During World War 1 on October 8, 1918, in France, Alvin C York faced machine gun nests alone. A devout Christian and crack shot, he killed 25 enemy soldiers and captured 132 more with just a rifle and pistol. His actions crippled a German regiment and turned the tide near Argonne. York was labeled a hero.
So, what makes someone a hero? According to the dictionary (Miriam Webster) a hero is: an illustrious warrior or soldier, a person who shows great courage or a person admired for achievements and noble qualities.
Sargeant York made it back home to live out his life- but many, many men and women over the last 250 years of United States History did not make it home. That’s what Memorial Day – is all about. Remembering those that fought and never made it back. Honoring those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The total number of men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and fully for freedom according to 2025 statistics are: 1,213,336. What can we say- we can honor and remember them. We can enjoy and be grateful for the freedoms that they died preserve. And coming up in July, we’ll celebrate our nation’s 250 birthday and it has come with a cost!
Many have given their lives for you and I to enjoy the freedoms we have. This past Sunday was also a day of remembrance in the church- remembering the power of the Holy Spirit and remembering the beginning of the church. The church that Jesus said would be built on the lives of the apostles as they gave their all for the gospel. We often consider Jesus sacrifice, He gave His life as a ransom for many- John 15:13 says, “13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
God demonstrated His love for you, His love for me- while you were, while I was still a sinner, a stranger, an enemy, He died for you and He died for ME!!! Our men and women that enter the military take that oath too- to be willing to give their lives for the people they don’t know, but it doesn’t matter if they know them- it’s their duty, and their commitment.
For the early church- for all those that have gone before- many prophets, many apostles, many men and women of faith since the very beginning of time have paid the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life because of their faith! We are all called to surrender- to die to self- to be ready to let go and let God!
I want to focus on the unnamed heroes of Hebrews 11. The men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 are what heroes are made of! The men and the women that gave their lives for the gospel. The men and women that persevered, that had wisdom and were good, courageous and selfless. The men and women that were leaders- and gave their very lives to the service of God- for the sake of the gospel of God. Much like the soldiers that went into conflicts and wars knowing the possible cost, so many of the saints in our history also knew the cost and answered the call.
There is a cost in following Jesus. The cost of following God is not a simple nor easy life. Verse 35 of Hebrews 11 begins with: “others were tortured- and still refused to turn from God in order to be free.” They did not take the easy way out. The refused to recant their faith. The said- we believe, no matter what the cost! That’s courage. That’s selflessness. That’s hanging on no matter what! They placed their HOPE in a better life after the resurrection. They counted the cost;
C – Courageous – Because God’s calling can be unnerving; even daunting. They had courage even in the midst of terrific odds- and they kept their faith in God and took the next step. You and I will never attempt great things for God or see God do great things if we are not courageous.
O – Obedience – Because only God knows the final outcome. You must simply follow in faith.
S – Sacrifice – Because obeying God demands something of us; it requires something from us. Jesus said that we were to love Him with all of our heart, all of our soul and all of our strength. That word ALL is pretty amazing- it’s short and sweet and easy to understand “ALL” We are called, to put our faith totally in Jesus Christ! We are to surrender ALL to Him and allow Him to do what He wants with us. We are called to surrender completely to His will and control
Once we surrender and pick up our cross in obedience we need to be tenacious. We have to stick to it. Jesus never said the journey would be short or easy or simple- He only said pick it up and get going!
T – Tenacity – Because obeying God is not easy and leads to service. Once we get our ‘marching orders’ we’ve got to keep going. The Christian faith is a marathon- not a sprint.
When we look at our military - we see that same tenacity- keeping going despite the hardship. Saving lives while under fire, taking out machine gun embankments until they all surrendered, going back for the rest of the wounded- many died heroes. They had counted the cost and kept on going! These heroes are our examples.
Our freedom in Christ also came with a COST- the lives of the prophets and apostles and every martyr since.
You are I are to count the COST.
• Courage -live by faith not by sight
• Obedience - follow Jesus
• Sacrifice- pick up your cross
• Tenacity – don’t quit! Keep on keeping on!
Are you willing to give your ALL? Will you be counted among the heroes of faith?
