A SOLDIERS MENTALITY

A Soldiers Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do great things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed.1 THE PURPOSE OF 2 TIMOTHY (Source: 1 Jones, G. C. (1986). 1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (pp. 298–299). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers).

When he writes his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul is in Jail and he fully expects to die soon. He had been mistreated by some of his Christian friends. Those friends who had remained true to him were away doing ministry in other places. For most us a jail sentence, a pending death notice, loneliness and isolation would be too much to bear. However, despite his imprisonment and the likelihood of death, Paul was not thinking about himself or his own situation. Paul was not discouraged. In Chapter 2 verse 9, he tells Timothy, I may be chained, but “God’s word is not chained” (2:9). So despite of his personal struggles, Paul writes to encourage Timothy, his younger colleague, who was in the midst of ministering to the problem ridden church at Ephesus. Some in Ephesus who had made a decision to live for Christ had defected and returned to the old ways.

In 1 Timothy 1:20, we learn of a troublemaker in Ephesus by the name Hymeneus, who was excommunicated, however, he was still spreading his sinister teaching among the faithful disciples. And this is the situation confronting, Timothy a young timid reticent minister and colleague of the Apostle Paul. So Paul is writing to strengthen Timothy and to give him advice about how to deal with the problems in the Church at Ephesus. Paul realizes that sometimes the problem is not the issue. For truth be told you will have challenges and problems for the rest of your life. Paul realizes that his biggest challenge is toughen Timothy. Recall that Paul is getting ready to die. So he was preparing Timothy to carry on the work of Christ even after he was gone. In our text Paul gives Timothy 3 illustrations to help me buck and be strong. He charges Timothy to in verse 3: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. THE SOLDIER First, says to Timothy my young, you have to be soldier and sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ. Paul often used the solider and military metaphors in his writings: · He told Timothy to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18). · He called Archippus, who hosted a church in his home, a “fellow soldier” (Philemon 2). · He likewise called Epaphroditus, the gentle messenger to the church at Philippi, a “fellow soldier” (Philippians 2:25). · In Ephesians 6 Paul used each article of the soldier’s armament as an object lesson for spiritual warfare (vv. 10–18). What is Paul saying: The image of soldiering suggested awesome qualities: Proverbial obedience and deep loyalty. A soldier must never abandon his post, no matter how difficult the circumstance. A solider has to be willing to stay on the battlefield even if that means he has to die. So what Paul is saying to Timothy is. Timothy, join in suffering with us and suffer with Christ. Join us in obedience to God and serving God, not matter how difficult the circumstance. Join us in unflagging loyalty. Join us in sacrificing even if that means dying.” When you are soldier, you are a soldier. You can’t be a soldier and sometime else at the same time. Paul told Timothy to not entangle himself with the affairs of this world. “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—that if he wants to please his commanding officer” In Paul’s day there was something known as the Roman code of Theodosius which stated:

“We forbid men engaged in military service to engage in civilian occupations.” In order to be a good soldier you have to possess single- mindedness. Single-mindedness, the ability to focus, to shut everything out when necessary, is the key to success in virtually every area of life. In order to be a soldier in God’s army, you have to be singled-minded. You have to avoid anything that will hinder single-minded dedication to his Master. Paul put it this way to the Philippians: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (3:13, 14). Paul was fervent! The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon expressed it this way: Up, I pray you now. By him whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and yet were wet with tears, by him on whose head are many crowns, and who yet wore the crown of thorns, by him who is

King of kings and Lord of lords, and yet bowed his head to death for you, resolve that to life’s latest breath you will spend and be spent for his praise. The Lord grant that there may be many such in this church—good soldiers of Jesus Christ. THE ATHLETE Next Paul tells Timothy you have to be athlete. “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules” (v. 5). The word “similarly” suggest that Paul is comparing the Athlete to the Soldier. Ancient athletes who participated in the Olympiad first had to complete a required ten-month training period and then swear an oath that they had done it. Those were the rules. And very likely this is what “according to the rules” references. So Paul says again that there must be single-minded, wholehearted discipline. The truth is, none of us will get anywhere without this in any area of life.

Josephus, the Jewish historian of that time, described the Roman soldier thus: Each soldier every day throws all his energy into his drill, as though he were in action. Hence that perfect ease with which they sustain the shock of battle: no confusion breaks their customary formation, no panic paralyzes, no fatigue exhausts them. Roman troops were a model of discipline, and because of that discipline, they were unbeatable. Such ideas were in Paul’s mind when he chose the image of the soldier to describe the servant of Christ. THE FARMER The third analogy is from agriculture and takes a different but complementary direction: “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops” (v. 6). Farming is hard work today, and it was especially hard in the first century. The farmer’s life involved: 1) early and long hours because he could not afford to lose time;

2) constant toil (plowing, sowing, tending, weeding, reaping, storing);

3) regular disappointments—frosts, pests, and disease;

4) much patience—everything happened at less than slow motion; and

5) boredom. Of course Paul was speaking by analogy about the hard work of spiritual ministry. The ministry of the gospel requires strain, struggle, and diligence—all of which are akin to suffering. Diligent people are better at suffering. But note: The hardworker will be first in line for the reward, and the reward will far outweigh the toil. Because of this, Paul would tell theCorinthians, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).3 (Source: 3 Hughes, R. K., & Chapell, B. (2000). 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: to guard the deposit (pp. 194–196). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books).

THE CELEBRATION Calling in Support I am a soldier. Soldiers on the ground can call air-support in times of need. All you have to do is get on their radio, make their request known and before you know help is on the way. I’m a Christian soldiers and I can call on my heavenly father for support in the time of need. He is a very present in the time of trouble. Christian Soldiers I’m a soldier. When you enlist in the military, you give Uncle Sam your name, but you are a soldier in name only. In order to be a real soldier you have to go through basic training. After basic training you have specialized. I stopped by to let you know that boot camp is over. Basic training is finished. I am a soldier. The Bible is my manual and the Holy Ghost is my drill instructor. I’m a soldier. I am not missing in action.

I am not AWOL (Absent without leave). I will not abandon my post. I’m not ready to be discharged. I’m a soldier. When bullets start flying, I’m a soldier. I’m a soldier and this thing is for real. There is war going on. There are bullets flying. I’m a soldier. I will serve where God wants me to serve. If he needs me in infantry – here I am. If he needs me in artillery – here I am. If he needs me in Armory – here I am. If he needs me in Engineering – here I am. If he needs me to teach, here I am. If he needs me to cut the grass, here I am. If he needs me to clean the toilet, here I am. If he needs me to spread the gospel, here I am. I’m a Soldier and I have AnUrgentMission

There is a battle going on and soldiers aredying. God has commissioned me to take an urgent message to the frontline as quick as I can. I saluated my caption and “I, I, Sir.” I’m a soldier. We’ve got to tell that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. I’m not just a soldier. I’m a sniper. Snipers are good shooters and you don’t see them until its too late. Snipers are patient and they will wait until the right moment to fire a shot. A sniper uses a long-range rifle with a silencer on it. A good sniper does not waste bullets – every shot must hit its target. I’m a prayer sniper – my prayers are long range, they hit the right target, the disarm my enemies. Everytime I get down on my knees, I’m firing a shot.

I’m a soldier. Eyes front. Shoulder up. Back straight. I heard my drill instructor said. ‘Don’t eyeball me, soldier - keep your eyes to the front.’ As a soldier don’t look at other people. Don’t look at the situation. Eyes front. Keep on eyes on the Master. I will look to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord. I’m a soldier. Some of my fellows solider have become POW’s (Prisoners of War). I’m a soldier. It’s time for us to go into the enemies camp and bring back the captives.

There are too many of our soldiers who are in the Devil’s kingdom. I’m a singing marching soldier. I’m a soldier. Singing my cadence. Uttering my cants. I sing for the timing. I sing to get in step. I sing to focus my mind on the goal. I sing for courage. I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free. I sing because his eye is on the sparrow and I know my God watches me. I’m a soldier. I may lose a few battles, But I will win the war. I’m a soldier.

Every soldier has orders. Every soldier has to read the order and follow the order. I get my order from the Word of God. I’m soldier. Tests Every soldier has to pass the PFT. The Physical Fitness Test. Test are designed to see if we are fit and ready for battle. I’m soldier and my captain has put me to the test. Why does God test us? He already knows our capabilities. He test me to help me gain confidence and to demonstrate to myself and others that we can handle certain situations. David fought off numerous predatory animals before he faced Goliath. Elijah had to face the drying up Brook before he fought on Mount Carmel. Abraham had to sacrifice Isaac before he became the Father of his people.

You have to face the test, but that’s alright because God doesn’t test us beyond what we can handle. If we happen to fail, God in grace will allow us to try again. Glory Seeking Every nations decorated its heroes. But I am not in army to get a medal or to receive an award. A Good soldier fights because he loves his country. I fight because I love my savior. I am a soldier. Problems don’t deter me. Struggles can’t hinder. The devil can’t discourage me. Man can’t detract me. I’m a soldier. I’ll serve him in good times. I’ll serve him in bad times. I am a soldier in the army of my God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer! The Holy Bible is my code of conduct!

Faith, prayer and the word are my weapons of warfare! I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire! I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this Army; · but I will not get out, sell out, · be talked out or pushed out! I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable! If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me in Sunday School, to teach children, work with youth, help adults or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there! I am asoldier! I am not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up! I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me!

I am asoldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts! I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to! I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around! I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside! I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit! When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing! If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even! I will win! My God will supply all my needs! I am more than a conqueror!

I will always triumph!

I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me!

People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me!

Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me!

Money cannot buy me!

Governments cannot silence me and HELL CANNOT HANDLE ME!

I am asoldier!

Even death cannot destroy me!

For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him!

You see, I’m a good man – not because of MY goodness, but because of HIS goodness!