Worthy

Introduction

If you play for a winning team there is a certain standard that there is set for you and those that will come after you. (Use Lakers as an example) They are a winning program. They are almost always successful. There is a certain expectation that comes with playing on the Lakers, the Yankees, UNC or Duke Basketball, UConn Girls basketball was one for a long time, Golden State Warriors, Dale Earnhardt. You almost always expect these people to be in the top running any year that they play. And people must deem them worthy to play on that team. They don’t just get anybody to play for them. But when they lose or they don’t live up to the expectation of winning that is set up for them it is a big deal. There is a weight that comes with wearing that name across your chest. You know you’re playing for something that is bigger than yourself. People are watching you, you always have to be on your game on and off the court. Now take that idea and we are going to look at something that Paul says that I think has big application for us and anybody who calls themselves a Christian. Walk worthy.

Unified Action (v. 1-2)

Our conduct flows from what we believe about God and what He has done for us. It’s funny that Paul tells us what we should be doing before reminding us of why we should be doing it. Paul starts by telling us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling that we have been called unto salvation. Because we have Christ we now live a different way! That’s the whole Christian testimony is that I used to be one way BUT GOD saved me and now I am a different way. I am a new creation. I walk differently, I talk differently, I look at my life differently, I have a new purpose, I have a new mind, I see the world around me in a new light.

We wear the name of Christ on our Chest every day. “Those who have been chosen by God to sit with Christ in the heavenly places must remember that the honor of Christ is involved in their daily lives.” Paul gives us four aspects of a life worthy of the calling that we have been called to in Christ.

Humility/lowliness: In any culture being humble isn’t a notable quality of someone. And even for the greeks during that time being humble and low in spirit was not a great virtue to have. In Christ lowliness and humility became a virtue. Philippians 2:6-7 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Isaiah 66:2 “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

Gentleness/Meekness: Be gentle towards others. have a spirit that is so absorbed in seeking the worthy goal of glorifying God that you refuse to be deflected from it by anything.” This is also a direct byproduct of being humble! Be humble—>Being gentle

Patience: Steadfast endurance of suffering or slowness in avenging wrong or retaliating when hurt by another. God is patient and longsuffering with us so we should be with others.

Forbearance: Bear with one another’s weaknesses, not ceasing to love one’s neighbors or friends because of the faults in them that might offend or displease us. A mutual tolerance that no people can live together in peace without.

All of these qualities that we should express in the love that we show to each other. Love is the basic attitude of seeking the highest good of others.

Unified Faith (3-6)

Peace comes in the unity that comes from the Spirit that is sought after in EAGERNESS. Note that the unity that we have in the Spirit and in Christ is supposed to be maintained with eagerness. We should be eager and READY to protect the unity that we have in Christ. (Example of unity within schools) Paul is aware of the multitude of various temperaments and attitudes and social and racial backgrounds that have come into the Christian church. All of those barriers are broken down in Christ. All now have EQUAL share and EQUAL privileges of grace. This unity and equality in the body of Christ that tears down all other barriers and boundaries that we have in place within our society is part of God’s radical grace that displays His character to those around us that haven’t experienced the love of Christ yet, and will eventually pull them into a curiosity that leads to salvation.

ONE-One body: the body of Christ that we are adopted into. One Spirit: the Holy Spirit that is working within us to give us the strength of God, boldness of God, and fullness of God. One hope: One gospel that we believe…which means One Lord: Jesus Christ is the one that we worship and live for the glory of. One faith: Our common trust and leaning on God to sustain us and guide us binds us together. One baptism: the outward sign of our faith we put in Christ is baptism. One God and Father: All Christians are brothers and sisters, sharing the same conviction that God is their Father and He is above all things and works through all things and in all things. We believe that we live in a God created, God controlled, God sustained, and God filled world.

Conclusion

Such a timely message to us as we go into our Spring Break week starting it off with a worship service with other students from different schools, different churches, different families but we are going to come together to worship, hang out, and praise Jesus together!