An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

Too Long, Too Far, Too Low

The day was April 21, 1918.  It occurred during World War I.  Baron Manfred von Richthofen led his flight of triplanes to search for British observation aircraft. An engagement ensued between a flight of Sopwith Camels led by Canadian Royal Air Force pilot Capt. Arthur Roy Brown. Brown’s friend Lt. Wilfred May was a rookie on his first offensive patrol. May had been ordered to keep out of combat, but couldn’t resist. He jammed his guns and, defenseless, headed away from the battle. Richthofen spotted the lone plane and chose it for kill number 81. Brown observed the scene below him and dove to help his fellow airman, knowing that May was no match for Richthofen. 

Read what happens next: “It was then, with Brown closing from behind, that Richthofen, usually a meticulous and disciplined fighter pilot, made a mistake and broke one of his own rules by following May too long, too far, and too low into enemy territory. Two miles behind the Allied lines, as Brown caught up with Richthofen and fired, the chase passed over the machine-gun nests of Australian Field Artillery.” The debate continues over who fired the fatal shot that passed through Richthofen’s torso. Ultimately it doesn’t matter— whether hit from the air or the ground.......
                               The Red Baron - was mortally wounded.

Richthofen was good. Probably over-confident. But he “broke one of his own rules.” Maybe in his mind he was just stretching the rule a bit. Or he was distracted by something that appeared too good to be true. Whatever the case, he compromised his own standards, which led to his demise. For the Red Baron, the temptation of number 81 was too much. *

The temptation always exists for you and for me to focus on the WRONG things.  It is easy to be distracted by “the number$ or something else.  Then we find ourselves flying too long, too far, and too low into enemy territory, into the bondage of sin, and ultimately to our own destruction (Romans 6:23; Mat 7:13-14).

The RIGHT thing to do is to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Heb 12:1) and follow Him, for He will lead us to eternal life in heaven.  He has made this possible by dying 
on the cross as payment for our sins (1 John 2:2).  And, when we
believe in Him 
(Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men
(Rom 10:9-10), and are
baptized (immersed) in His name (Acts 2:38), He will forgive us of our sins and lead us to victory over sin and death.  If we will continue to follow His “rules” to the best of our ability, He will continue to forgive our failures (1 John 1:7).

STOP flying too long, too far, and too low into enemy territory – only misery and destruction await you there! 

Fix your eyes on Jesus and receive eternal life through your trusting obedience.

Won’t YOU?

 -- David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* From Bible.org: Sermon Illustrations.  See also: “This Day in History: 4/21.”  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=439

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