A Good Soldier
2 Timothy 2:1-7
Intro.
Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day
- I am so grateful to and for the men and women who have served our country in the armed services.
-On Veteran’s day, we honor the living, on Memorial.Day, we honor those who have
fallen.
Our veterans deserve to be honored.
- Nephew, Jesse served two tours in Afghanistan.
2 Timothy 2:3 says that we are to “endure hardness as a good solder of Jesus Christ.”
The Marks of a good soldier.??I. A good soldier is a good follower
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
gospel’s, the same shall save it.
A. No one can be a good leader who cannot first be a good follower.
B. In the military there is almost always someone in rank above you, whose orders you must follow.
C. You are taught to follow orders.
1. Immediately
2. Without question
3. Refusal in not allowed
D. Following Jesus is not an option, it is command.
E. What Jesus commands us, we must do it.
1. No matter how hard.
2. No matter the consequences
3. Just do it! ??II. A good soldier is A Fighter.
A. He is trained and taught to fight when necessary.
B. His is courageous. he must not cower or retreat in the face of the enemy.
1. Twice God told Joshua
Josh. 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the
book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
2. God tells all believers
Psa. 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the
LORD.
C. The Bible tells us to “Fight the good fight of faith”
1Tim. 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.
1. Fight - Don’t let up
2. Fight - It’s a command, not a suggestion
D. Like the dog solders of the Cheyenne tribe
1. They did not give up
2. They stood their ground
E. We must fight, we must take our stand
1. We should not be in a fight with other Christians.
2. The devil is our enemy.
1Pet. 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
??III. A good soldier is familiar.
A. He is familiar with the strategy of the enemy.
Corinthians 2:11…for we are not ignorant of his devices.
1. We know he is a deceiver
2 We know he is a distracter
3. We know he is a destroyer
B. He is familiar with the his weapons
1. His sword (The Word of God, Eph. 6:17)
Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God:
2. His armor (The armor of God, Eph. 6:10-18)
C. A good soldier is familiar with his friends
1. The good soldier is not only looking out for himself, but also for his friends–
2. There is a mutual need for being close to other
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works:??IV. A good soldier Is Faithful.
1. He remains true even when he must “endure hardness” as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
(2 Tim.2:3).
2. That expression means, “to take one’s share of rough treatment; to suffer or endure
affliction together.”
3. It actually means to “suffer hardship incompany with”—the good soldier is always true and loyal.
3. He is faithful in peace
4. He is faithful in war.
5. He is faithful to the end.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to
be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Conclusion
On this Veteran’s, make a commitment to be a good soldier for the Lord.
1. Be good follower of Jesus Christ.
2. Be strong in the fight
3. Be familiar with your weapons
4. Be faithful till the end
ENDURE HARDNESS AS A GOOD SOLDIER.
