Download The Good Soldier Part 1

The Good Soldier Part 1
Text: II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7-8
Intro
Christianity is compared to warfare, and Christians to
soldiers/warriors in many places (Eph. 6:10-18)
Hebrews 11
 Great men and women of faith in God died
on the battlefield for souls without losing
their faith and looking forward to the
“better country” that was promised
Hebrews 12:1-3
 These “Heroes of Faith” are the “great
cloud of witnesses surrounding us” and
show us that no matter the difficulty or
circumstances, we can be faithful to God
The Good Soldier Part 1
Intro
II Tim. 2:3-4
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.
II Tim. 4:7-8
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.
Saints are to be
“good soldiers” of Christ!
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
II Tim. 2:3
3. Suffer hardship with me, as a good
soldier of Christ Jesus.
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
“Soldier” Implies Relationship (The first step is to join the
army):
 Obey the gospel! (II Thess. 2:14; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36-39; 22:16)
“Soldier” Implies Rank (There is always someone higher
than you):
 Every child of God is ranked under Jesus (Mt. 28:18) and is responsible for
following Him and His will for their lives (I Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 1:22-23; Col.
1:18)
“Soldier” Implies Rule (Refusing orders is treason!):
 “Be faithful until death!” (Rev. 2:10)
 When we refuse to live as the Lord desires, then we have crossed the line
from follower to traitor – James 4:4, 17
Soldiers of Christ follow the Head, the One who enlisted
them! (I Pet. 2:21)
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
 Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
II Tim. 2:3-4
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.
II Tim. 4:7
7. I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the course, I have kept the
faith;
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
His Patience (II Tim. 2:3):
 He understands that pain is often part of the Christian experience but that
in Christ there is victory! (John 16:33; Heb. 12:3)
His Priorities (II Tim. 2:4):
 Pleasing Jesus ought to be the first priority of every child of God – I Cor.
10:31; I Cor. 6:19-20; I Jn. 2:17
His Practice (II Tim. 4:7):
 Guards the truths of the faith (II Tim. 4:5; Jude 3)
 He is determined to do a good job, and he refuses to do anything to bring
disgrace and dishonor upon his Superior (Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10; I Thess.
2:11-12).
Soldiers of Christ are faithful to their Commander-in-Chief
(the Lord Jesus Christ)!
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
 Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
 Is Familiar – Jn. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18; I Pet. 5:8
There are some things that the
good soldier knows!
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier Is Familiar
With The Sound Of The Commander's Voice (John 10:3-5):
 Spend time in the Word! – II Tim. 2:15; I Cor. 15:1-2; Col. 3:16-17
 Do you know Him when He speaks? – I Thess. 2:13; Jn. 10:9, 14
With The Skill Of Using His Weapons (Eph. 6:10-18):
 Just as soldiers are proficient with their weapons, Soldiers of Christ must
be proficient with the spiritual arms given by God! (II Cor. 10:3-6; Heb.
4:12-13)
With The Strategy Of The Enemy (II Cor. 11:14; I Pet.
5:8):
 The good soldier needs to be wise to the ways of the devil (Mt. 10:16;
II Cor. 11:14-15; Eph. 4:14) and he needs to know that the Lord Jesus is
greater than any enemy we will ever face (I John 4:4; 5:3)!
Soldiers of Christ are familiar with duty, spiritual warfare
and overcoming the enemy!
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
 Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
 Is Familiar – Jn. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18; I Pet. 5:8
 Is A Fighter – II Tim. 4:7
II Tim. 4:7
7. I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the course, I have kept the
faith;
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier Is A Fighter – II Tim. 4:7
He Is Determined:
 The good soldier stands his ground and fights the battle until the battle is
over – I Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:11, 13-14; Phil. 4:1; I Pet. 5:12; “Stand firm!”
 Many Christian soldiers have dropped out of the battle! (I Tim. 1:19-20)
He Is Driven:
 The good soldier realizes that the battle does not run according to his timetable (Mt. 24:36)
 Many Christians are about one disaster and one temptation away from
quitting on the Lord (Mt. 13:20-21; Lk. 8:13). Does that describe you?
He Is Dedicated:
 The good soldier keeps the faith (I Tim. 1:18-19; II Tim. 4:7) – Do you?
 He keeps it by living it, sharing it & defending it (II Cor. 5:10-11).
Soldiers of Christ are to fight the good fight, finish the
course, and keep the faith!
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
 Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
 Is Familiar – Knows certain things
 Is A Fighter – II Tim. 4:7
 Is A Finisher – II Tim. 4:6-8
II Tim. 4:6-8
6. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure has come.
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.
The Good Soldier Part 1
The Good Soldier Is A Finisher – II Tim. 4:6-8
He Has Resolve:
 The good soldier is in it for the long haul (II Tim. 4:6; Rev. 2:10).
 He does not quit at the first hint of trouble (Lk. 8:13) – He is a finisher!
He Has A Reason:
 The good soldier knows the price that was paid by his Superior to make a
place for him in the army (Jn. 10:11; Rom. 5:8-10).
 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 (Mt. 10:22, 24; Jn. 15:18-21)
He Has His Reward:
 For those who overcome, they will hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and
faithful servant... blessed of My Father…” (NKJ: Mt. 25:21, 23, 34)
Soldiers of Christ need to “finish the course” and the
finish line is death or when Christ comes again!
The Good Soldier Part 1
Conclusion
II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7-8: Paul says the “good soldier of Christ
Jesus”:
 Is a Follower – II Tim. 2:3
 Is Faithful – II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7
 Is Familiar – Knows certain things
 Is A Fighter – II Tim. 4:7
 Is A Finisher – II Tim. 4:6-8
The Good Soldier Part 1
Conclusion
Would you classify yourself as a “good soldier of Christ?”
After such a study, perhaps you
(and me) recognize areas where you
(and me) could be a better soldier!
The Challenge:
Strive to be pleasing to the
One who enlisted you; fight
the good fight, finish the
course, and keep the faith!
The Good Soldier Part 1
“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)
Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)
Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)
Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)
Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)
Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child of God:
Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),
Pray (Acts 8:22)