The Christian Soldier
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
The Task:
The Task:
A. To follow.
A. To follow.
Following orders of their leaders. As Christians we follow the orders of Christ. While a soldier is forced to follow. Christ has given us Christians a order:
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
B. To fight.
B. To fight.
Soldiers fight to protect or advance their country. Christians fight the good fight of faith:
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
You fight against sin, temptation, and Satan. Your enemies are the flesh, the world, and Satan.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The Training: 2 Timothy 2:3
The Training: 2 Timothy 2:3
A. Discipline.
A. Discipline.
Just as a runner needs discipline, so the Christian soldier needs self-control:
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
An uncontrolled Christian can be dangerous in many ways.
B. Dedication.
B. Dedication.
The soldier is dedicated to his work. God wants all Christians to have this same obedience:
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
C. Denial.
C. Denial.
A soldier puts his country first, above personal plans and even above his family. Christ must be first in the life of a Christian:
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
The Tools:
The Tools:
No soldier is sent to battle without proper tools. God has given His followers special spiritual tools to accomplish His work.
A. Spiritual tools
A. Spiritual tools
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
These spiritual tools destroy the works of Satan.
B. Special tools
B. Special tools
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
All tools to go forward, no protection from the back.
C. Successful tools
C. Successful tools
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Prayer is the most powerful tool You can use in battle.
The Testing:
The Testing:
A. Physical testing
A. Physical testing
Paul had a thorn in his flesh:
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God wants strong soldiers; so He will test you.
B. Mental testing
B. Mental testing
Satan uses doubt to destroy God’s people. God wants and deserves your trust in Him fully:
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
C. Spiritual testing
C. Spiritual testing
This is a battle against the flesh, the world, and Satan:
The Flesh:
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The world:
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Satan:
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
The Triumph:
The Triumph:
A soldier is welcomed home. He is made a hero. Christ will welcome us home. he will honor us for our faithfulness:
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
A. Fight
A. Fight
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
7 I have fought the good fight
B. Finished
B. Finished
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
I have finished the race
C. Faith
C. Faith
2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
I have kept the faith.
D. Faithfulness
D. Faithfulness
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Benediction
Benediction
The LORD bless thee
[Echo]
And keep thee
[Echo]
[Together] The LORD make his face to shine upon thee
The LORD bless thee
[Echo]
And keep thee
[Echo]
[Together] The LORD make his face to shine upon thee
[Together] And be gracious unto thee x2
The LORD lift up
[Echo]
His countenance
[Echo]
[Together] Upon thee, and give thee peace.