Earn This
READ - Colossians 1:9-12
Introduction – Saving Private Ryan Slide
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. Certainly there wasn’t anything Ryan could do to warrany Miller’s death
2. Ryan had done nothing special to deserve being saved – he hadn’t fought any harder than any of the other soldiers
3. He could live good enough that Miller would HAVE to die for him
4. Live a life that shows that you understand what has been done for you
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 1:9-14
This worthy walk is…
(1) IS A WALK (v10)
1. Christianity is not a spectator sport – it is something we ARE – it is something we DO
2. If we claim the name Christian then we must WALK THE TALK – talk is cheap
1. We must live our lives showing that we understand what has been done for us – show that we are worthy of the sacrifice…
2. The sacrifice has already been made – we cannot do anything to earn forgiveness or the sacrifice
3. Jesus talked of our being worthy of Him - Matthew 10:38 "“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "
4. We understand the concept: PRESIDENT, JUDGE, POLICEMAN, TEACHER
5. There is a certain level of behavior that is expected
6. If we have expectations of people in society – should we expect God to have expectations of His children
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!
a. We must constantly evaluate what we are doing and why
b. AM I WALKING PLEASING TO GOD?
c. 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
This worthy walk is…
(1) A FRUIT BEARING WALK – BEAR FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK (vs10)
1. We must be PRODUCTIVE
a. Jesus Himself warned us about the result of an unproductive life
b. John 15:1-10 – the VINE and the BRANCHES
i. vs. 2 – any branches IN HIM that do not bear fruit 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."
2. We are to bear fruit IN EVERY GOOD WORK
a. XNTY is not some small portion of our lives!
b. ALL respects – EVERY good work – not just some!
3. What is the fruit that you bearing?
a. Influence here at Bear Valley?
b. Influence in your family?
c. Influence at your workplace?
d. In your recreation?
THIS WORTHY WALK IS PRODUCTIVE – IT’S ABOUT BEARING FRUIT FOR GOD!
This worthy walk is…
(2) A GROWING WALK – INCREASING IN 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)
3. Now he wants that knowledge to INCREASE
a. 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?
a. 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!!
a. It takes WORK! – It is not going to happen by itself!
b. Christian growth requires a TEACHABLE HEART…
i. We must be willing to listen for God’s voice in the pages of Scripture
ii. Acts 17:11 - "…they received the word with great eagerness… "
iii. James 1:19 – “ everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
THE WORTHY WALK IS ABOUT INCREASING IN KNOWLEDGE – GROWING!
This worthy walk is…
(3) A STRENGTHENING WALK - BEING STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER (vs11)
1. We must APPLY the knowledge we gain to our lives!!!
2. This increase in knowledge provides strength to carry on –
a. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me "
b. 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “…stand firm in the faith…”
3. This strength allows us to attain “STEADFASTNESS AND PATIENCE”
a. Steadfastness = persistence, Patience = endurance
b. Endurance is the strength to hold our ground in the face of all comers!
c. Christianity to a marathon not a sprint – we need strength to finish the race
THE WORTHY WALK IS ABOUT BEING STRENGTHENED FOR ENDURANCE!
This worthy walk is…
(4) A THANKFUL WALK - JOYOUSLY GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER (vs12)
1. He has QUALIFIED US to share in the inheritance with the saints in Light (v12)
2. He has RESCUED US from the domain of darkness. (v13)
3. He has TRANSFERRED US to the Kingdom of His bloved Son (v13)
4. He has REDEEMED US (v14)
5. He has FORGIVEN US (v14)
6. This thanksgiving we would do well to REMEMBER this list
7. How do we show our thankfulness?
a. BY WALKING IN A WORTHY MANNER!!!
b. By BEARING FRUIT
c. By INCREASING IN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
d. By BEING STRENGTHENED by His power
e. By JOYOUSLY GIVING THANKS
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
“Lord, help me to do my best each day to walk in manner worthy of the sacrifice that has been made for me?”
INVITATION
There may be some here today that have struggle in their walk…
Maybe you aren’t as fruit bearing as you once were.
Maybe you are not increasing in your knowledege and need the help and prayers of your brothers and sisters
Maybe you haven’t obeyed the gospel –
Jesus has done the hard part – all you need to do is respond
REPENT of your sins
Submit to His reign and rule in your life by CONFESSING Him as Lord and Christ
Have your sins washed away in the waters of BAPTISM.
You too can be RESCUED
You too can be REDEEMED
You too can be FORGIVEN
