Walk in a Manner Worthy (Earn This!)

Earn This! – Colossians 1:9-10

Introduction

I.                    Capt John Miller survives D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach to be sent on a mission to save the last survivor of four brother sent into combat – Private James Ryan. As Miller and his 7 men go behind enemy lines, he watches as one by one, they are killed in the effort.

II.                 With each man that dies in the effort the others question if Ryan is worth all of this.

III.               In the final last stand battle seen, Capt Miller, is mortally wounded slumped against a jeep, when Ryan, now safe, approaches him. In one of the most powerful moments of the film Miller utters two dying words to the young private – “Earn this!”

What did Miller mean?

1. Simply = live up to what has been done for you
2. He meant live a life worthy of the sacrifice that was made on your behalf.
3. Live a life that shows that you understand what has been done for you – show that you deserved to be saved…
4. Ryan had done nothing special to deserve being saved – he hadn’t fought any harder than any of the other soldiers
5. Miller and his men didn’t die so save Private Ryan so that he could be a bum, or a thief, or a drunkard, or a sluggard – that would not have been worthy of the effort and sacrifice that was made for him.
6. There is a responsibility that comes with the gift

Paul reminds us that there is a responsibility that comes with being a Christian as well…

READ - Colossians 1:9-12

WALK WORTHY (v10)

1. Christians cannot just sit – we must WALK the life of a Christian
2. We must WALK THE TALK – talk is cheap

 WORTHY

1. “Worthy” is axiōs (ἀξιως). “having the weight of”
2. We must live our lives showing that we understand what has been done for us – show that we are worthy of the sacrifice…
1. The sacrifice has already been made – we cannot do anything to earn forgiveness or the sacrifice
3. Matthew 10:38 "“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "
4. John 14:15 – “If you love Me you will keep my commandments”
5. PRESIDENT – A president that commits adultery and then lies about it is not worthy of the office of president

PLEASING HIM IN ALL RESPECTS (vs10)

1. If we cannot do this Paul wouldn’t have prayed for it!
2. Our walk must be a constant striving to please God in all respects – in every way!
1. We must constantly evaluate what we are doing and why
2. AM I WALKING PLEASING TO GOD?

                                                               i.      If not we’d better stop it – it is not a manner worthy

So, how do we live this worthy, God pleasing life?

Paul uses 4 present participles to tell us ….continuous action

We walk in a worthy, God pleasing manner when we are…

 (1) BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK

1. This worthy, God pleasing life must be PRODUCTIVE
1. Jesus Himself warned us about the result of an unproductive life
2. John 15:1-10 – Bear Fruit or Burn – is the lesson

                                                               i.      vs. 2 - Branches IN HIM will be cut off and thrown in the fire (15:2)

                                                             ii.      vs. 8 - "“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."

1. What is the fruit that you bear here in school?
1. Influence here at BVCC
2. Influence on your classmates
3. Reaching out through campaigns, preaching, teaching
4. Preparing yourself to be better fruit bearers!!!

We walk in a worthy, God pleasing manner when we are…

 (2) INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (vs10)

1. lit. – grow in the perception of God
2. His prayer was that they would be FILLED with the knowledge of God’s will (v9)
1. Knowing God’s will creates in us a desire to do what He wants us to
2. Sense of obligation - LOVE
3. Now he wants that knowledge to INCREASE
1. Job 42:5 - "5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You”"
4. ARE YOU GROWING in your personal relationship with GOD?
1. Why aren’t more people GROWING?
2. IT TAKES WORK!!!!
3. 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Be diligent (KJV = study) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
5. YOUR GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE IS UP TO YOU!!
1. Christian growth requires a TEACHABLE HEART…

                                                               i.      We must be willing to listen for God’s voice in the pages of Scripture

                                                             ii.      James 1:19 - "…everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; "

1. That is why you are HERE –

                                                              i.      not just to learn the facts

                                                             ii.      Not just to confirm what you believe you already know but to INCREASE….

1. IF YOU AREN”T GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD – HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO HELP OTHER GROW  

We walk in a worthy, God pleasing manner when we are…

(3) BEING STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER (according to His might) (vs11)

1. We must APPLY the knowledge to our lives!!! #. When knowledge grows – strength and courage increase
1. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me "
2. 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “…stand firm in the faith…”
2. This strengthening is…
1. ACCORDING TO HIS MIGHT

                                                               i.      According to stronger than “by” or “of”

1.      If a millionaire gives “of” his wealth he may give very little, but if he gives “according to” his wealth he will give a great deal

1.  How we attain “STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE”

                                                               i.      Steadfastness = persistence, Patience = endurance

                                                             ii.      Endurance is the strength to hold our ground in the face of all comers!

We walk in a worthy, God pleasing manner when we are…

 (4) JOYOUSLY GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER (vs12)

1. He has given us as Christians, THE inheritance of the saints of Light #. There is no greater gift than that!
2. 1 Peter 2:9 - "9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; "

CONCLUSION

At the end of the film, Ryan, along with his children and grand-children stand at the grave of Capt. John Miller. Ryan tells him that “each day I have done my best to earn what you have done for me.”

Each day, we as Christians should kneel at the cross and say the same thing

ask ourselves…

AM I BEARING FRUIT IN ALL GOOD THINGS?
AM I INCREASING IN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?

AM I BEING STRENGTHENED BY HIS POWER?

AM I GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER WHO MADE ME HIS SON?

“Am I doing my best to walk in manner worthy of the sacrifice that has been made for me?”

May God continue to bless you in your walk….