The Christian Soldier's Triumph

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:

The triumph of the Hard Fighting Christian Soldier has no earthly equivalent

Introduction:

I. THE SOLDIER’S TASK

A. To follow.

B. To fight.

II. THE SOLDIER’S TRAINING

A. Discipline.

B. Dedication.

C. Denial.

III. THE SOLDIER’S TOOLS

A. Spiritual tools.

B. Special tools.

C. Successful tools.

IV. THE SOLDIER’S TESTING

A. Physical testing.

B. Mental testing.

C. Spiritually tested.

I. THE SOLDIER’S TRIUMPH

A soldier is welcomed home.

He is made a hero.

Christ will welcome us home.

He will honor us for our faithfulness Rev. 2:10.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Let’s discuss the reasons for the Triumph

There are four reasons I’d like to discuss

Fight

Finished

Faith

Faithfulness

all coming 2 Tm 4:7-8

Let’s begin with...

A. Fight

— “I have fought a good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7).

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The good fight is not every fight

We must not extend energy on every battle

We need to learn where to expand our energies,

so that we have energy left when the important and good fights show up

in order to know the difference between the good fight and all other fights

Good Fights give glory to God

fights that are not Good

give glory to self

Good fights have spiritual rewards

fights that are not good have earthly rewards

Another reason for the Christian Soldiers Triumph is he...

B. Finished

— “I have finished my course” (2 Tim. 4:7).

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The Christian Soldiers Triumph comes at the conclusion of the fight

Too many of us want the spoils of the fight in this lifetime,

so that keeps us from finishing the fight,

we give up

Finishing requires discipline and commitment

It’s knowledge of the battlefield and the assignment at hand

That is how one knows he has finished because he is familiar intimately the assignment

The third reason for the Christian Soldiers Triumph is he has...

C. Faith

— “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

The Faith is different than a faith

kept faith is not the result of fighting outside the boundaries our Lord has established

kept faith is the result of ups and downs, victories that build us up and defeats which sharpen our understanding

kept faith is the result of trust in the goal and final destination pointed out by our God

Out last reason to be discussed is...

D. Faithfulness

—2 Tim. 4:8. A crown awaits us!

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth 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.

There is a mansion, robe and crown that awaits us

Faithfulness is not the result of earthly consideration

We do not want a mansion, robe and crown out of worldly desire

It is not the earthly equivalent of the Apocalyptic description that should drive our faithfulness

Mansion = habitation

Robe = elevated status and dignity

Crown = eternal life Rev. 2:10 …crown of life

Do not equate these rewards of the Christian Soldiers Triumph as being able to fulfill the soul of the Christian Soldier

Make sure that you are not trying to be worldly rich in heavenly places

Conclusion:

Let us all work to be Hard Fighting Soldiers

I. THE SOLDIER’S TASK

A. To follow.

B. To fight.

II. THE SOLDIER’S TRAINING

A. Discipline.

B. Dedication.

C. Denial.

III. THE SOLDIER’S TOOLS

A. Spiritual tools.

B. Special tools.

C. Successful tools.

IV. THE SOLDIER’S TESTING

A. Physical testing.

B. Mental testing.

C. Spiritually tested.

Invitation:

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