THE GENERAL ORDERS OF THE SENTRY / CHURCH
There are many conflicts, struggles and wars recorded in the Scriptures. Because of this, God has periodically employed the use of military men to further His divine purposes and plan for the ages (Abraham, Moses, Joshua & Caleb, The Judges, The Kings).
God may have had in mind the character traits associated with being a good soldier when He choose these men for His service (courage, loyalty, obedience, leadership, etc..).
In our lifetime we have seen many conflicts (Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq). One of the shortest war’s in history was Desert storm.
The longest war has raged for thousands of years and is still in progress! It began in a garden.
This conflict is for the highest treasure of creation; the souls of men. Genesis 14:21 The king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Life involves spiritual struggle, conflict and warfare:
• 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.
• 1 Timothy 2:12 Fight the good fight of faith.
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.
Each Christian has been enlisted into the Army of God!
• Our commission is the great commission
• Our orders are to evangelize the world
• Our resources are the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, Prayer, The Church.
Every soldier entering the military receives, memorizes and is commanded to carry out what are known as The General Orders.
The Lord Jesus is our Commander & Chief; through His Word He has given us The General Orders of The Church.
GENERAL ORDER #1: Take Charge of Your Post. Our post is the world!
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
GENERAL ORDER #2: Walk Your Post In A Military Manner, Keeping Always On The Alert. This means doing it God’s way!
1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
GENERAL ORDERS #3: Report All Violations Of Orders You Are Instructed To Enforce. When you mess up - fess up! Confession is a vital part of the Christian life!
2Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
GENERAL ORDER #4: To Quit My Post Only When Properly Relieved. Don't ever Quit until properly relieved!
1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
GENERAL ORDER #5: To Receive, Obey And Pass On, All Orders From The Commanding Officer. Be a channel of God’s truth!
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Also Matthew 28:18-20
GENERAL ORDER #6: Talk To No One Except In The Line Of Duty. Make Christ first in your life!
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
GENERAL ORDER #7: To Give The Alarm In Case Of Fire Or Disorder. Be a witness!
2Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
GENERAL ORDER #8: To Call The Officer Of The Deck In Any Case Not Covered By Instruction. Learn the importance of prayer.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
GENERAL ORDER #9: To Salute All Officers, All Colors & Standards Not Cased. Honor those in authority over you!
Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
GENERAL ORDER #10: To Be Especially Watchful At Night, And During The Time Of Challenging. You have an adversary who is always seeking opportunity to destroy!
1Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
CONCLUSION:
Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
