Adapted from a Greg Nance sermon https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/3-earn-this-greg-nance-sermon-on-faith-vs-works-191064?ref=SermonSeriesDetails

2. Aren't you glad God didn't say that to us?
Let's look at some things God does say about
earnings and some things he does not say.
In “Saving Private Ryan,” there is a punch line
in the movie that really brings home today’s
point.

3. The sole survivor policy was introduced in 1942
which forms the background for this fictional
movie by Steven Spielberg. This policy,
designed to prevent an entire family being
wiped out, was bought into force after the
tragedy of the five Sullivan brothers who were
all killed in war leaving that family without an
heir. In the days of WW1 and WW2, families
were usually larger than 2-3 and often had
several sons.

4. In the movie: In Washington, D.C, at the U.S.
War Department, General George Marshall is
informed that three of the four brothers of the
Ryan family were killed in action and that their
mother is to receive all three telegrams on the
same day. He learns that the fourth son, Private
First Class James Francis Ryan, is a
paratrooper and is missing in action somewhere
in Normandy.

5. So the General orders that Ryan be found and
sent home immediately.
A special forces group is assembled led by Tom
Hanks as their captain.
They go searching for private Ryan through
Normandy facing one tragedy after another.

6. When they finally find him, Ryan is told of his
brothers' deaths, the mission to bring him
home, and that two men had been lost in the
quest to find him.
He is distressed at the loss of his brothers but
does not feel it is fair to go home, asking the
Captain to tell his mother that he intends to stay
"with the only brothers he has left."

7. The captain decides to take command and
defend the bridge Ryan has been assigned to
defend with what little manpower and resources
are available.
The Germans come.
In the ensuing battle, while inflicting heavy
German casualties, most of the Americans—and
all the paratroopers—are killed.
While attempting to blow the bridge, the captain
is shot and mortally wounded.

8. Just before a Tiger tank reaches the bridge, an
American P-51 Mustang flies over and destroys
it, followed by American reinforcements who
rout the remaining Germans.
Ryan is with the captain who, as he dies says to
Ryan these last words, "James ... earn this. Earn
it."
The scene shifts to the present day, the elderly
Ryan and his family visit the Normandy
American Cemetery and Memorial.

9. Ryan stands at the captain’s grave and asks his
wife to confirm that he has led a good life, that
he is a "good man" and thus worthy of the
sacrifice of this captain and the others.
His wife replies, "You are.“
At this point, Ryan stands at attention and
delivers a military salute towards the captain’s
grave.

10. When it comes to Christian faith and
commitment, we have a strong and interesting
twist on things.
We see in scripture that there is no way for us to
earn God’s grace.
Is it not true that the sacrifice of Christ is so
high and so full and God’s grace so beyond us
that we could never, ever, deserve it, much less
repay it?

11. How true!
How glorious!
How great is our God and Father’s love for us –
how vast beyond all measure!
That He should give His only Son, to make a
wretch His treasure!

12. These words could only make Jesus’ sacrifice
seem of lessor significance.
We have rightly come to realize that all our
righteousness is as filthy rags.
NIV

13. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to thy cross I cling.
You and I can never earn our way into this
grace.
We can never work enough or sacrifice enough
or praise God enough to earn Jesus’ death on
the cross.

14. Can a murderer do enough good deeds to earn
his way out of his guilt?
Neither can you or I be Christian enough to earn
our way out of the sins we put on Jesus on that
cross.
Were it not for mercy and compassion from
God, we would all be doomed to hell.

15. The apostle Paul speaks of giving his life for the
cause of Christ.
Is he trying to earn this?
Did Jesus give His life for you so that you would
earn this?
Those haunting words stay with Ryan all of his
life. They motivate him toward honor and living
a good life. But in the end they leave him
wondering, did I do it?
Did I earn what these men did for me?

16. Jesus didn’t tell us to “earn this” as He died for
us, did he?
No, Jesus knew we could never earn what He
was giving us there.
So, what is our response to
God’s gift of His Son?
What message does ring from the cross?
What are we called to do and become in light of
such an amazing love?

17. Let’s first remember a few of the blessings and
benefits of Jesus’ blood sacrificed for us:
God’s gracious love has been poured out upon
us.

18. NIV

20. God’s Holy Spirit has come to dwell within us:
NIV

21. God’s righteousness has been credited to us:
NIV

22. God’s justice has been met to free us from the
penalty of death:
NIV

23. NIV

24. God’s law has been fulfilled in Christ,
freeing us from its condemnation:
NIV
NIV

25. All our sins are laid on Him:
NIV

26. We are called into one family:
NIV

27. We are clothed with Christ.
We are all equals in Christ.
We belong to Christ.
We are adopted into the family of Abraham
through Christ.
We are heirs of God’s promises of eternal life
and glory in Christ.

28. Just think of it!
What did God consider worth sacrificing His
only begotten Son for?
Just what was earned at the cross of Christ?
What did Jesus earn there?
Who did he earn it for?
I find it interesting that one of the biblical
messages is that in Christ, God has earned you:
your trust, your faith, your praise, your very life.

29. We don’t follow Jesus to earn His grace, we
follow Jesus because He deserves everything,
He has earned my life. He has paid for me in full.
I belong to Jesus Christ.
He is King of my life and Lord over everything in
it.
Now, for me to live is Christ, and because of His
grace, to die is gain.
Look at this:

30. NIV
NIV

33. Now we have this to answer:
am I walking worthy?
God’s word speaks of living lives worthy of our
calling.
NIV

34. NIV

35. NIV
NIV

36. NIV
NIV

37. What is that? It is worship.
What is worship? It is expressing worthiness
toward someone or something.
NIV

38. tell us how to respond to God’s
mercy in Christ:
We are to become living sacrifices.
Jesus calls us to follow Him and to go out and
make disciples of others who will follow Him.
Jesus has earned this.