Sermon Tone Analysis

Sergeant Darrell Cole was a United States Marine who received the highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

Cole’s enlistment in the United States Marines began On August 25, 1941, Cole enlisted in the United States Marine Corps just 3 years removed from high school.

This young man, from Esther, Missouri enjoyed playing sports; he was an avid hunter a photography and a musician.

This love for music, would eventually led to him being assigned as a bugler.

And later going on to serve in the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

But Cole wanted more, after completing his first deployment, he returned to from deployment and was insistent on changing his rate (or job assignment) from that of a bugler to a machine gunner.

Despite multiple failed attempts, Cole would eventually be granted his request.

In His service, Sergeant Cole would go on to serve in the battle of Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Saipan and Tinian… Cole’s determination and faithfulness to his country would eventually earn him the reputation as "The Fighting Field Musician.”

But despite Cole’s past deployments, his reputation and even his upbringing with his friends, things were about to change on a distinguished day in February 19, 1945.

On this day, The Battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and the Japanese Empire, was fully underway.

and Sergeant Cole led his machine gun section ashore in the D-Day assault.

Moving forward with the initial assault wave, a hail of fire from two enemy emplacements halted his section's advance.

Sergeant Cole personally destroyed them with hand grenades.

His unit continued to advance until pinned down for a second time by enemy fire from three Japanese gun emplacements.

One of these emplacements was destroyed by a machine-gunner in Cole's squad.

When his machine guns jammed, armed only with a pistol and one hand grenade, Sergeant Cole made a one-man attack against the two remaining gun emplacements.

Twice he returned to his own lines for additional grenades and continued the attack under fierce enemy fire until he had succeeded in destroying the enemy strong points.

Despite Cole’s bravery, upon returning to his squad, he was killed by an enemy grenade.

Sergeant Cole's company could move forward against the enemy strongholds because of his heroism that day… but ultimately, his mission cost him his life.

Ultimately, he paid the highest sacrifice for his efforts.

In time, Cole was honored as he was given the medal of honor.

The Marine Corps would also name their Reserve training center in Camp Pendleton in his honor, the Band Hall at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico Virginia would be named after him, and even the Navy warship the USS Cole would be named in his honor…

But friends, he didn’t die for the fame or recognition, he died in pursuit of freedom.

He died, out of a love for the country, and a devotion to the people and flag he loved so much.

He gave his life, for what he believed in.

You see, with Memorial Day just behind us and the 4th of July quickly approaching, I think it’s important to shift our attention to ourselves… To consider our lives personally and the things that we’re dedicated and committed to.

You see, we’re all Americans, we all have values that we believe in and standby, but if duty called, would you be willing to lay down your life for your country as Cole did?

Greater still, as Christians, are we willing to give up our lives… for the sake of Christ?

This morning, the question becomes this… will we give up ourselves, will we surrender, so that Christ can live through us?

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Galatians chapter 5.

And as you’re turning there, we’re going to continue with farming and agriculture terms as we examine the idea of Sow What?! and here, there are 3 phases of a seed that we use as metaphors as we compare our lives to the lives that Christ is calling us to and just like a seed, we see that we are to be Living for Christ Means 1. Dying to self. 2. Weed control 3. Producing Fruit

As your turning to Galatians, I want to unpack the scripture that we’re reading this morning.

The book of Galatians was written by Paul, to the church in Galatia which is modern day turkey, it’s interesting as Paul offers no commendation or praise as he does in other epistles, but after a brief salutation, he quickly jumps to the heart of his letter to the church.

You see, this church in Galatia was largely being influenced by false Jewish teachers.

And these teachers were trampling on the gospel which as we know is by grace, alone through faith alone and in Christ alone… and instead, these teachers were insisting on a gospel of works.

To which Paul would write:

Galatians 1:6-7

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all.

Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

So, Paul addresses this church, and corrects them… and then brings up the idea of dying to self.

1. Living for Christ Means Dying to self

Galatians 5:13-26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

So, we see here this concept of freedom that is at stake.

And Paul quickly establishes that these believers are free in Christ… but yet… we quickly get to the point where Paul explains that despite this freedom, that it is used to serve others, the walking by the spirit loving one another.

In other words, Paul says, “hey, if you’re a Christian, it should be evident to others.

You should put death the things of the flesh and live for Christ.”

verse 24 explains that: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

You see, the question that tends to hold people back is “if we’re free, shouldn’t we be able to do anything and everything we want?”

I mean after all the Definition of freedom is: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

But here’ Paul isn’t saying “hey, if it feels good, do it!”

No Paul is saying that we should not use our freedom to indulge the flesh, but ultimately to serve one another and surrender to Christ.

And, yet, this very paradox of dying to self, is the very issue that so many have wrestled with through the ages.

But Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 16:24-27 and said:

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

But then the scripture goes on to explain:

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

You see, when we’re talking about the potential of our lives this morning… there’s this concept that we must first die… so that he can live.

John 12:24-27 has a similar message

24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.

But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.

My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?

‘Father, save me from this hour’?

No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

Friends, the very purpose that Jesus came, was to die.

For as he said, it was for this very hour.

And here, Jesus uses this illustration that a kernel of wheat must fall to the ground, in order for its purpose and potential to be realized… and yet, we have a hard time allow ourselves to die.

You see, it was my Aubrey’s first birthday on Tuesday of this past week.

Which, unfortunately on Tuesday and for most of the week, Aubrey was sick… but of course, being that it was her first birthday, we had cake.

And how cute it is to watch a little baby girl smash her face with cake… now of course my kids wanted to eat the cake as well, and after all, with 5 kids, and 2 parents, it seems like just about every month we have birthday cake in our house…

But here’s the problem, once you eat the cake… That’s it.

You don’t get to eat a piece of cake, and still have that piece of cake… once you’ve eaten the piece of cake, it’s gone… right?Friends, my concern is that our society, even within the church has shifted towards a man-centered theology, in which, everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too… Many, want their cake, so to speak… on this side of heaven, and the next… we want to be free to do what we want to do now, without any restraint… it’s the best of both worlds… and while this approach sounds good 1 John 3 makes it very clear

1 John 3:6-10 says 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.

No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.

The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Friends, this morning, this is challenging for us to examine… but it’s important this morning to consider 2 specific points 1.