0598 Strong Soldier

Strong Soldier 2 Tim.2:1-4 Soldier - dedication to war // dedication Athlete - play according to rules // discipline Farmer - hardworking // diligence String in the Grace Before I met Jesus, I could not rely on my strength but now, I have been with Jesus, I can rely on it Your strength is perfect weakness, it will fail you in time of temptation Endure Hardship - Soldiers have hardship (fellowship, friendship, worship - ship gets wreck) - Being good at this, does not give me a pass to avoid them - Pit verses Valley - walk, get me out (Egypt verses Wilderness) (power verses presence) Engage in War - Not everything is war (youth pastor with problems) - War is hard, not everything that's hard is war - Dont get entangled in life that you miss war (visible blinds us from invisible) - Your first trap is not sin but life (treasure vs retirement; earth vs heaven; angels vs security; avoids fight; enemy does not exist; temptation of enemy ---shadow, vapor, grass....not our home) - Paul would call her evangelist, Samuel would anoint wrong king - Focus is to please Jesus - redefined winning is pleasing not conquering (Satan is defeated, but Jesus is not pleased) - Goal is not to win but to please Jesus Jeremiah 21:1-10 (Zedekiah) He left Jerusalem but avoided surrendering to Babylon Left sin, avoided surrender