Descriptions For The People of God: Soldiers

I. We Are Soldiers

a. Philippians 2:25

Philippians 2:25 NKJV

Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;

b. Philemon 2

Philemon 2 NKJV

to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

c. 2 Timothy 2:3–4

2 Timothy 2:3–4 NKJV

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.

d. Eph.6:10ff​

Ephesians 6:10ff NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

II. We Are In A Battle

a. The Christian’s Life is A Battleground, Not A Playground​

- 1 Tim.6:12​

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

- 1 Tim.1:18

1 Timothy 1:18 NKJV

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

b. Our Enemy is Satan​​

- 1 Peter 5:8 – “your adversary the devil”​

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

- Eph.6:11 – “the wiles of the devil”​

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

- Our enemy is wily and scheming ​

- He has the world at his disposal ​

A. Eph.6:12​

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

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.

B. 1 John 5:19

1 John 5:19 NKJV

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

c. The Battle Is Spiritual​​

- Eph.6:12 – “do not wrestle against flesh and blood”​

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

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.

- 2 Cor.10:3-4

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 NKJV

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

d. The Consequences Are Eternal ​

- 1 Tim.6:12​

1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

- 2 Tim.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.

e. The Weapons Are Powerful​​​

- Eph.6:10; 2 Cor.10:3-4​

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 NKJV

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

f. Victory is Possible ​

- Eph.6:10, 13,16

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

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.

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

III.We Must Put On The Armor​

a. Gird Your Waist with Truth – Eph.6:14

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

- Girdle – held everything in place

- Without Truth cannot stand against Satan – Jn.8:31-32

John 8:31–32 NKJV

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

b. Breastplate of Righteousness

- Eph.6:14

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

- Righteousness – application of truth

- Acts 10:34-35; Lk.1:6

Acts 10:34–35 NKJV

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Luke 1:6 NKJV

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

c. Shod Feet with the Preparation of the Gospel

- Sandals had cleats – helped stand on slippery surfaces

- 2 Tim.2:2-4

2 Timothy 2:2–4 NKJV

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.

- 1 Cor.15:58

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

d. Shield of Faith

- 1 John 5:4

1 John 5:4 NKJV

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

- We Must Be Convicted in the Truth of God’s Word

- Romans 4:20-21

Romans 4:20–21 NKJV

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

e. Helmet of Salvation

- Our Hope of Salvation

- Heb.6:19-20 – an anchor

Hebrews 6:19–20 NKJV

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

- Col.1:4-5

Colossians 1:4–5 NKJV

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

- 2 Tim.1:12

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

f. The Sword of the Spirit

- Our only offensive weapon

- Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

- Jesus used it – Matt.4:1-11

Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

- Psalms 119:11,98

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:98 NKJV

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

g. Prayer

- Prayer Is Our Means of Communicating w/ Our Master

- 1 John 3:22

1 John 3:22 NKJV

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

- Heb.4:15-16

Hebrews 4:15–16 NKJV

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Conclusion:

- Have you enlisted in the army of the Lord?

- Are you willing to put on the whole armor of God?