INTRODUCTION:
1. Songs we sing - picture the life of a Christian as a soldier
^ Soldiers of Christ arise .... Onward Christian soldier
2. Surely there is a great conflict taking place - a war
^ On side of Satan or Christ!
I. CONSIDER WHOSE ARMY
A. JESUS OUR KING
1. Captain of His army
^ (Heb 2:10 KJV) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
^ 747 archegos {ar-khay-gos'} ¤ from 746 and 71; TDNT - 1:487,81; adj AV - prince 2, captain 1, author 1; 4 ¤ 1) the chief leader, prince 1a) of Christ 2) one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer 3) the author
2. Reference to a Sword and not Peace
^ (Mat 10:34 KJV) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
3. Not a Physical fight
^ (John 18:36 KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
4. The potential Army
^ could call 50,000 to 72,000 angels
(Mat 26:53 KJV) Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? - 3003 legeon {leg-eh-ohn'}¤ of Latin origin; AV - legion 4; 4
¤ 1) a legion, a body of soldiers whose number differed at different times, and in the time of Augustus seems to have consisted of 6826 men (i.e. 6100 foot soldiers, and 726 horsemen)
5. Be a good soldier
^ (2 Tim 2:3 KJV) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
B. CHOSEN TO BE A SOLDIER
1. Christ calls for us
^ (2 Tim 2:4 KJV) 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. Called by the Gospel
^ (2 Th 2:14 KJV) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Bring the mind under allegiance
^ (2 Cor 10:5 KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;^ (Rom 8:6 ) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
^ (Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
^ (Phil 2:5 KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
II. CONSIDER THE TRAINING
A. THE PHYSICAL ARMY
1. Realize - different jobs to be done - all cannot do the same thing and have success
2. One must train ... learn his or her job - duty
B. TRAINING
1. Trained to do his assigned duty
^ (Eph 4:16 KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
^ I Cor. 12
2. Learning to obey orders
^ (Heb 5:9 KJV) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
^ (John 10:3 KJV) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (10:4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
3. Learning proper respect for authority
^ (Eph 1:22 KJV) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ( 1:23 ) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
^ (Col 3:17 KJV) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
4. Learning to take care of Self
^ (2 Cor 13:5 KJV) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
^ (Phil 2:12 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
^ (1 Tim 4:16 KJV) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
5. Learning to take care of others
^ (Gal 6:2 KJV) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
^ (Gal 6:10 KJV) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
^ (1 Tim 4:16 KJV) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
^ JUDE 22,23 - [1] some have mercy = go along side - gently lead - "they doubt"
[2] some save - snatching them out of the fire - direct, frontal approach
[3] on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh with caution and pity - care exercised lest you be defiled
6. Learn to eat the proper foods .... get the correct exercise
^ (Heb 5:14 KJV) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
^ (1 Pet 2:1 KJV) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (1 Pet 2:2 KJV) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
III. WHAT TO EXPECT
A. DIFFERENT KIND OF SOLDIERS
1. a.w.o.l. = those who start but fall back - desert the battle - change to the devil’s side
2. Good Soldiers
^ (2 Tim 2:4 KJV) 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 2:3 KJV) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
^ (1 Tim 1:18 KJV) This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
^ (1 Tim 6:12 KJV) 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.
CHART FOR THE LESSON:
A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
WHOSE ARMY?
Jesus Our King Heb. 2:10Chosen Soldiers
2 Tim. 2:4THE TRAINING
Physical Army Num. 1:30Assigned Duty Heb. 5:9
WHAT TO EXPECT
Different Soldiers 2 Tim. 2:4