How will you be remembered?
Introduction: This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend and it usually marks the start of summer vacation and there will be many people that will make a run to the lake because it is the first 3 day weekend of warmer weather. But the holiday is designed to honor all those who died in military service. During Veteran's day we honor those who served and during Memorial day we honor all those who died serving a cause greater than themselves.
I think back to a point that has probably been made several times before, but is worth repeating today. There will be many people decorating tombstones at local cemeteries across the nation. And a great deal of them you will read something like “John Smith 1925 (dash) 1987” or “Bill Watson 1940 (dash) 2010”. That dash between the dates on the tombstones is your life. All of your legacy is represented in a small mark between two dates. Humbling isn't it?
But I want to draw your attention to something I discovered a couple of days ago. There is a tombstone that reads “A Soldier of the 1939-1945 war Known unto God.” There are several tombstones of different shapes and sizes that read the exact same thing. No one but God knows their name nor the day they were born nor the day they died. But they do remember the war itself, even though they may never know the pain, nor the sacrifice, or the hardships suffered during it. It was something that was “over there”, isolated from us to be relayed only through the nightly news or the local paper. And we take for granted all the lives sacrificed for freedom.
There is a war that going on all around us, but many are ignorant to it: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” and like many civilians today who know little of the war or care, Christ is calling for volunteers to engage in this war. Just like we remember those who sacrificed it all for the defense of their country. In this Ephesians 6:12 war, How will you be remembered for what we did on the battlefield? Will you be remembered for fighting valiantly? Contending bravely for the faith? Or will you be rememberedas someone who surrendered to the enemy? As one who deserted their post and abandoned their mission?
How will you be remembered? Not just by our friends and family, who we leave behind to cherish our memory, but by the almighty God who recruited us and awaits us, once our tour of duty is over.
Transition: All those who enlist want to be remembered as a good soldier. Let's analyze how a good soldier will be remembered based on Paul's second letter to Timothy. First . . .
I. A good soldier is remembered for his Strength
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” -2 Timothy 2:1
Once your fight is over, will those you leave behind remember that you were strong?
Strength matters. Jesus said “. . . how can anyone enter a strong mans house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? . .”
It is logical that the stronger man overpowers the weaker man. But it isn't a physical strength that Paul is charging Timothy toward. Paul encourages Timothy to 'be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.' The strength that Paul is speaking of here, is having a resoluteness in Christ's grace. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus comes to bring men life and bring them life more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10)
Every Christian should be determined to believe in the power of that grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” -Eph. 2:8
God gives his love freely. It is difficult for people that live in such a selfish world to accept that kind of grace; because we learn (sometimes the hard way) that rarely, does the world give anything good away for free, . . . especially love. Most often what the world calls “love” the Bible calls lust.
“For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.” - I John 2:16
Love comes from God, Lust comes from the world. The world not only has a lust FOR the flesh but has a lust FROM the flesh. It takes a strong person to be strong in grace. As we live in a world that is opposed to the good in us, we must rely on a Savior that is opposed to the sin in it. So as our trials increase so must our strength, not in ourselves, but in the grace that comes from Jesus.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” - Romans 8:35
“No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” -Rom. 8:37
We tend to glorify strength in ourselves. Movies are made of heroes who, through their own intelligence, strength, talents and special abilities get justice for themselves or others. Paul said “I can do all things . . . THROUGH CHRIST who STRENGTHENS ME.” It wasn't himself that gave him the ability to do all things, but Christ! We must know where our strength comes from.
When Samson, (known for his incredible strength) became powerless, Judges 16:20 says “ . . . but he did not know that the LORD had left him and then the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze chains, and he was a grinder in the prison.” Samson began to believe in himself and his own strength. When Samson lost the LORD, He lost his strength . . . and his sight too. The Seven sons of Sceva thought they could cast out demons by knowing the name, but not the Savior, and they were driven out naked and wounded. Satan deceives many people by convincing them they only need to depend upon their own strength. Paul tells Timothy “be strong” but not in yourself. Be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.
In Ephesians 6:10 we read: “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
There are many battles to fight on our way to heaven, we are going to need courage. we must fight in every trench and valley, protesting every gain of the enemy with dented swords, and broken shields!
We remember this weekend, the strength of those who died fighting for our freedom. But how many remember the strength of the prayer warriors and good Christian soldiers that have already served their tour of duty, and have retired? A soldier can have great armor but it wont do him much good if he doesn't have a good heart.
Transition: Spiritual strength is necessary for spiritual war, especially in our time! Once our tour of duty is over, Let's be remembered as Christian soldiers who preached the gospel boldly, defended it bravely, and fiercely opposed every error and heresy to it. A good soldier will be remembered for their strength and . . .
II. A good soldier is remembered for his Influence
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” -2 Timothy 2:2
Ill. Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed:
When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathens.
(J.O. Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p. 24.)
What a person teaches others is what they will be remembered for. A good soldier elevates those around him. When fellow soldiers are discouraged and dispirited, it takes a special fighter to rally the troops to one more surge against the spiritual forces of evil.
There is a particular illustration of the importance of fellow soldiers in 2 Samuel 10. We see that the Ammonites are provoking a war with King David by abusing Israel's ambassadors. By these deliberate acts, they were essentially saying "we want to fight you" " We want war with you!" They get what they wanted because King David quickly sends his general, Joab with an army out to attack them. The Ammonites soon realize they don't have enough soldiers to challenge David. So they hire the deadly armies from Syria. And now a more than formidable alliance is made. The Ammonites are at Israel's gate while the Syrians await in the flank. The Ammonites and Syrians were so well prepared to defeat David, that as a military general, this was Joab's greatest test. (Great challenges make great legacies.) in my opinion, This was by far Joab's finest moment. Instead of realizing that the odds are against him and making an honorable retreat, Joab motivates his men to fight all the more fiercely. He sees the enemy's plan and wisely tells his brother Abishai to take soldiers and hold off the Ammonites at the gate, while he takes his best soldiers and goes out to confront the stronger Syrians out in the field, who are trying to flank them.
“Joab said, 'If the Arameans (Syrians) are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.” -2 Samuel 10:11
Joab's influence changed a would be discouraged nation not fearsome power that charged at the enemy and they ran away!
To help our brothers, is our Christian duty! Christ's soldiers should strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Even though the Syrians regrouped, David chased them down and killed Shobach, the Syrian general, 700 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. (v.18) Those who managed to survive, surrendered to David, and learned a valuable lesson: It is not only dangerous; (pause) but deadly to take sides against the children of God!
[The ignorance of Sinners is amazing! They provoke God with all kinds of schemes and devices, never considering that God is stronger than they are. Remember, those at war with God's children are the ones that started the war. God waits for all to turn to his grace and mercy, but when they refuse, that's when He begins to sharpen his sword. No one who hardens their heart against God ever prospers.]
Those that are stronger must train the weaker. Veterans must counsel and comfort the recruits. “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” - Luke 22:32
Influence matters. Every good captain was first a good cadet. To be a good leader you must first be a good follower. Joshua followed Moses, Elisha followed Elijah, Timothy was mentored by Paul and is now ready to become a spiritual leader teaching and training others, just as he was taught and trained by Paul.
Transition: A good soldier will be remembered for his influence on others, Thirdly, Paul commands Timothy to endure hardship with him, which brings us to our next good soldier characteristic . .
III. A good soldier is remembered for his Resilience
“Join with me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” -2 Timothy 2:3 NIV
“Endure hardness like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” -2 Timothy 2:3 KJV
The word 'resilient' is defined as “able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions”
Merriam Websters defines it this way “able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens.”
All Christians, but especially ministers are soldiers of Jesus Christ. And those soldiers must be resilient. Paul uses the same words here, that he uses in 2 Timothy 4:5 meaning we must suffer afflictions of every kind. Not limited to phsical affliction but We must suffer our reputation being undermined - there will be those that will try to convince your closest friends that you are not what you appear to be, that you are not qualified to reproove, rebuke, encourage, exhort, teach, preach, or lead. We must insults of being a hypocrite, a hater, or worse. We must suffer the affliction of accusation: (Proverbs 3:30 says that unless they have hurt you personally, you should not accuse them of anything). But a good soldier rebounds from those afflictions quickly, he sees it coming braces himself to receive the blow and takes it in stride, and advances forward.
Christian Soldiers must be Resilient! I'm reminded of a portion of the ballad of sir Andrew Barton, a tough man who took the bullets and kept on going:
But at Sir Andrew, he shot then;
He made sure to hit his mark;
Under the spole of his right arm
He shot Sir Andrew through the heart.
Yet from the tree he would not start,
But he clinged to it with might and main;
. . . He shot Sir Andrew through the brain.
"Fight on, my men," Sir Andrew said,
"A little I'm hurt, but not yet slain;
I'll just lay down and bleed a while,
And then I shall rise and fight again.
Resilience Matters. Paul himself told the Corinthians how he suffered affliction, He wrote:
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”
Paul was resilient. And He now implores Timothy to join him in fighting the good fight of faith. Not under his banner but under the Lord's banner. Not for his cause but for the cause of Christ, not agaist his enemies but against the Lords enemies.
Transition: Like a good soldier, Paul is remembered for fighting the the good fight. And now He directs Timothy to forsake all and join him in that fight. It wasn't their goal to be remembered at all, but that all would remember Christ. Ironically, that is what makes them memorable. Finally. . .
IV. A good soldier is remembered for his Devotion
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer.” -2 Timothy 2:4
Military recruiters say a lot of things to get kids to join. They talk about the benefits. They talk about the prestige. They talk about the honor. But what they don't talk about is the pain & humiliation of boot camp, they don't mention the long months without seeing your wife and children. They don't describe the holidays spent in a foreign country, rather than around the family dinner table. They casually leave out the possibility of death. But once you enlist, you belong to someone else.
Paul on the other hand was very open about what Timothy was in for. He reminds Timothy that when a soldier enlists, he is no longer a civilian and therefore needs to cut all desires for the civilian life because if he won't, he might end up AWOL like Demas, the apostate who loved the civilian life so much that he deserted Paul to have it.
Devotion matters. In the Parable of the soils the seed that was planted amongst the thorns was choked out.
"but the worries of this life the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things came in and choked the word making it unfruitful." Mark 4:19
It's our duty to prune the other things that would keep us from his word, from prayer, or from the church, so we don't get entangled in those things and lose sight of the light of God.
Transition: Once we enlist, we belong to Christ. There is no honorable discharge in this army. Our service is purely voluntary and our greatest desire is to please Jesus, the captain of our salvation.
Conclusion: This weekend we remember all those who fought and died to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The question I have for you is How will you be remembered? What will be your spiritual legacy once you are gone? How will your children, grandchildren, friends, and church emember your tour of duty? Will they know you as the brave soldier who fought through trial and tribulation with fervent prayer? Will they marvel at the times when God provided you what you needed at the time you needed it?
Or will your legacy be one of great potential but no service? Will you be remembered as the one who could've done great things for God but didn't? Or will you be remembered as the one who went AWOL (Absent without leave) and was never seen again?- The one who had a certain calling but that calling was never fulfilled.
Regardless, The one legacy that truly matters is the one that God remembers. How will God remember you?
Like the Babylon of Revelation 18:5 “For her sins are piled up to Heaven and God has remembered her crimes.” or like the Israelites under Babylonian captivity in Psalm 136:23 “He remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever.”?
God remembers us in our low estate that is why He sent us a Savior. In his mercy He does not remember our sins. But for those who have forsaken God, worshiped false gods, lived only for their own selves; their sins are piled up to heaven. God not only calls you out of Babylon but calls you to assist him in her destruction.
How will others remember you? How will God remember your service? Will you be a civilian lost in the world or will you be a good soldier of Jesus Christ? God is always looking for a few good men!
