Untitled Sermon (7)

Characteristics of a good Solder

Characteristics of a good Solider.

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2 Timothy 2:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

II Timothy 2:1-4

2 Timothy 2:1–4 NASB95

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NASB95

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

:7-8

Intro. Elab Pro. And Con. Marks

1. What if we received Pro. And Con. Marks as a Christian?

A. Paul was at the end of his life, in a Roman prison. Paul had been a good solder.

B. Paul was also a great leader, encouragement to Timothy, he also is challenging Timothy to be a good solder of Jesus Christ.

I. A good solder is a good follower. VS 3

2 Timothy 2:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 2:

2 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

a. To be a solder you must enlist. Elab.

B. To be a good leader you must be a good follower. Follow the leader ship of Jesus Christ.

1. Following orders. USMC boot camp. From the time we got off the bus, until the time we left.

2. We were told how to dress, how to walk, how to talk, how to eat, how to sleep.

3. When a Marine goes to war he must follow orders. If not Elab what would happen.

C. As solders of Jesus Christ we must follow the orders of our commander.

1. To what ever he may call us to do.

2. Follow the commandments of his word.

II. A good solder is faithful VS 3-4

A. He doesn’t give up when things get tough. 2:3

2 Timothy 2:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

1. Pastor, evangelist, staff member, or if you are a Christian that is faithfully serving the Lord. It’s not a matter of if but a matter of when times will get tough. Elab.

2. Troubles times will come and we have to learn to endure the pain. USMC “Pain is weakness leaving the body”

B. He is patient. Marine Sniper. As solders of Jesus Christ we must be patient and learn to wait on God. Elab. Abraham and Shara.

1. A good solder of Jesus Christ is patient be keeping his cool. “Be angry and sin not”

III. A good solder familiar

a. Knows his commanders voice. As soldiers of the Lord we need to be familiar with His voice. We should know when the Lord is speaking to us.

b. With his weapons. In my day it was the M-16 and knows how to use it.

God’s word is our weapon. We need to know, learn it, know how to use it. That means spending time in it.

c. Know the strategy on the enemy. Recon.

We need to know our enemy (the devil) know what he is up to.

d. He never leave wounded behind.

Sometimes Christians are bad about not helping these that have been hurt.

IV. He is a fighter. VS 7

2 Timothy 2:7 KJV 1900

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 2:7 NASB95

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

A. He Is Determined - The good soldier does not retreat in the face of the enemy, he does not run from a fight. Instead, he stands his ground and fights the battle until the battle is over! (Ill. Many Christian soldiers have dropped out of the battle! I challenge you not be among that number!

B. He Is Driven - The good soldier realizes that the battle does not run according to his time frame. He knows that another is in charge of the duration of the battle, but the good soldier is driven to finish. The good soldier is in the battle to the finish. Are you? What would it take to make you quit this morning? Many Christians are about one disaster and one service away from quitting on the Lord. Does that describe you? I challenge you to keep serving and keep fighting!

C. He Is Dedicated - The good soldier dedicates himself to keeping his oath. He is determined to live for the Lord regardless of the personal cost. The good soldier keeps the faith. He keeps it by living it, sharing it and defending it all the time. The faith is precious to the good soldier and he does everything in his power to keep it pure and undefiled.

V. He is a finisher. VS 7-8

2 Timothy 4:7–8 KJV 1900

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NASB95

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

A. He Has Resolve -The good soldier is in it for the long haul. He does not quit at the first hint of trouble. He is a finisher. God give us Christians with the attitude of finishers. We need some who will stay by the stuff in these days!

B. He Has A Reason -Why does the good soldier endure hardship, stay in the fight, follow the Leader selflessly? The good soldier knows the price that was paid by his Superior to make a place for him in the army. The good soldier knows his lord loves him and that Jesus died to make a way of salvation for him. Therefore, he loves the Lord and no price becomes too high for the good soldier to pay.

C. He Has His Reward - The good soldier finishes his course because he knows that at the end of the war, every deed will be rewarded by the Commander in chief. For those who stay in the battle, there will come a glad day of blessing. They will here the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant...", , . What will be waiting you when you meet Jesus? Conc: Would you classify yourself as a good soldier of the Lord? If you are like me, you probably recognize areas where you could be a better soldier. If so, then I challenge you to come to the Lord right now and let Him make things as they should be. If you have never joined the army of the Lord, then today would be a good time to make that a reality. When you pass from the scene, will it be said that you were a good soldier of the Lord? It can be! But, that is up to you!