A Song in the Night - A Soldier's Story
"A Song in the Night: A Soldier's Story"
Acts: 16:16-24 Veteran’s Day Service
PPHC - 11/12/06
Today we honor our veterans. This brief ceremony is a poor attempt at expressing our gratitude and respect for each of you and the sacrifice you have made in service to our country. So, with a simple “thank you”, we move along to consider another soldier's story.
Read SCRIPTURE TEXT
The apostle Paul exemplifies Christian honor, courage and sacrifice. Drafted into service on the road to Damascus, he was quickly trained and dispatched on impossible mission. Initially distrusted by his allies and especially hated by the enemy, Paul set out to accomplish his task. Upon engaging the adversary, in the first theater at Lystra, Paul is captured, tortured, and left for dead. Called back to Jerusalem, Paul was debriefed, given further instructions, and he immediately led his small troop back into battle. With much success and many commendations, our soldier is sent to a new front. This time the Gospel Army invades the continent of Europe. With fresh troops behind him, they boldly engage the enemy in hostile territory. There, for the second time they are captured, and beaten. Paul's permanent military record reveals that he was lashed five times with 39 stripes, three times beaten with rods, three times shipwrecked, once stoned, attacked by wild animals, and eventually put to death in a Roman prison.
With that background set, we will look at Paul's second capture. Even in this early part of his career, we can see what made him a great soldier.
Introduction: when a person enlists in the military, there are certain things that they are required to learn; #1 General Orders, #2 The Code of Conduct.
I. The Strategic Lesson
A. Remember the General Orders - Exodus 20
· There are 10 general orders given by God to govern the activity of those in his service. The 10 orders detail our behavior in every possible situation. The first five correspond to our actions and responsibilities toward God himself. The last five constitute our behavior towards our fellow man. We will look at the first five this morning.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
· Don't ever forget who you are, where you are from, who you serve and who your Supreme Commander is. [US military CoC #6 - I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.] a
2. Thou shalt make no graven images.
· Don't ever adopt the culture, customs, or philosophies of the enemy. Don't sleep with the enemy. Article #3 - If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape…b
· Though your occupation duty may take you to other lands, never betray your country.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Loose lips sink ships - When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.) c
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
· Don't ever lose focus. Remember your mission!
· Article #1 CoC: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. d
5. Honor thy father and my mother.
· Respect authority, obey orders even when you don't understand/agree, do it by the book.
B. Our Soldiers Did It By the Book
1. They set about to accomplish their mission.
a. A General call that every soldier receives - Matthew 28:19 - "go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."
b. A Specific call - Acts 16:9 - the vision appeared to Paul... "... come to Macedonia."
2. Though beaten, deprived of food and medical attention, our men continued to be faithful to their cause.
a. Custom -#1 inner prison was for the condemned; #2 legs painfully extended into the stocks.
· Though the pressure came (keep quiet), they still did it by the book; they obeyed the orders given.
· They maintained their focus - they remembered their mission through it all - read #4 above.
BRIDGE: When a soldier goes down behind enemy lines, he send out an SOS, lights flares, fires, etc. - the soldier attempts to establish contact with his base.
C. Recalling G.O. #1, They Contacted Headquarters
1. They prayed unto God - v. 25, renewing their commitment to God and their cause.
2. With their backs lashed open, they were cast into a smelly/dark prison with their legs severely spread.
a. They sang praises to the supreme commander [2]
3. They allowed the enemy to hear them. [psychological warfare] ... loose lips sink ships
Evidence of their faithfulness is in their prayer; the evidence of their prayer is in the answer.
BRIDGE - Let’s look at their prayer:
D. What They Did Not Pray For
1. They did not pray for freedom, although they became free - vs. 35
2. They did not pray for food, although they were fed - vs. 34
3. They did not pray for medical attention, although they were treated - vs. 33
E. What Did They Pray For?
1. They prayed for the successful completion of their mission.
a. i.e. The gospel of Jesus Christ to be spread in that region.
b. They didn't pray for God didn't shake the jail to set them free! Otherwise, they would have escaped [vs. 27-28]
· Not escaping was as much a miracle in the prisoners’ hearts as the earthquake.
· God shook the jail to save one man - [vs. 30]
· Sometimes God will shake your world in order to get your attention
F. In the Successful Completion of Their Job, All Their Needs Were Met
1. Their Heavenly Father was glorified.
2. Their courage was multiplied.
3. Their heavenly country was honored.
II. The Marks of a True Soldier
A. He or she is totally dedicated to the cause
B. He or she is totally given to duty and sacrifice
1. He puts aside self.
2. He puts aside safety; comfort, home, family, material gain, etc…
3. He faces the enemy courageously and constantly.
The mark of a true soldier never forgets who he is, where he is from, whom he serves, and Who is his Supreme Commander.
Invitation
Resources:
a http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm
b http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm