Tour of Duty

2 Timothy 2:1–4 NKJV

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Tour of Duty

The “Tour of Duty” television series was about an American army platoon in South Vietnam. The series ran for three seasons, from September 24, 1987, to April 28, 1990.

For military personnel, a tour of duty is usually a period of time spent in combat or in a hostile environment. In an army, for instance, soldiers on active duty serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the length of their service commitment. Soldiers in World War II were deployed for the entire war and could be in active service for 4–5 years. (Wikipedia “Tour of Duty”)

This world is not a vacation resort

Most Christians act like tourists rather than soldiers.

We often act like we are on a cruise ship rather than a battleship.

This world is a spiritual war zone

Are you experiencing the heat of the battle?

We exist in a war between two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God

Both have a prince.

Satan: The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).

Jesus: The Prince of Peace and the Prince of Life (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 3:15; 5:31).

Both have an army.

Satan’s army (Ephesians 6:12)

Jesus came to bring peace to the chaos.

Matthew 10:34 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

PEACE (Shalom): The word pictures for the Hebrew “Shalom” reveal the following meaning: “To destroy the authority that secures chaos” [Frank T. Seekings, Hebrew Word Pictures (Phoenix: Living Word Pictures, Inc.; 1994)]

Jesus gives us His peace.

John 14:27 NKJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus came to bear witness to the truth.

John 18:37 NKJV

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

Satan deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9).

Jesus enlisted us as soldiers

As soldiers, we are called to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).

Our enlistment is for a lifetime.

Our assignment is to fulfill Christ’s commission.

Our deployment is our tour of duty.

Our task is to enforce Christ’s victory (Matthew 28:18-20).

Our goal is to please Him who enlisted us (2 Timothy 2:4).

Families are boot camps to prepare the next generation of soldiers (Psalm 127:4-5).

Local churches are Christ’s military bases.

Local congregations are local platoons of soldiers led by Christ’s pastoral lieutenants.

Tour of Duty Complete

We are to fight until the victory of peace is secured or until He calls us home.

Hebrews 11:13–16 NKJV

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Every faithful soldier will be awarded a tribute of honor, a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

On the final day of victory, Jesus will present the kingdom to His Father.

1 Corinthians 15:24 NKJV

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

In that Day, Jesus will be glorified in His saints (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

Response to the Word

Have you been transferred from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ?

Are you living as a tourist or as a soldier?

Are you living to please the One who enlisted you as a soldier?

What has Christ asked of you?