Being A Strong Soldier

2 TIM. 2:1-4 “BEING A STRONG SOLDIER”

A) A good soldier makes a difference in the world! * Someone has written:

* It is the soldier, not the preacher, who gives us freedom of religion.

* It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

* It is the soldier, not the poet, who gives us freedom of speech.

B) It is the soldier, not the protestor, who gives us freedom to assemble!

* It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

* It is the soldier, not the politician, who gives us the right to vote.

* It is the soldier, who not only salutes the Flag, but serves under the Flag, fighting for the country

that Flag represents.

C) Soldiers make a difference in this world … a difference for which you and I should always

be grateful!

* It shouldn’t surprise us that the Bible uses a good soldier as a model for you and I about how to

live for Christ.

* Tonight, I want us to look in 2 Tim. 2:3-4 where the Bible tells us how we can be good soldiers

for Christ. * I want to do an acrostic sermon on the word “soldier.”

(1) S – STRONG! * v.1 … This was precisely Timothy’s need!

A) Paul knew that the devil would attack him with everything hell could throw against him!

* Knowing the fears that can come to an individual when everything goes against him and all his

friends let him down, Paul urged Timothy to be strong “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

* He wanted Timothy to look above, not at circumstances around him!

* He should trust God for the victory and for grace to face whatever the coming days might bring.

B) Paul had learned that God’s grace was sufficient for any and all things – 2 Cor. 12:8-10!

* Remember that Paul was facing death … He was to be executed by the Romans on the false

charge that he was a revolutionary against the state.

* Timothy was to be Paul’s successor … He would soon take over the main responsibility for the

churches scattered all over the world.

* The responsibility for spreading the Gospel across the earth would soon be his.

C) Could he stand up under pressure?

* Could he handle all the problems and circumstances that would arise? * Would he …….

* Work enough … Study enough … Learn enough … Pray enough … Witness enough … Preach

enough … Teach enough … Endure enough … Strive enough … And war enough in the spirit?

D) There was only one hope for Timothy, just as there is only one hope for any of us!

* Timothy needed an unlimited strength … A strength that could drive him to conquer any

circumstance and to work at any task until it was accomplished.

E) That strength would only come from one source!

* And Paul knew the fact, that strength is the strength of God!

* The strength of man is no stronger than man … His strength ceases to be.

* And not only this, but all along the path of life, man falls short and fails time after time, no

matter who the man is … The weakness of his strength is constantly showing itself.

F) However, the strength of God is entirely different!

* God’s strength is all sufficient and all powerful!

* It can and does conquer all the circumstances of life, including death itself!

* Therefore, if a man can tap into God’s strength, he can conquer all the circumstances of life, and

“can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength to do it!” * BE STRONG!

(2) O – OBEDIENT! * v.2 … Paul told Timothy, in other words, “Do what I ask you to do!”

A) A good soldier always follows orders from their commander in chief!

* A good soldier always focuses upon his commander and his words, and obeys them!

* What would happen if a soldier disobeyed a direct command from his commander in chief?

* I would guarantee you that discipline would take place almost immediately!

B) Our Commander in Chief is Jesus Christ, the Son of God! * He calls the shots in our lives!

* Heb. 5:9 “And being made perfect, he (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation unto all

them that obey him;”

* The Greek word is hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo’-o); to listen attentively; to heed or conform to a

command or authority; to hearken; be obedient to. * BE OBEDIENT!

(3) L – LOYAL! * v.4 “that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”