Walk Worthy - Trial Life Sunday

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and multiplying in the full knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9–10)

This morning is Trail Life Sunday. We started trail life because we believe boys and their dads need a powerful way to experience life outdoors and grow together in their faith in Jesus Christ. To be a boy or a man today is a challenge. We live in a culture today that is hostile to men being manly. We live in a culture that teaches that if you are not happy with who you are, you must change it. While that sounds powerful on the surface, deeper into that idea is dangerous and even demonic. I believe God made us the way He made us so that we can glorify Him in our lives.

With that, Paul does not tell us to be ashamed of ourselves or our faith but challenges us to ‘walk worthy’ in light of who we are created in Him to be and the redemption brought to us through His son Jesus Christ.

There are lots of mottos in the world:

In God we trust - United States.

Semper Fi (Always Faithful) - US Marine Corp

Be as you wish to seem. - Socrates

Don’t leave home without it - AMX.

Winners never quit, and quitters never win —Vince Lombardi.

The best a man can get - Gillette

Do or do not, there is no try – Yoda.

To Know, To Live, and to Share the Gospel - Crossway Christian Fellowship

Walk Worthy - Trail Life USA

When I hear the words of the Apostle, ‘Walk worthy,’ that prods me to stand a little taller, be more attentive to my character, and be faithful to my Savior. But we must stop momentarily and ask ourselves, what does that mean? What did Trail Life mean when it made its motto ‘ Walk Worthy.’

At the heart of this, I think God uses our experience in our Christian walk as a learning tool. You don’t learn the truth by just mentally remembering it; you learn it by experiencing it in your life. God will use the experience to teach you His Word. Sometimes, he will use the stresses in life to teach us the most important lessons. What is the difference between a typewriter and a computer? - Memory.

This is how Young David faced the stressful situation of Goliath. He told Saul, “God delivered me from the lion and the bear, and so he will deliver me from the giant. He used his memory from his experience in life to prepare him for his future. He used his memory of past victories the Lord had given him to increase his faith in the present situation.

If God delivered me in the past, I can walk worthy for Him of the things I am facing tomorrow. Maybe that’s a job opportunity. Maybe that’s a chance to be an example to a neighbor. Maybe that is a hard time I’m facing in school. Maybe that’s something scary, like a diagnosis we receive from the doctor or a time when life didn’t seem fair. Walking worthy means standing tall for Jesus, no matter what the situation we face.

In Trail Life, we are walking worthy of the task that is right before us. Maybe it’s carrying the flag during a worship service or learning to set up a camp. It could be we need to walk worthy during a hike, learn to climb a difficult rock face or ride the rapids on a river. Walking worthy might be paying extra attention during a lesson, wearing our uniform proudly, or helping a friend with a need. Walking worthy is giving our BEST for Jesus no matter what the circumstances are around us. So with that, I have a few important reminders about walking worthy.

I. Walking Worthy Means We Need to Get Out of the Boat

In other words, like Peter, we cannot be content just taking up a seat. Our aim is to grow and be more like our Lord in every way, even if that means stepping out of a boat and onto the water.

Immediately, He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 And after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, being battered by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 Now, when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:22–33)