Enlisted to be a Soldier

Review:

Paul has told Timothy to Stir up his gifts.

To not be embarrassed

To share in the suffering.

To be strong in the faith. (The Power of the Gospel)

Imperative - a Command

Ephesians 6:10–12 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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.”

It is trust in the Scripture to be the Living, Powerful Word of God.

Ephesians 4:11–16 “11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Notice that the gift of Jesus are all teachers of the Word.

Notice also how the preach of Doctrine strengthens, guards, grows, unifies, organizes, and energizes the body of Christ.

Conforms it to the image of God’s Son.

Edifies itself in Love.

4 Job Descriptions to help Timothy “Be Strong”.

The Teacher

2 Timothy 2:2 “2 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.”

The things that you heard from me, among many witnesses

The Word is settled.

The Word is the only source.

Commit these to faithful men.

Find people to invest in.

Walk together, learning together, standing together.

Who will teach other also.

The relay race continues.

Application:

Do we know what we believe? Church constitution, catechism’s, Systematic Theology.

1950-1960 Evangelicalism was defined by our beliefs.

Today we are more defined by our “music, style and spirit”.

Enlisted as a Soldier

2 Timothy 2:3–4 “3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

This is a favorite theme of the Apostle Paul. He saw the Christian life as a battle.

References that refer to Soldiering.

Ephesians 6:10–17 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,”

What is a Soldier

Differences from Rome: Both of these show that while there are similarities, this isn’t a physical battle of martial skills, but a spiritual battle.

The weapons we use: Truth, righteousness, direction given by the Gospel, Shield of Faith, helmet (minds secured by the knowledge of the gospel) the Word of God.

Weapons that will help us stand as righteous men and women in this world.

Similarities: We have been called by a General, to enlist under His banner and to share in the spoils of victory.

The General is Jesus Christ.

We are enlisted to bring in the Kingdom of God.

To bring the whole earth under the authority of King Jesus.

The call is to be a good Soldier.

Many still want to know, What is the least that I have to do to be accepted?

Many go through the motions, marking time and bragging without ever engaging with the enemy.

They are willing to march in the parades, but they are not willing to suffer for him.

Yet God calls us to cast off every weight and sin and to follow after Him.

Hebrews 12:1 “1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

We fail to realize the difficulty and the danger of the course that we have engaged on.

Luke 13:24 “24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

The Call of Christ

Luke 9:23 “23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Luke 14:33 “33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Matthew 11:12 “12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Acts 14:22 “22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.””

Are Battles are against satan, deceit, philosophies,

Ephesians 6:12 “12 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.”

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Lion roars to intimidate.

but it has the power to back it up. You don’t fight with a Lion without preparation, skill, and weapons.

We must give it our all. What does it mean to be a Soldier?

not a 9-5 job, you are a servant of the leader you follow. 24 / 7 365 days a year, you can be called out. You are continually engaged in making preparations, and training to be ready to go to war.

There is no secondary job for a Soldier. He is to be a warrior, ready to go and fight, to die.

He is Loyal to his commander. (Rome was filled with civil wars.)

He is obedient unto death.

He is strong. (in grace, faith, knowledge of Jesus Christ)

What is a Good Soldier? From 2 Timothy 2:3-4

He endures Hardship.

You must endure hardship....

It will be a part of life.

2 Timothy 3:12 “12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Matthew 5:10–12 “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 10:16–18 “16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”

Luke 14:26–27 “26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

He is free from the entanglements of this life.

We must be free to fight.

Entangle — Comes from the Greek word meaning to weave. We have woven other things into our life, other desires that we also try to accomplish. It grows as weights until it becomes a sin in holding us back.

No farms, wives, families are allowed to be counted as weights. We are walking together, serving together.

Matthew 13:22 “22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

Luke 21:34–36 “34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.””

He seeks to please His commander.

Our eyes must be set on the end goal that Christ has set for us.

Matthew 28:18–20 “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

Our profit comes at the completion of the campaign.

2 Timothy 4:8 “8 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.”

Only in obedience is there hope of victory.

Applications

Do we look at the Christian life as a ‘good life’ or as a battle field?

It isn’t enough to think this way on one or two nights a year, but we must realize that we are in a fight.

Are we seeking to be a good Soldier for Christ?

are we ready to suffer?

Are we ready to give up anything that entangles us?

Are we ever learning about His ways?

Are we praying for ourselves and others?

Ephesians 6:18 “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

How are we doing with Paul’s Command in verse 1 “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”.

Firm in Salvation

Knowing our beliefs and passing them on.

Ready to fight the Lord’s battle.