Intro: On May 26th, we
celebrate Memorial Day. A day first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor those who
died in the Civil War. Now, on Memorial Day, we honor the memories of all those
who have died in the military in the service of the United States of America.
We would all do well to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to
ensure our freedom this morning. There have been hundreds of thousands of great
soldiers in this country’s history. While we honor the war dead throughout
America's history this morning, another great Soldier comes to my mind.
Jesus was a great soldier!
Today while we honor our war dead and our resurrected Warrior Jesus Christ,
there is another great group of soldiers that leaps into my mind today.
I am reminded of those in
the Christ's Army who have died on the battlefields of faith and of the legacy
they left behind. I am referring to the people mentioned in the bible, like
those in Heb. 11,
Those Great men and women of God who were good soldiers of the cross
and who died on the battlefield to preserve our precious faith. I want to honor
them as well. Perhaps this will encourage and challenge each of us to become
the best soldiers that we can be for the glory of the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
1. (THE FIRST STEP TO BEING A GOOD SOLDIER IS TO JOIN THE ARMY) (Verse 3) No one can be a soldier for the
Lord until they first get into the army. This is accomplished only through
receiving Jesus as one's Savior. Acts 16:30-31 (NKJV) 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
A. HE IS FAMILIAR (There are some things that the good soldier
knows. He is familiar with:
With The Sound Of
The Commanders’ Voice - John 10:3-5 (NKJV) 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." Do you know Him when He speaks? The
way to get more familiar with the Lord's voice is to spend more time listening
to it. You do this by getting in the Word. Read and study it. Pray to Him every day.
B. Good Soldier Has Patience - 2 Tim. 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship. Good soldier endures hardship and does
not quit. The good soldier realizes that there will be troubles along the way
and is not detoured by them. He understands that sometimes pain is often part of the
Christian experience. Jesus said in John 16:33. We will
have tribulation, but be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world.
C. Good Soldier Has His Priorities - 2 Tim. 2:4 that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. Seeks to please the Commander. Notice that the good soldier has no higher goal
in life than pleasing His Superior. The good soldier knows that anything which
interferes with his performance in the military must be done away with. The
good soldier wants to please his Superior and does whatever he has to do to get
that job done! Who comes first in your life? Whatever or whoever it is,
that is your god! Pleasing Jesus ought to be the first priority
of every child of God -
D. Good Soldier Has
The Skill Of Using His Weapons - Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- The good soldier knows that he is engaged in mortal warfare and
he knows that the only way to succeed in the fight is to be proficient in the
use of spiritual weaponry. You and I would do well to learn the art of
spiritual warfare if we intend to succeed for the glory of the Lord.
E. Good Soldier
Knows The Strategy Of The Enemy - 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The
good soldier knows that the enemy is ever active and never rests. The good
soldier knows that the enemy is shrewd and ever attacking, but he also knows
the Lord is there to help him, Heb. 13:5. The good Christian soldier needs to
be wise to the ways of the devil and he needs to know that the Lord Jesus is
greater than any enemy we will ever face. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV) 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
F. Good Soldier Fights With Other Soldiers - Hebrews 11:25 (NKJV) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
The good soldier not only cares about his own welfare, but he also
looks out for the welfare of his fellow soldiers. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. He learns about
them by being around them. There is a need for the soldiers of the Lord to
train together.
2. GOOD SOLDIERS ARE FIGHTERS - (Paul makes 3 statements in this verse that
describe the good soldier. Notice: 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
A. Good Soldier Is Determined - The good soldier does not retreat in the face of the
enemy, he does not run from a fight. Instead, he stands his ground and fights
the battle until the battle is over! Many Christian soldiers have dropped
out of the battle! 1 Timothy 1:19 (NKJV) having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.
I challenge you not be among that number!
B. Good Soldier Is
Driven - The good soldier realizes that the battle does not run according to his
time frame. He knows that another is in charge of the duration of the battle,
but the good soldier is driven to finish. 4:7b I have finished the race, The good soldier is in the battle to
the finish. Are you? What would it take to make you quit this morning? Many
Christians are about one disaster and one service away from quitting on the
Lord. Does that describe you? I challenge you to keep serving and keep
fighting!
C. Good Soldiers Practice - Guards the truths of the faith. 4:7c I have kept the faith. The good soldier takes care
of the things delivered unto him. He is determined to do a good job, and he
refuses to do anything to bring disgrace and dishonor upon his Superior. So it is with the Christian soldier. He wants to live his life in a manner that
brings honor to the Lord and not dishonor. Are you keeping the faith this morning?
D. Good Soldier's Are Dedicated - The good soldier dedicates himself to keeping his oath.
He is determined to live for the Lord regardless of the personal cost. The good
soldier keeps the faith, do you? He keeps it by living it, sharing it and
defending it all the time. The faith is precious to the good soldier and he
does everything in his power to keep it pure and undefiled.
3.A GOOD SOLDIER IS
FAITHFUL FINISHER- Look at 2 Tim. 4:7-8 above!
A. A Good Soldier Has Resolve -The good soldier is in it for the long haul. He will
fight to the end. He does not quit at the first hint of trouble. He is a
finisher. God give us Christians with the attitude of finishers. We need some
who will stay by the stuff in these days!
B. Good Soldier Has A Reason -Why does the good soldier endure hardship, stay in the
fight and follow the Leader selflessly? The good soldier knows the price that
was paid by his Superior to make a place for him in the army. The good soldier
knows his Lord loves him and that Jesus died to make a way of salvation for
him. Therefore, he loves the Lord and no price becomes too high for the good
soldier to pay.
C. Good Soldiers Have Their Reward - The good soldier finishes his course because he knows
that at the end of the war, every deed will be rewarded by the Commander in
chief. For those who stay in the battle, there will come a glad day of
blessing. They will hear the Lord say, Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)
21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
What will be
waiting you when you meet Jesus?
Conc: Are you in His army? If you have never joined the army of the Lord, then today would be a good time to make that a reality. Confess your sins and Ask Jesus to forgive those sins against God. Invite Him to come into your life and take charge of you. To those that belong to His army, Would you classify yourself as a
good soldier of the Lord? If you are like me, you probably recognize areas
where you could be a better soldier. If so, then I challenge you to come to the
Lord right now and let Him make things as they should be. When you pass from the scene, will it be said that you were a good
soldier of the Lord? It can be! But, that is up to you!
|
|
