Church as Military

Introduction

I think we live in a precarious and volatile state today and in no ways am I preaching this metaphor of the church as a means to a current end in light of the war happening now in the Middle East. I had this metaphor connected with Ps. Emily’s parade of armoured soldiers coming down today with the Full Armour of God!

Thinking that I would unpack the helmet of salvation, belt of truth, shield of faith and all its own contextual etymological stories, It would negate the the purpose of the sermon. The sermon is on the “church” as a military group or unit, made up of these individual armoured soldiers.

As some of you know, I served in the army for about 2 years and before that I was an army cadet of 5 years. It took some time this week as I thought of my own personal story and training to come to you this morning with 3 key characteristics of a heathy military unit of soldiers.

TRAINING//DISCIPLESHIP

1 Timothy 4:6–16 ESV

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

When I was 13, I really struggled in my self -esteem and worth. I was depressive and saw that I was overweight and under sized (puberty had hit yet). I felt pitiful and worthless. I knew nothing and that I wasn't like so many other guys where they played hockey or hunted. I had nothing.

This would have been a great time to introduce me to a youth ministry. I would have gone and who knows? Instead, I was invited to join an army cadet corps.

My first weeks was being ordered around and given a whole bunch of kit. Immediately the NCO’s and officers started to input in me. Called me by my new name “THWAITES”. Bullies were making fun of John but here I was given a new name to live by: “Thwaites”. I wanted to get a haircut. There were rules and regs on that. There were regs on my uniform and boots. I wanted to go to bushcraft weekends. I wanted to do the hours of drill and parade.

Some people spin out b/c it’s to harsh, but for my ADHD, this was heaven. My days and weeks were filled with new things and skills but I got the high structure that I needed.

I was been called out, invested into and released into new areas that I never imagined I could be in!

The Apostle Paul is doing the same thing here with this new young pastor, Timothy. Timothy was to be deployed to pastor the church in Ephesus. A city know as a “spiritual Disneyland”, where truth and reality was fluid and fickle.

Paul charges Timothy to stick like “Crazy Glue” to the truth & good doctrine that he was “trained” to and not have any connection with frivolous and irreverent “truths” that are circling all the rides at the “spiritual Disneyland”.

Paul reminds him to his calling to godliness and that regardless of his age and maturity, to set an example thru his speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. This was the higher calling of those not following but being set out as a leader.

Watch your life and doctrine closely, practice all that you have been trained to do because it will save you and those around you.

Sounds all very military doesn't it?

My friend Bobby left the military and joined the RCMP. He told me his first day on the job at the Enoch Native reserve. In a whirlwind of emotions and activity, Bobby had to remember his training. His training “kicked in”

Training and discipleship is vital!

Biblical and theological training is crucial. We are illiterate and lacking in this department.

How we live out this Christian New redeemed life is so important. Our pursuit of godliness in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity will set us apart from the world.

The world asks us, why are you so different (good) not (evil)? It’s because of my relationship with God the Father, Son and Spirit.

At 13 years old, I started my military training and by the time I got to 18-19 years old, the amount of skills and life experiences that has helped shape my life is enormous! It gave me purpose. It gave my life meaning and I started to believe in myself and have self-worth and esteem. I stood up to my bullies. I stood up for myself.

This all can be said about people coming into the church and being regular on-going proactive members of the Church versus the sojourner wandering in and out of church, sucking the life and food that they need and never really engaging in the life of the corps. They become these weak, alien weekend warriors.

HIGHER CALLING

After I did my QL3, Basic bootcamp, I came back to my home town now a fully fledged Canadian Armed Forces soldier. Sadly I wrestled with arrogance, as I thought I was above all the others around me. “These lowly civilians!”, i thought. “If only they knew the stuff we as soldiers have to do for Canada if we go into combat...”

It was this I’m better than you arrogance that later got crushed as shortly after, I left the military as i thought I would be a “lifer” for college.

Let’s look into this tho...

2 Timothy 2:1–4 ESV

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Paul again challenges Timothy to this Higher calling as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. Not to look down at or be involved with those in the church and all those that are stirring up dissensions and divisions but, like a soldier not to get tangled up with the civilian/worldly pursuits. Keep your eyes on the prize!

Hebrews 12:1–4 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

We too today need to always be thinking what is the best deployment for us as a church for mission.

We are, like soldiers, to be mission ready. To be able to share the Gospel at a moments notice.

Arrow Class - BGEA training

We had to be able to share the Gospel with a 4 minute conversation.

We are not to build an insular, holy huddle like group but like an army force, deploy into active duty for the sake of the Gospel.

Like Paul says to Timothy, “our aim” is to please the one that enlisted us!

Brotherhood of Arms//UNIT

One night, after being up for 60 plus hours, digging our trench in desert heat and freezing and keeping awake and focused on night patrols. There was a moment I realised that when it was my time to sleep and the guy beside me said that “he’s got my 6” I was able to surrender for a brief few hours and get some sleep. Knowing that in those brief minutes or hours of sleep, an enemy combatant started to advance on our trench, my brother would protect me as I wake from hearing a M16 start shooting at a location in front of us.

“I got your 6!”

“I got your back”

Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Let’s be brutally honest, we live in a culture that doesn't do this.

Flee

Fight

Freeze

Majority of the time we say with our lips that “I got your 6” but when not “if”, but when things go pear shaped and when trauma and drama hits us, so many of us run. We distance ourselves. We don’t own up to our responsibilities and feign that we don’t recollect anything...

This is one thing from my military background that has helped all our ministries over the years. When I say to someone, “I got you” I really mean it!

The culture at South City C3 is the same way by the grace of God. “We as a unit of these soldiers, knowing our training, understanding the high call, we say “We got you”.

Better than that:

“We aim to please our Enlister, Jesus, and so if he’s got you, then we will strive to do so as well!”

HBO’s “Band of Brothers” TV series had an episode that reminded me of the church as the new recruits were to run up Currahee Summit. They never left a man behind. They would drag those that were hurting up and down that hill all singing the Currahee song!

https://youtu.be/NktweBFe8G8?si=b3Zu8q5wrh3kELsZ

Some might freeze, like my friend Bobby, but hopefully the “training will kick in!” and they will re-engage with the church.

Some, just giving lip service and is only there to be consume, will leave and not engage. “It’s not my fight.” Hopefully those people here will come to me and ask how to get military fit? How do i get mission - ready? Help me with the training?

Battle Belongs to the LORD

As Paul shares in the last passage that we do not fight in flesh and blood but there is a war for our souls in the spiritual realm. God enlists us to be his soldiers for the Gospel.

Canada was a regular force that deployed their soldiers to be involved in UN Peacekeeping. That was my hope and dream. It was never to go into combat and kill people. I wanted to wear the blue beret and help with humanitarian missions of mercy and peace.

This is our call as followers of Jesus. Wear the blue beret for Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on him. Be his mission force to be used for Justice, Peace, Hope, Faith & Love.

This is the call for the church. This is the call for our church.

Membership Class today!

Right after the service, join me down here at the front row with your coffee and I will be holding a short membership korero.