An Old Soldier Whose Words...never Faded Away.

2 Timothy 2:1-4 Veterans day 11/6/16

At 5:00 in the morning on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France, the Armistice was signed which ended WW1. This day was first known as Armistice Day. Later it was changed to Veterans day. It is a day that has been set aside to honor ALL VETERANS, both living and dead who have served in the military of the United States of America.

PLAY VIDEO AND ASK EACH VETERAN TO STAND WHEN THEIR SONG IS PLAYED.

These men and women are my heroes. I’m serious. I’m not just saying this to make a point. They all sacrificed their time, their own wants, and some even their health to serve the United States of America. By serving the United States of America, they served you and I. ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL!!! I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK EACH ONE OF THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICE FOR YOU AND I.

It has been said and it is so true today...

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

Our church has just a small momento to give each one of our VETERANS and it is my HONOR and PRIVILEGE to present these to each one of them today.

The definition of a VETERAN when it comes to these men and women who have stood before you today is: a person who has served in the military.

I’m sure if some you young folks are thinking of joining the military you could talk to some of these Veterans here today and they could give you some good advice. Veterans of WW2 all the way up through the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and the Gulf wars.

They would probably HAVE AN OPINION on which branch you should join.

What you need to do to get yourself in the Physical Condition to be prepared for Boot Camp.

Mentally how to prepare yourself.

Just what to expect.

This passage of scripture that we’re going to read today was written by a man who was a VETERAN in the Army of the Lord. The Apostle Paul had fought many battles. These battles had been fought for the Lord Jesus Christ. He, no doubt, bore the scars from these fights. He had been beaten, whipped and stoned throughout his years of service.

You see, another definiton of VETERAN is:

a person who has had long experience in a particular field.

The Apostle Paul preached for over 30 years before he was martyred at the hands of Nero, the Roman emperor. HE WAS A VETERAN IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD. He was nearing the end of his life and he wanted to pass some advice down to young Timothy. A young recruit in the army of the Lord. A young soldier preparing for battle.

Some of you that are young soldiers in the Army of the Lord can get some great advice from some of these OLD VETERANS of the Army of the Lord here today. Men and women who have served the Lord Jesus Christ for many years. Some probably can tell you about some hard times that they experienced in the service of the Lord but I bet every one of them would say “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”

Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:1-4

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Brother _____ lead us in prayer.

I. Be strong.

Now Paul tells Timothy here in this first verse to be strong.

NOT in Physical Strength. That, no doubt, is a requirement for the U.S. military but it’s not a requirement for the Army of the Lord. To be honest, I have heard horror stories of Boot Camp. Boot camp is meant to strengthen both physically and mentally.

It’s NOT a requirement to be strong in Academic Strength. To move up in the ranks of the military you have to be educated. I have two good friends that are twin brothers. They both retired from the U.S. army as Full Bird Colonels. They both have Masters Degrees. They both are very intelligent.