance.
1. GOD ESTABLISHED THE PRINCIPLE OF MEANINGFUL MEMORIALS
In Joshua 4:15-24, we find the account of the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites as they began the conquest of the Promised Land. They constructed a monument of “twelve stones” (verse 20). This physical structure had a powerful spiritual meaning. It was a record of God’s miraculous intervention (verse 23) and provided the basis for strong and specific instruction to reverence God (verse 24). Likewise, gravestones are a tangible reminder of real people: each memorial rock is a memory shock! Each Christian creates powerful memories for at least a few people, perhaps more. May it be that these remembrances will always point others to God.
2. HOWEVER, WE ARE SADLY CAPABLE OF CRUSHING OTHERS
In Acts 7:54-60, we read of the literal stoning of Stephen, slain for sharing the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son. The teaching of Jesus in John 8:1-11 is applicable to all people at all times: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (verse 7b). We can crush others by our cutting words and by our unkind actions. I have been particularly concerned about the load of fear that has been hurled upon our young people recently, and I remind you and myself that “our God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [self-discipline]” (II Timothy 1:7). Let us not place upon others what God will not.
3. THROUGH THIS “POWER” OF GOD, WE ARE ABLE TO HELP LIFT THE CRUSHING BURDENS FROM OTHERS
I think of the ministry of John the Baptist, who fulfilled Isaiah 40:3-5 (see Matthew 3:3). The imagery is of clearing the stones from a rocky roadway to prepare the path for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We have a similar work to do in leading people to the truth about Jesus: we are not to add obstacles. Furthermore, we are to actively assist others with their burdens. There is no contradiction in Galatians 6:2 and 5; different Greek words are employed, indicating that the onerous “burdens” of verse 2 are a shared responsibility, whereas the “burden” of verse 5 is the usual amount that each of us carries. May we heed this compassionate command of our Savior God.
CONCLUSION – In the classic allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, the Pilgrim (representing each Christian) comes to Mt. Calvary and is freed from the heavy burden that weighs him almost to the ground. In an extraordinary word picture, that burden falls off his back, rolls down the hill, and disappears – into the empty tomb of Jesus! May each one of us call upon Jesus for His salvation and be fully and freely forgiven forever. May we then cherish the memories of God’s good people, and may we lift burdens rather than load them.