God’s Veterans
Gal 6:17
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Veteran-Military experienced soldier: somebody who has been a member of one of the armed forces for many years and has seen a great deal of active service, a veteran of three foreign wars
We have many veterans in this place tonight who have fought in many battles and weathered many storms.
Been in a battle lately?
Some of you have some major warfare going on right now. But if you will approach and endure your warfare righteously , the captain of your salvation will lead the way and will conquer.
2 Cor 10:3-6
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
NIV
There have been many of military veterans who have served, but never in any combat situations.
But every Christian has been in a combat situation. Whether fighting for righteousness or warring against sicknesses, financial struggles, and a host of other enemies.
Just to encourage you tonight, there has never been a faithful Christian who has lost a war. A few battles maybe, but never a war.
Unfaithfulness causes casualties.
I do not want to be a casualty, as was Samson, Demas, Ananias and Sapphira, and some others.
Paul said,
2 Tim 4:7-9
7 I have fought a good fight
2 Cor 11:23-29
23 …in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
1 Tim 1:18-19
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, … war a good warfare;
I believe Paul would tell us tonight to know who we are fighting.
1 Cor 9:26
…so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
Eph 6:12-18
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour 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, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
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, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
He ought to know because he was very familiar with warfare.
Gal 6:17
…bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
My losses have been few. Why?
2 Cor 10:4
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
1 John 4:4
…and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Rom 8:31
If God be for us, who can be against us?
1 Tim 6:12
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
2 Tim 4:7-9
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
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.
Veterans will fill heaven’s city and as I preached last Sunday night, I plan on fighting my way there.
How about you?
Need help? Lets pray.
