Onward Christian Soldier

Onward Christian Soldier

Throughout the scriptures we are given the image of being … saints, followers, children of God, brothers & sisters, etc. But one image we probably seldom think about being is a "soldier." Can you see yourself as a soldier in the Lord's army? (2 Tim 2:3-4) "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."(2 Tim 4:7-8) "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."As soldiers in the Lord's Army … we must go on in the areas of following, being faithful, fighting, and finishing … for though the war has been won … many battles have yet to be fought. I. Onward Christian Soldier in Following (2 Tim 2:3) "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."          A. Following speaks of Relationship           Who do you belong to? Yourself … or the Savior of your soul?           (1 Cor 6:19-20) "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye         are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in           your spirit, which are God's."          B. Following speaks of Rank ·        Falling in our out of position with Christ? ·        Rank and file … in or out of line? … AWOL? (Col 1:18) "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."·        Christ is to be first … with you and me falling in behind. II. Onward Christian Soldier in Faithfulness (2 Tim 2:3-4) "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."(2 Tim 4:7) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"          A. Faithfulness speaks of Patience ·        Enduring hardships … hard times and tough times of life ought to gear us up as soldiers.
·        Trials and tribulation are our forecast … Jesus said so. (John 16:33) (John 16:33) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(James 1:2-4) "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; {3} Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. {4} But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."·        The testing of faith is helping us as Christian Soldiers … "to be all you can be in Christ."
·        The testimony of a true soldier in the Lord's army is … "I have kept the faith." B. Faithfulness speaks of Priorities ·        As Christian Soldiers we are … either engaged or entangled.
·        Engaged in battling the enemy or being entangled (involved) in the "affairs" of this life. (2 Tim 2:4) "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."·        Engaged in warfare … our weapons are spiritual and to be used faithfully. ·        (Ephesians 6:10-18) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 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, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ·        What is the top priority in your life … pleasing self or God? ·        (Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."·        As the enlisted, let us seek to please our Commander. III. Onward Christian Soldier in Fighting           (2 Tim 4:7) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have           kept the faith:"          A. Fighting speaks of Determination ·        Paul states … "I have fought" … to strive endlessly … to contend with the adversary.
·        Determination comes out of the mind set, I will regardless …"
·        How determined are we to fight on regardless. ·        (Proverbs 24:10) "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."·        Our strength to fight is not of ourselves … for when we are weak God makes us strong.
·        Paul was determined to live for the Lord in any situation.
·        Be aware … the enemy is determined also. During the days of the conquering and occupying the promise land God had given all land and enemies into their hands. However there were those who were more determined than Israel. The scriptures state (Judges 1:27) "Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."(Judges 1:35) "But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries."·        We need to a strong determination greater than that of the enemy to possess and occupy the lands of our life, family life, and church life.           B. Fighting speaks of Dedication ·        "Good fight" … of faith in God. (1 Tim 6:12) "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto           thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many           witnesses."·        Paul experienced victories and defeats … yet remained dedicated to the Lord.
·        Paul was "sold out" and "sold on" Jesus.
·        The greatest cause in the world is serving Jesus Christ.
·        As Christian Soldiers … we must go onward and dedicate ourselves to the cause of Christ. IV. Onward Christian Soldier in Finishing (2 Tim 4:7-8) "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."          A. Finishing speaks of Readiness ·        Readiness Principle... prepared for service and action … prepared in Word & prayer (1 Pet 1:3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"·        Paul can say "I have fought, finished, kept" in the "past tense" because      he lived it in the "present tense."
·        Are you ready for battle? You will battle so be ready!           B. Finishing speaks of Reward ·        Battling is but for a day … the rewards are for an eternity.
·        No crown without a cross … "with the cross of Jesus, going on before."
·        Words of commendation (Mat 25:21) "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."(Mat 25:23) "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."·        We need to long for the finish line and live for the One who awaits us there.   Conclusion: 2 Timothy 2:7 We need to understand that our existence in the Lord's Army is not imaginary but ever so real. 2 Timothy 2:3a You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Onward Christian Soldiers