EAGLES AND CHICKENS

April 14, 2005

Colossians 3: 11- 17

INTRODUCTION:

1-    There’s a story told of a farmer that snared a young eagle.

2-    Put restraints on it; and turned it loose in the barnyard to roam with the chickens.

3-    In no time at all the eagle was scratching and pecking in the sand like the chickens.

4-    This once, high soaring bird; is now content to live the lowly life with the rest of the crowd.

5-    A shepherd from up in the Hills where the eagles made their home came and saw what had happened.

6-    And said; what a shame to keep that bird cooped up; why don’t you let it go!

7-    The farmer agreed; unloosed the restraints but the eagle continued scratching around.

8-    The shepherd picked it up & placed it on a high stonewall.

9-    The eagle saw again the great expanse of the blue skies.

10-  And with one leap; it took off in flight again up, up, and up, acting like an eagle should.

THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS CHRISTIANS ARE JUST THE SAME AS EAGLES AT TIMES:

1-     We come together at church services, programs and events.

2-     But still continue to live beneath our calling in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3-     We’re like eagles; designed by God for greatness in Christ His Son.

4-    But perfectly content to continue to live like those around us.

5-     And the sad truth is, “We’re surrounded by chickens” living the lowly life!

O’ I KNOW: WE SPEAK BETTER THAN THEY:

1-    We’re not fouled mouthed like the neighbors.

2-   We go to church on Sundays, prayer meetings on Wednesday’s.

3-   We curb our vices; don’t smoke, drink or chew (and don’t hang out with the girls who do).

4-   We’re healthy on the outside, nothing seems wrong; but!

5-    But we’re not living the way God intended us to live.

6-    God doesn’t need eagles to be chickens he has chickens for that.

PAUL IN OUR TEXT FINDS A GROUP OF YOUNG CHRISTIANS IN COLLOSE:

1-    The young Christians are struggling with their newfound faith.

2-    They were beautiful young new creatures in the Lord.

3-    But society had surrounded them keeping them from their potential of full measure.

4-    Society wanted them to fit in with the crowd.

5-    And be like they were.

6-    They were like the eagle that couldn’t see over the wall.

7-    Young believers having lost sight of the life of holiness they were called to be.

SO WE FIND PAUL GIVING THEM FOUR COMPONENTS OF HOLINESS:

1-    And these four components of holiness will pave the way to higher living.

FIRST PAUL SAID; “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth”!

1-      For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ!

2-      If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

3-      The things the old man wanted should no longer drive you.

4-      The former things wanted no longer haunt you!

5-      Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new in Christ the Lord.

6-      God help us everyone to focus more on things above; on heavenly things.

7-      That Christ becomes more alive in us!

8-      That we continue to prepare for His return!

9-      Our sights ought to be set on the higher elements; we’re Eagle Christians. Amen?

BELOVED; EAGLE SAINTS:

1-    And like the jet pilot on the runway who utters the word “Committed”!

2-    We too are “COMMITTED” and commitment will bring change us.

3-    And commitment will change things & situations around us.

4-    The songwriter said; He changes things and He changes me!

PAUL IN VERSES 5- 11 TELLS THEM TO FORGET THE EARTHLY THINGS:

1-    You used to walk in sin; but Christ took it away.

2-    That was then; this is now; no more do ye these things.

3-    Now it’s this way! You’re better off now!

4-    Beloved; this is the way we are to show the world; Off with the old & on with the new.

5-    Our new self is to be renewed daily to be more like Christ!

6-    You’re no longer walking with the chickens; You’re flying as high as the Eagles.

PAUL SAYS; LIVE A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:

1-    Be ye imitators of Christ attitude!

2-    Wouldn’t it be nice to have the attitude of Jesus?

3-    Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

4-    Bear one another’s burdens and forgive each other even as Christ forgave you!

5-    The New Man is about to take off and fly high!

6-    And Put on LOVE! It’ll bind all the other elements together!

7-    Let Love be your guide!

8-    And let the Peace of God rule your hearts!

9-    Be thankful and stay in the word & continue in worship!

10-                       Your wings are expanding; you’re growing from an eaglet to an eagle.

11-                       Take off is coming!

12-                       You’re living life on the “Run-way of life! You’re learning; You’re growing!

13-                       And Everything you do! “Do it to the glory of God the Father!”

THERE’S NOT A LOT OF TRAINING WITH CHICKENS; BUT WITH EAGLES, THEY’RE WELL TRAINED:

1-    About all the training that I recognize that baby chicks get is to run for cover from danger.

2-    That’s not bad! You and I know where our cover is; where protection is!

3-    We’re sheltered in “The arms of God”!

4-    Protect by the Almighty One! Amen?

BUT EAGLES GET MUCH MORE TRAINING!

1-     Understand me well now! “We’re no longer running with the chickens!

2-     We’re getting ready; We’re a fixing if you please to take off!

3-     We’re already ready for the runway!

4-     We’ve set our sights on our destination!

5-     We’ve come under His tracking system and He has surveillance over us!

6-     He knows right now where we all are!

7-     And He knows well where we’re headed!

8-     And that is the City Of God; a place some call Heaven but soon we’ll all call it Home!

9-     It’s that City Abraham caught the vision of; The City whose builder and maker is God.

WE’RE EAGLES IF YOU PLEASE:

1-    We’ve received our training in the field!

2-    We’ve been pushed out of our comfort zones; and we’ve learned how to fly!

3-    There’s been bumps and knocks along this runway;

4-    But through it all! “We’ve learned how to soar above it all”!

5-    Through it all, “We’ve learned to Trust in Jesus and we’ve learned to trust in God!

THERE’S A FEW THINGS LEFT YET TO DO:

1-    Those who have learned this New Life: to fly and not live in the barnyard!

2-    Still have a purpose & a mission to fill before we take our final flight out of here.

AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS TO LEAD OTHERS IN BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE:

1-    It doesn’t matter who gets the credit for it!

2-    Souls are crying! Men are dying! Won’t you lead them to the Cross-?

I HEAR THE MASTER CALLING OUT TO US:

1-    My Children, Come up a little Higher and I will show thee great and mighty things!

2-    If perhaps you’ve come down to the level of the chickens and scratching and pecking around in this life.

3-    Allow the Holy Spirit to pick you up!

4-    Set you on a high wall as the shepherd did the eagle and show you the vast expanse of the High Heavens.

5-    And learn to fly High again!

I BELIEVE; REGARDLESS OF THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE:

1-    God wants you to be able to fly:

2-    And to fly HIGH as the SKY!

SET YOUR AFFECTIONS HIGHER THAN THE CHICKEN PEN!

1-    Allow the Holy Spirit to remove your restraints.

2-    The Holy Spirit is here right now; allow Him to usher you out of your comfort zone.

3-    It may that you’ve looked down so long that you’ve forgotten there is a way to look up!

4-    “Look Up My Children”, “Your redemption draweth nigh!

5-    Remember! “When Jesus comes, He’s coming down for us!

6-    And When He comes down; “We’re going up to be with Him, and so shall we ever be!