In His Majesty’s Service

In His Majesty’s Service

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

It is an honor and privilege to be able to serve one’s country; to stand for and defend its principles and liberties. To be in our nation’s service involves total commitment and may call one to endure hardship and make sacrifices. Those who are willing to serve see this as a small price to pay for the privilege of being in the nation’s military and wear their uniform with pride. As Christians, we have been called to be part of the Lord’s army. We need to realize that we have been given both the privilege and honor of being in His Majesty service.

I. You were selected to serve Christ.

A. 2 Timothy 2:4 “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”

B. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

C. There are no volunteers in God’s army; when we became a believer, we were drafted into service. Every believer has a ministry, and service is not an option.

D. Every born-again believer in Jesus Christ is:

1. Created to serve – (Ephesians 2:10)

2. Saved to serve – (1Timothy 1:8 – 11)

3. Gifted for service – (1 Peter 4:10, 11)

4. Authorized to serve – (Matthew 20:26 – 28)

5. Commanded to serve – (Matthew 28:18 – 28)

6. To be prepared to serve – (Ephesians 4:11, 12)

7. Needed to serve – (1 Corinthians 12:27)

8. Accountable to Christ for his or her service – (2 Corinthians 5:10). – adapted from Dr. Stan Ponz, International Baptist Church, “We Were Made for Good Works”

E. God calls all believers to minister to the world and the church. Service in the body isn’t optional for Christians.

F. Failing to serve is no less than being guilty of dereliction of duty – the willful or conscious neglect or delinquency of one’s duty and obligation.

II. You are to seek please the Lord that chose you.

A. 2 Timothy 2:4 “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”

B. John Kenneth Galbraith, in his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, illustrates the devotion of Emily Gloria Wilson, his family’s housekeeper: It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang. Lyndon Johnson was calling from the White House. “Get me Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson.”“He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him.” “Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him.” “No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you. When I called the President back, he could scarcely control his pleasure. “Tell that woman I want her here in the White House.” – Copied

C. We must realize who we work for. We work for Him. We are employed in His Majesty’s service.

D. It is Christ and Christ alone that we seek to honor and please.

E. Please – to be the source of satisfaction, pleasure or contentment to another

F. Barnes states that “a good soldier's great object is to approve himself to (his Commander). It is not to pursue his own plans, or to have his own will, or to accumulate property or fame for himself. His will is absorbed in the will of his commander, and his purpose is accomplished if he meets with his approval.”- Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

G. Even our Savior sought to please Him Who sent Him. Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

III. You are to remain strong in order to serve Christ

A. 2 Timothy 2:1 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

B. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

C. We fight against a formidable foe and can only defeat him with God’s strength. Thus Paul admonishes Timothy to strengthen himself with the power that is provided by grace.