Enlisted For Service

ENLISTED FOR SERVICE

6/4/2009 – Burley, ID

Ricardo Rodriguez

Mark 8:34-36

“34Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”(NLT)

“34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”(KJV)

“34Y llamando á la gente con sus discípulos, les dijo: Cualquiera que quisiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese á sí mismo, y tome su cruz, y sígame. 35Porque el que quisiere salvar su vida, la perderá; y el que perdiere su vida por causa de mí y del evangelio, la salvará. 36Porque ¿qué aprovechará al hombre, si granjeare todo el mundo, y pierde su alma?”(RV)

Today I would like to talk to you about “Enlisting For Service”.

What does it take to be part of “God’s Army”?

David knew what it was to be part of the Army of God, it was God and David! God told Gideon, “I don’t need the multitude, I need a few faithful men”. Out of 32,000 men God chose 300 men. You see you and I would have been happy with 10%, God chose less than 1%. (.09375)

 3. Divine Perfection or Completeness

 5. Grace, God’s Goodness

 7. Spiritual Perfection

 9. Judgment; as 3 x 3, it signifies the Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit

A few years ago we heard of a young man, one of our very own Apostolic brothers, Texas young person, who had been held captive by the enemy forces while serving in the military, and we prayed for his freedom and God answered our prayers.

We have many men and women, friends and relatives who are service this great country.

We have among us men and women (relatives) who have served our country in military service.

• I would like to ask these men and women to stand.

We have ministers, deacons, Pastors and their wives, who serve in a very special Army.

• I would like to ask these men and women to stand.

We have young men and women who have just finished their high school education.

• I would like to ask these young people to stand.

We have young people and older who are preparing themselves through Higher Learning through Universities.

• I would like to ask these people to stand.

Each of you have a special calling in your life, the question is will we listen to His voice?

One of the apostles that knew what it was to be part of this great service,

“THE ARMY OF THE LORD”

was the APOSTLE PAUL.

ARMY:

6635 tsaba’ tsaw-baw’ or (feminine) tsbadah tseb-aw-aw’; from 6633; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).

4753 strateuma strat’-yoo-mah from 4754; an armament, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic):--army, soldier, man of war. see GREEK for 4754

4754 strateuomai strat-yoo’-om-ahee middle voice from the base of 4756; to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations:--soldier, (go to) war(-fare). see GREEK for 4756

Before we can understand what Paul went through in “The Army of God” we must understand where he was before God got a hold of his heart.

Paul was A RELIGIOUS MAN, he was A PHARISEE, he knew the scriptures in his mind, but he did not know the Author of the scriptures as his personal Savior.

You can have much intellect and be absent from the grace of God but when God has a hold of your life God will give you the INTELLECT, GRACE, WISDOM AND BLESSINGS you will not be able to understand.

Paul was persecuting the early Christians until the day came when Jesus came into his life.

Mark 8:34-36

“34Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35IF YOU TRY TO HANG ON TO YOUR LIFE, YOU WILL LOSE IT. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36AND WHAT DO YOU BENEFIT IF YOU GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD BUT LOSE YOUR OWN SOUL?”