9-11
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. It’s a day that should not be forgotten. It was a day of tragedy, but it was also a day of courage. While many buildings across our nation were evacuated, first responders ran in those buildings and up the stairs. 24 year old Welles Crowther called his mom and left a message that simply said, “I’m alright” after the building he was in was hit by a plane. He was on the 104th floor, and started down the stairway when he came to the 78th floor lobby; one of the floors destroyed by the plane. He began leading the scared and injured to safety. He carried a badly burned woman down 17 flights of stairs before going back up to help others. He went back up those stairs three time, leading and helping others out before the building disintegrated around home. Welles’ story of courage is just one of many. (CLICK HERE for a Fox News Story about Welles Crowther.)
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 was a day of confusion, yet a day the led to American resolve. President Bush told the world, “You’re either for us or against us,” and the nations decided. The Department of Homeland Security was established to bring our nation’s internal security and protective agencies under one umbrella to better protect us. An “axis of evil” was defined and our nation took action against our adversary.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 was a day when many can recall exactly where they were when they heard the news that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. And, many watch in horror live news coverage when the second plane hit the second tower.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 taught us some important lessons. Here are two for you to consider today.
- BE READY. Scripture very directly warns us, “It is appointed unto every man once to die and after that the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). On September 11, 2011, 92 people boarded American Airlines flight 11 in Boston. MA. Not one of them imagined that their appointment would be that day, but it came at 8:46 AM when they crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. 65 people were on United Airlines Flight 175 that left Boston and crashed into the South Tower at 9:03 AM. 64 people were on American flight 77 that left Washington Dulles Airport only to crash moments later into the Pentagon at 9:37 AM. There were another 2,731 people that didn’t board an airplane that day. They just went to work like any other normal day. But on that day, they kept their appointment with death and they were judged for all eternity.
On September 11, 2011 another plane left Newark, New Jersey. That plane carried 44 people; 40 innocent and 4 hijackers. United Flight 93 was on a course to Washington D.C. where it’s believed the intent was to crash into the United States Capitol. The passengers on that flight, aware of what had happened on the other 3 flights, took a vote and decided to attempt a takeover of that plane. Amont the 40 heroes of Flight 93 was a young businessman named Todd Beamer. Todd was ready for his appointment. He was a Christian. Todd’s last recorded words were, “Let’s Roll” before he and other passengers attacked back against the terrorists and stormed the cockpit. CLICK HERE to watch the devotional comments made by Todd’s Father at Southpoint Christian Church (Trenton, MI) last Sunday. David Beamer was also interviewed by Fox News earlier this week. CLICK HERE for that interview.
(2) HELP OTHERS BE READY. If you knew that a plane was going to crash, would warn a friend or loved one? Of course you would. Yet, how many people do you know who don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ and are not prepared for their appointment with death? The appointment described in Hebrews 9:27 is one everyone will keep. And, at that moment everyone will be assigned to either Heaven or Hell. It’s our solemn obligation and our incredible opportunity to tell others how they can go to heaven.
LET’S ROLL, CHURCH. If 40 passengers flying 30,000 feet high in a passenger plane can muster the courage to fight back against Muslim Extremists Terrorists, certainly we can find the courage to invite a friend to church. If a young man, just 24 years old, can summon the strength to climb the stairs to the 78th floor of a badly burning building, certainly we can find the strength to deliver a few door-knockers at people’s homes with hopes that some of them may come to church to hear the message of salvation in Christ Jesus.
ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 441 first-responders lost their lives (343 firefighters, 71 police officers, 8 emergency medical technicians). If people can run into burning buildings to try to safe a life for a few more years on this year, certainly we can find a way to share our faith with someone and perhaps save a life for all eternity.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 is a day that brings back a lot of emotional memories from that terrible day 25 years ago. On this day we show our respect to the lost and appreciation for those who stand at freedom’s gate protecting us still today. But let’s also show our resolve as a church to never forget the lost; never forget there are billions of people around the world who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, many of which live in our neighborhoods, work at our places of business and perhaps even live in our same homes. Share Jesus today. Everyone has an appointment with death. Let’s help prepare them for that appointment.