A Soldier's Tools and Testing

2 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Thesis/ Central Idea:

A hard fighting soldier uses the proper tolls and goes through many tests for the Lord.

Introduction:

In this series we have already took a look at:

I. THE SOLDIER’S TASK

A. To follow. They follow the orders of their leaders. The Christian follows the orders of Christ. The soldier is forced to follow. The Christian follows by choice (Matt. 4:19).

B. To fight. They fight to save their country. The Christian fights the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). He fights against sin, temptation, and Satan.

II. THE SOLDIER’S TRAINING

A. Discipline. Just as a runner needs discipline, so the Christian soldier needs self-control (1 Cor. 9:24–27). An uncontrolled Christian can be dangerous in many ways.

B. Dedication. The soldier is dedicated to his work. God wants all Christians to have this same obedience (John 2:1–5).

C. Denial. A soldier puts his country first, above personal plans and even above his family. Christ must be first in our lives (Matt. 6:33).

This week we look at the Soldier’s Tools and Tests...

II. THE SOLDIER’S TESTING

I. THE SOLDIER’S TOOLS

No soldier is sent to battle without proper tools.

God has given His followers special spiritual tools to accomplish His work.

A. Spiritual tools

—2 Cor. 10:4. These spiritual tools destroy the works of Satan.

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

B. Special tools

—Eph. 6:13–17. All tools to go forward, no protection for the back!

because we should always be moving forward

because another Christian should be looking out for us, right behind us

Ephesians 6:13–17 ESV

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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

C. Successful tool

—Eph. 6:18. Prayer is the most powerful tool we can use in this battle.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

James 5:16 ESV

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Peter 3:12 ESV

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now if you find yourself without the right tools to be a Hard Fighting Soldier, then...

You need to consider if you are a Christian

You need to review your Tasks and Training

It is possible you are only a Babe in Christ

Be careful you are not intended to be a Babe in Christ all your life

This is important for you to understand, because as a Hard Fighting Soldier there will be tests...

A. Physical testing

Paul had a thorn in his flesh—2 Cor. 12:7–10. God wants strong soldiers; so He tests us.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Consider what physical testing you might be going through

As a Christian it is likely the Lord is testing you to improve your rank and commitment

However there are more than physical testing for the Hard Fighting Soldier...

B. Mental testing

Satan has been given a period of time to tempt mankind

God allows this as a test, His permission of difficulties is what makes it a test or trial because it is intended for our good

Satan uses doubt to destroy God’s people.

God wants us to trust Him fully (Phil. 4:7).

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Faith/ Trust = a guarded heart a guarded mind

There are not only Physical and Mental tests, there are also Spiritual tests...

C. Spiritually tested

Remember our early mentioned spiritual tool...

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Our fight is not against flesh and blood, so that leaves the spiritual and there will be tests...

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

This is a battle against Satan (Eph. 6:13).

A supernatural power, but we can be victorious.

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

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 firm.

If we take on this armor we will not fail the spiritual test...

2 Peter 1:10 ESV

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Remember tests are not easy because they are intended to measure your success

Easy tests do not measure your true competence

Easy tests are for those who just want someone to give them something, they are not really interested in earning something

If you don’t earn what you have...

you can easily lose it

you really don’t have it

So fight the good fight and keep the faith...

Remember your tasks: Follow and Fight

Remember your training: Dedication; Discipline and Denial...

Conclusion:

As a hard fighting soldier for the Lord we need to make sure that we are using the correct tools.

The hard fighting soldiers tools are:

Spiritual - tools to destroy the works of Satan; tools to take down strongholds

Special - tools that allow the hard fighting soldier to hold his ground and move forward

Successful - soldier prayers benefit all the Saints and increase perseverance

Hard fighting Soldiers must be aware of the tests he must go through in service for the Lord.

Hard fighting soldiers go through many tests:

Physical tests - that direct your efforts back to God’s way which seem contradictory to earth ways

Mental tests - to guard against doubt and faithlessness

spiritual tests - because our battle is spiritual

What tools are you using and what tests are you going through?

Invitation: