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Sermon
of 05-04-02
Remember the Alamo
by Dr. David A. Farmer, pastor
1 Tim. 6:12: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
Being born and raised a Texan, unless you are from Texas, you may not understand that we Texans take a lot of pride in our home state. You probably know by now that since I'm a Texan, I like to tell stories about the great Lone Star State. And one story I have always found impressive is the story of the Alamo in San Antonio, TX. The story of the Alamo is a stirring experience to understand.
Some of you know that the 8th grade class trip we just took was to the Alamo and San Antonio. In order to write this sermon and the chapter in my 1st book, I had to do a lot of research. Research into those infamous fateful 13 days in late February and early March of 1836.
The name "Alamo" comes from a Spanish word meaning "Cottonwood." The construction on the Alamo started in 1718 and was completed in 1727. Shortly after Mexico had won her independence from Spain Texas sought her independence from Mexico in 1835. In 1836 General Santa Anna gave an ordered to liquidate the Texans at any cost. But inside the Alamo were 189 patriots who valued freedom more than life itself. There were brave men were from Gonzales, Texas. David Crockett, who my Aunt Ruby named me after and his "Tennessee Boys" were also there. Crockett and his men owned nothing in Texas, and owed nothing to Texas. There were men and women from all over the country that Texas didn't have a thing to offer, nothing that is but freedom.
These 189 men for 12 days withstood the onslaught of a Mexican army, which ultimately numbered over 4,000. History books record that Colonel William Travis took his sword on the 12th day and drew a line on the ground. In a trembling voice he described the hopelessness of their plight. He said to those there, "Those prepared to give their lives in freedom's cause, come over to me." Without hesitation, every man, but one, crossed over the line. Stricken with pneumonia even Colonel James Bowie asked to have his cot carried over the line.
Then on the morning of March 6th, the 13th day, the bugles of the Mexican soldiers sounded attack. Even though their ammunition and supplies were all but exhausted, the men inside the Alamo were determined to take on the Mexican army.
Those that died that day defending the Alamo died believing they had lost the battle. They fought against all odds. They fought although everything appeared to be in vain.
What many today do not know today is that a victory for the Alamo came some 41 days later on April 21. There where some 800 volunteers led by General Sam Houston who launched a furious attack on the Mexican army at San Jacinto. As they fought, they shouted, "Remember the Alamo!" They wanted everyone to remember the brave men who gave their lives for freedom just a month before.
As Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story because that is where the expression "Remember the Alamo" came from. These brave men fought for Texas' freedom and for those who died inside the Alamo believing they had lost.
Well, you ask, Pastor, what does this have to do with our scripture this morning? Let's return to our scripture. And let's allow the Bible to answer that question for us. 1 Tim. 6:12:
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
Paul tells us to "fight" to gain victory. So we "fight" against all odds. But many times it appears we fight a battle that is impossible to win. But Paul says here that victory is the sure result of determined perseverance. And he instructs us to keep on fighting, fighting until we grasp the reward "eternal life".
But lets face facts; it appears that as we fight against sin we believe we have lost because we see no immediate victory. We ask God to give us victory over sin. But at times it almost seems that we are fighting a losing battle. But folks the truth is we have already won. Jesus has already fought the battle and has won for us! We may feel we may never see the triumph but the Bible says it's already there. All we must do is accept the fact that the battle has been fought and victory has been purchased. Let me give you a personal experienced as an example of what I'm trying to say.
I was giving an evangelistic series in Iowa in 1993. We had many members and non-members attending nightly. The meetings were to last for 4 weeks but I had only advertised for 2 weeks. By the time the 1st two weeks were up, we had lost almost every non-member. It was harvest time and the farmers had to tend to their crops. Although I completely understood, I was very disappointed.
But there was one man that did not farm. In fact, he didn't even have a job at the time. He had recently gone through a bad divorce. He had lost his job, home, family and by this time was hurting badly. Joe knew very little about the SDA Church. But one area he quickly noticed right away was that we were loving people. We loved him for who he was. It didn't matter that he was a man without a job and had very little to offer. It didn't matter that he had recently gone through a divorce. He was a child of God and the members treated him like that. To this day I still believe that is what kept him coming more than the message I was presenting.
To make a long story longer, Joe was the only baptism I had. But my friend, I would rather have one like this dear soul than a hundred half converted. Joe quickly turned his life over to God and started telling his friends and family Jesus and His love. Listen to this statement from my favorite author. "There is great need of zealous, ... workers in God's cause. One Christ loving, devoted member will do more good in a church than one hundred half converted, unsanctified, self-sufficient workers." (Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 114)
Joe brought with him his many talents and took the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 to heart. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
He became what Matthew 5:14-16 calls "A light of the world. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Joe became a faithful church member and to this day, one of my closest friends. Shortly after Joe joined the church he was still going though some very rough times in his life. He really didn't know which way to turn. Many times we talked about dying to self and committing his life fully to Jesus. Soon God answered our prayers.
Joe found a good job with no Sabbath problems. He still has that job today. He began to be faithful in his tithe giving. It seemed the more he gave to God; the more God gave to him. Joe discovered what Paul meant when he said we must die to self before we can gain the victory. He discovered that it's not the slip up now and then that can keep a person down. It's not accepting the fact that the battle is already won.
When Joe accepted Jesus' Saving Grace, he then accepted the fact that his personal battle was won. How did Joe do that? Let go back to the Alamo story.
Texas accepted men from all over the country. It did not matter what color they were, what State they came from or what their past record showed. If they were willing to fight, Texas wanted them. I have not been able to find in any Texas history books where anyone was turned away for any reason. Nor can I find where men turned on each other while inside the walls of the Alamo. They fought side by side. Everyday they would spend time in the morning going over the plans of defense for that day. The men listened to their commanders. They knew the armies of General Santa Anna were building up. So they got down on their knees and with a stick, drew in the sand the plans of how they would defend the fort.
They knew that they were much safer inside than outside those walls. Surrender was never an option. And the lesson there is we must never surrender to our enemy. Just like the brave men surrendered their wills to their commanders, we too must surrender our will, our allegiances to our Commander, Jesus Christ. We must spend time daily listening as our Commander prepares our daily strategy.
Friend, there is an army of evil angels outside the walls of our defense and they want in. But not like the Alamo, Satan's evil army cannot penetrate our wall of defense. If we have Christ in our heart then our walls are solid, bullet proof, dart proof, and lion proof.
Now I know what some of you are thinking, they lost the battle at the Alamo. No they didn't. Remember, the victory came later. And our victory may not be seen today, but it will come. Turn with me to 2 Samuel 22:3;
"The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence."
Proverbs 30:5 says; "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
The History books record that Texas wanted her Independence, their freedom from Mexico, but Mexico wanted to fight for what they thought belonged to them. And the devil thinks we belong to him but we belong to Jesus. Jesus died to buy our freedom from sin. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says;
"Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price."
And what a price! 1 Peter 1:18-19 says it was not bought "with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."
And friend just like the Texans had to accept their independence from Mexico, we Christians have to accept our independence and freedom from sin in God. It doesn't matter what you have done in the past, what State or Country you are from, what color you are or language you speak, God loves and wants you in His army.
We Texans will always "Remember the Alamo," and the brave men who died for her freedom. But more important, we sinners must always remember the God who died and bought our freedom and independence back from Satan.
As the men of San Jacinto ran yelling, "Remember the Alamo", you and I need to be running with the same perseverance yelling, "Remember the Cross"!
We need to fight, in other words - witness, for our Lord in every place He sends us. We need to fight the good fight of faith because we are free to live and free to tell others about Jesus. Remember, it is we that God has chosen to carry this message to the cities.
If Jesus is coming as soon as we believe and preach, then shouldn't we be doing our best to tell others of His love and forgiveness? But in order to do that we first accept that God has fought the battle against Satan and won.
Friend, why not accept right now that the battle has been won for each of us. Then someday you can repeat with Paul;
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
2 Tim. 4:8 1 Taken from Dr. David Farmer's book "Power Witnessing" Chapter 5. Some information on the Alamo came from a brochure by "The Daughters of the Republic of Texas".
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