2 Timothy 2:1-4 Veterans day 11/6/16
At 5:00 in the morning on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France, the Armistice was signed which ended WW1. This day was first known as Armistice Day. Later it was changed to Veterans day. It is a day that has been set aside to honor ALL VETERANS, both living and dead who have served in the military of the United States of America.
PLAY VIDEO AND ASK EACH VETERAN TO STAND WHEN THEIR SONG IS PLAYED.
These men and women are my heroes. I’m serious. I’m not just saying this to make a point. They all sacrificed their time, their own wants, and some even their health to serve the United States of America. By serving the United States of America, they served you and I. ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL!!! I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK EACH ONE OF THEM FOR THEIR SACRIFICE FOR YOU AND I.
It has been said and it is so true today...
It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
Our church has just a small momento to give each one of our VETERANS and it is my HONOR and PRIVILEGE to present these to each one of them today.
The definition of a VETERAN when it comes to these men and women who have stood before you today is: a person who has served in the military.
I’m sure if some you young folks are thinking of joining the military you could talk to some of these Veterans here today and they could give you some good advice. Veterans of WW2 all the way up through the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and the Gulf wars.
They would probably HAVE AN OPINION on which branch you should join.
What you need to do to get yourself in the Physical Condition to be prepared for Boot Camp.
Mentally how to prepare yourself.
Just what to expect.
This passage of scripture that we’re going to read today was written by a man who was a VETERAN in the Army of the Lord. The Apostle Paul had fought many battles. These battles had been fought for the Lord Jesus Christ. He, no doubt, bore the scars from these fights. He had been beaten, whipped and stoned throughout his years of service.
You see, another definiton of VETERAN is:
a person who has had long experience in a particular field.
The Apostle Paul preached for over 30 years before he was martyred at the hands of Nero, the Roman emperor. HE WAS A VETERAN IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD. He was nearing the end of his life and he wanted to pass some advice down to young Timothy. A young recruit in the army of the Lord. A young soldier preparing for battle.
Some of you that are young soldiers in the Army of the Lord can get some great advice from some of these OLD VETERANS of the Army of the Lord here today. Men and women who have served the Lord Jesus Christ for many years. Some probably can tell you about some hard times that they experienced in the service of the Lord but I bet every one of them would say “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”
Let’s read 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.”
Brother _____ lead us in prayer.
I. Be strong.
Now Paul tells Timothy here in this first verse to be strong.
NOT in Physical Strength. That, no doubt, is a requirement for the U.S. military but it’s not a requirement for the Army of the Lord. To be honest, I have heard horror stories of Boot Camp. Boot camp is meant to strengthen both physically and mentally.
It’s NOT a requirement to be strong in Academic Strength. To move up in the ranks of the military you have to be educated. I have two good friends that are twin brothers. They both retired from the U.S. army as Full Bird Colonels. They both have Masters Degrees. They both are very intelligent.
But that is NOT a requirement to serve in the army of the Lord.
Paul tells Timothy here to be STRONG in what? In the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus.
GRACE IS THE UNMERITED FAVOR OF GOD.
We sing about how AMAZING GRACE really is.
God’s GRACE, HIS UNMERITED FAVOR is with us throughout every stage of life.
Throughout every BATTLE that we face.
Throughout every TRIAL that comes along.
Throughout every TEMPTATION that crosses our path.
God’s GRACE is there for the asking.
JUST LIKE EVERY SOLDIER NEEDS THE BACKING AND THE SUPPORT OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WE AS CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS FIGHTING IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD HAVE THE BACKING OF THE GOD WHO CREATED THIS UNIVERSE.
We have His Grace. Paul tells Timothy to be strong in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus.
God’s Grace comes from no other source.
It dosen’t come from POSITIVE THINKING.
Not from HIREY CHRISTNA
BUDDHA or ALLAH. Paul tells Timothy it is IN Christ Jesus.
So many in this world search for strength within themselves. They will never find it. You can only find strength in Jesus Christ.
II. Commit.
Now COMMIT can mean several things but the way Paul uses it here means:
To give over (something) to another for care, protection, or performance:
To give as a trust to someone.
After reading these definitions can I give you my definition of commit. JUST PASS IT ON BROTHER.
When you read through the books of First and Second Timothy, you can see all of the advice, information, teaching and MOST IMPORTANTLY LOVE that Paul had given to Timothy. He thought of Timothy like a son. He probably longed for the day when he could set down with Timothy on the streets of gold and just talk. Who knows, they may be up there talking right now.
But here, in the short time that Paul had left on this earth he wanted to commit to Timothy things that he had learned and then he wanted Timothy to pass it on.
1. My mom and dad are getting older. Up in their 80’s now. They are OLD VETERANS in the Army of the Lord. And lately I have been thinking about the things they have taught me. The things that they have passed down on to me.
2. Other Great Heroes of the Faith. I can look across the sanctuary today and see so many here. I would name some of you all but I’m afraid I might leave someone out. This room is full of VETERANS. Great Soldiers of the Cross.
3. Great men and women of God who have passed on their knowledge of the SCRIPTURES.
4. GREAT SAINTS of God, SOLDIERS in the ARMY of the Lord who have shared their TESTIMONIES of all the GREAT THINGS that God has done in their LIFE. THEY HAVE PASSED ON HIS GRACE to so many people.
5. Great SOLDIERS who have already gone on who have made such a impact on my own life. Like Brother Cliff Goins, Sister Reatha Haas, Bill and Marilee McCloud, Grandma Nail. They weren’t neccessarily strong or educated but they PASSED ON GOD’S GRACE to me and others. THAT’S WHAT A GOOD SOLDIER OF THE CROSS DOES.
I’m not that old. Back 200 years ago a 50 year old guy was considered fairly old but in this day I’m just a middle aged man. I could have a lot of years left. Only God knows. But I want to tell you something. The things that I have learned these last 50 years....I want to pass them on. I’m certainly not the STRONGEST, nor the SMARTEST, but I want to do my best to COMMIT to others what others have COMMITTED to ME. I want to pass it on.
III. Endure
Verse 3 says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Nobody said it would be easy. I remember Rachel’s stepdad years ago told me about his time in the Marine Corps. He said, “It’s something I wouldn’t take a million dollars not to have done but I wouldn’t take a million dollars to do it again.”
Military life can be really hard. I bet if I was to ask some of these VETERANS setting here today, “What is the hardest thing you have ever done, they would say, serving in the military.”
Some United States veterans spent days without food and water.
Some were captured and tortured.
Some faced hand-to-hand combat.
But through it all they ENDURED, they OVERCAME, they WON. They were VICTORIOUS.
We as soldiers of the Cross may be called upon to ENDURE HARDSHIPS just as many have in the past. Of all the DISCIPLES, John was the only one to die a natural death. He still faced great persecution and was exiled on the Island of Patmos.
Missionaries even today face GREAT HARDSHIPS on the MISSION FIELD.
ILLUS: Joe Scriven was a missionary from Ireland to Canada, working among the Iroquois Indians. He was joined by his fiancé who was also from Ireland. Just before the wedding, she was killed in an ice accident. Joe buried her with his own hands, and a broken heart. A year later, in a letter to his mother, he reflected,
"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer." Joe was on the road to triumph, even though there were times when the road was rough.
ILLUS: John and Kay Metcalf
IV. Stay focused.
Then in Verse 4 the Old Veteran of the Cross gives Timothy another piece of advice.
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life”
Do you get what he’s saying here? STAY FOCUSED. Keep your eyes straight ahead and don’t let things DISTRACT YOU.
I love what Paul tells the Church at Philippi in Philippians 3:14-17
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
Verse 14 is a familiar scripture to all of us. Paul says that he himself presses toward the mark for the PRIZE of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus. He keeps his eye on the GOAL. He dosen’t let the things going on around him distract him. That’s a GREAT VERSE but I want us to look at the next three verses.
Verse 15 he says those that are mature need to be the same way.
Verse 16 he says we need to walk by the same rule as he does.
Then in Verse 17 he says, “If you see someone with the same idea as him, let them along with Paul be an example.
I believe this has got to be one of the best pieces of advice that Paul gives to you and I today. Just as a soldier in the ARMY of the United States of America MUST be on guard against those things that would DISTRACT him or her from doing their JOB, their DUTY, we as Christians MUST be on GUARD against those things that might come up to distract us from our JOB, our DUTY to our Commander and Chief.
OUR ENEMY, the devil is a MASTER at bringing up things in our life to get our eyes off the goal.
In Chapter 4 of this same book, Paul is all alone in prison. He is getting ready to face the executioners block. In his time of GREATEST NEED he has only Luke there with him. Verse 10 is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. Invision this with me: There hungry, cold, preaparing for death and this is what it says, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;”
Paul says to not let the things of the world entangle you. Stay focused. Don’t be like Demas.
V. The GOAL.
Lastly Paul tells us the goal. To please the Commander. Last part of verse 4.
“that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
There are several men and women here today that have raised their right hand and sworn this oath.
“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
There is only ONE SUPREME COMMANDER over all branches of the United Staes military. It is the President of the United States. Every single soldier from the highest ranking enlisted man to the highest ranking officer has sworn an oath to obey his orders. Man, at times, that has to be hard. But it’s part of being in the military of the United States of America.
Ray Jordan told me as he was leaving the military after having served in WWII, one of his discharge officers told him “You are leaving the greatest fighting force ever known to man.” Folks, that is our U.S. military. And the PRESIDENT is the one in charge.
We are going to vote for the next Supreme Commander in two days. It is no doubt one of the most important elections of our lifetime. And one of the reasons among many is the fact that the PRESIDENT is in charge of our military. I urge you all to take the time to pray and ask God how He would have you vote.
Paul tells Timothy here to do all of the things listed above.
1. Be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2. Commit the Gospel to others.
3. Endure Hardness.
4. And stay focused.
Why? “that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
So that we may please the one who has called us. Who has called us?
The Supreme Creator of this universe. God is the Commander-and-Chief.
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
You have been called into the army of the Lord Jesus Christ. It tells us in John 12:32 that He is drawing all men to Him. Now you have a choice to make. What will you do with that call?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says this,
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
As you sit here today you have been called into the Army of the Lord. And it is your duty to obey the Commander.
Let me ask you,
Are you strong in the Grace that is found in Christ?
Are you committing the Gospel to others?
Are you enduring hardness or are you in retreat mode?
Are you staying FOCUSED on what is really important?
Finally, are you answering the Call of the Lord Jesus Christ? Whose side are you on?
ILLUS: During the US civil war Abraham Lincoln was the Commander-in-Chief of the Union Forces. It was a great burden knowing that his orders would put many lives at jeoparady. One morning he met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. The different ministers spoke about the different needs that they must pray for and one of them said, “Mr President, let us pray that God is on our side.” Lincoln’s response showed far greater insight, “No, gentlemen, let us pray that we are on God’s side.”
ILLUS: In 1951, the Old Veteran Soldier, General Douglas MacArthur, gave a speech to a joint session of congress. He closed the speech by saying “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” I thought about that Old Battle Hardened Soldier of the Cross, the Apostle Paul, there in that Roman cell. HE DID DIE. But 2000 years later his words have NOT faded away. They are just as powerful today as they were when he said…
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
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.”
Let’s Pray
