2 Timothy 2:1-13 Good Soldier of Christ

Scripture: Jen

Intro:

Strengthened for Battle vs. 1-2

The first thing we see in being a good soldier for Christ is that we are strengthened for battle

That strength comes from two areas, God’s grace and the Word of God

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

A soldier in active service does not have a 9 to 5 job, or even a long 60- or 70-hour work week.

He is a soldier 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

His body, his health, his skills, his time—all that he is—belong to the military in which he serves.

Attributes of a Good Soldier vs. 3-7

The second thing we see in being a good soldier for Christ are the attributes of a good soldier

Shares in the Suffering

The first attribute we see is that the soldier is willing to engage in battle and share in the suffering

Soldiers sign up with the knowledge that combat comes as part of the gig

With that combat comes collateral damage

Too many soldiers want the benefits of being in the army but don’t want the commitment

Just recently a soldier went on social media saying she didn’t join the army to go to war but the VA loan on houses and the GI bill for school

A good soldier for Christ is ready for battle and wants to be used by God

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Unhindered

The second attribute we see in a good soldier is that they are unhindered by the affairs of this life

It is not that a soldier should have no contact at all with his former friends and surroundings, but that he is not to become caught up and enmeshed in them.

Those things are irrelevant to his soldiering and are always subject to being relinquished.

In the same way, a good soldier of Christ Jesus refuses to allow earthly matters to interfere with the fulfillment of his duty to his Lord.

Many Christians, pastors, special ministries, and doctrinally sound churches have been undermined by concerns and activities that are innocent in themselves but have been allowed to crowd out the primary purpose of serving Jesus Christ in the advancing of His kingdom against the forces of darkness

When we are unhindered and engaged we are please God

Competes according to the Rules

The third attribute of a good soldier is that they compete according to the rules

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

When we exercise self-control and compete according to the rules we are eligible for the prize

Hardworking

The final attribute we see is that they are hardworking.

James 5:7 ESV

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Hard work brings the fruit of the harvest

Gospel Will Not Be Denied vs. 8-10

The third thing we see in being a good soldier for Christ is that the Gospel will not be denied

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Christ is Risen

Word is not bound

Elect Obtain Salvation

Promised Blessing vs. 11-13

The fourth thing we see in being a good soldier for Christ is that at the end there is a promised blessing.