CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
2ND Tim.2:1 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.
Soldiers are very important to any country. We are defended by our troops we have peace and security because they are willing to serve.
Lets look at Gods soldiers of which we are members of.
(1) The task of a soldier.
We are to follow orders from our leader Jesus Christ.
The men in the army are forced to follow.
The Christian follows by choice.
Matt.4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
In order to fight the good fight.
1st Tim.6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
We fight against sin,temptation and Satan
(2) The soldiers training .
Look at the words of Paul .
2nd Tim.2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Discipline .
1st Cor:924 ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We should have self control.
Dedication
We must have dedication in order to keep up his work.
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
We must be obedient.
Denial
The soldier puts his country above all.
Matt.6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 ¶ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Christ must be first in our lives.
(3) A soldiers tools.
We must have special tools for the work of the Lord.
Spiritual tools.
2nd Cor.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)
5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
These tools destroy the work of Satan.
Special tools .
Eph.6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, 1. Is. 11.5 and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Is. 59.17 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Is. 52.7
16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, Is. 59.17 and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
These tools protect us from attacts.
Successful tools.
Eph.6:18 praying always with all 1. prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
The most powerful tool we have to use in battle.
(4)The soldiers testing
Physical test
2nd Cor.12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
God wants strong soldiers so he test them
Mental test
Phil.4:4 ¶ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by 1. prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Satan uses doubt to distroy his people.
God wants people he can trust.
Spiritual testing
Eph.6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(5) The triumph soldier.
When the war is won the soldier has a welcome home.
God will welcome us home after the battle and will honor us for our faithfulness.
Rev.2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Fight— I have fought a good fight 2nd Tim.4:7
Finished —I have finished my course
Faith– I have kept the faith
Faithfulness– A crown awaits us.
2nd Tim.4;8 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
If you don’t serve you bring dishonor
Serve as God leads you bring honor to God and country.
