Onward Christian SoldierOnward Christian SoldierII Timothy 2:3-4; II Timothy 4:7-8II Timothy 2:3-4; II Timothy 4:7-8

I. Onward Christian Soldier in Following I. Onward Christian Soldier in Following II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure

hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Christ.

A. Following speaks of Relationship A. Following speaks of Relationship 1. Who do you belong to? Yourself … or 1. Who do you belong to? Yourself … or

the Savior of your soul? the Savior of your soul? II Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not II Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not

that your body is the temple of the Holy that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's which are God's

B. Following speaks of Rank B. Following speaks of Rank

1. Falling in or out of position with Christ?1. Falling in or out of position with Christ?

2. Rank and file … in or out of line? … 2. Rank and file … in or out of line? … AWOL?AWOL?

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. things he might have the preeminence.

3. Christ is to be first … with you and me 3. Christ is to be first … with you and me falling in behind. falling in behind.

II. Onward Christian Soldier in FaithfulnessII. Onward Christian Soldier in Faithfulness

II Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure II Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.soldier.

II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the have finished my course, I have kept the faith:faith:

A. Faithfulness speaks of Patience A. Faithfulness speaks of Patience

1. Enduring hardships … hard times and 1. Enduring hardships … hard times and tough times of life ought to gear us up tough times of life ought to gear us up as soldiers. as soldiers.

2. Trials an tribulation are our forecast. 2. Trials an tribulation are our forecast. John John 16:33 16:33

John 16:33 These things I have spoken John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. world.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

3. The testing of faith is help us as Christian 3. The testing of faith is help us as Christian Soldiers … "to be all you can be in Christ.”Soldiers … "to be all you can be in Christ.”

4. The testimony of a true soldier in the 4. The testimony of a true soldier in the Lord's army is … "I have kept the faith." Lord's army is … "I have kept the faith."

B. Faithfulness speaks of Priorities B. Faithfulness speaks of Priorities 1. As Christian Soldiers 1. As Christian Soldiers we are … either engaged or entangled.we are … either engaged or entangled.

2. Engaged in battling the enemy or being 2. Engaged in battling the enemy or being entangled (involved) in the "affairs" of this entangled (involved) in the "affairs" of this life. life.

II Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth II Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.to be a soldier.

3. Engaged in warfare … our weapons are 3. Engaged in warfare … our weapons are spiritual and to be used faithfully. spiritual and to be used faithfully. Ephesians Ephesians 6:10-18 6:10-18

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high against spiritual wickedness in high placesplaces. 13 Wherefore take unto . 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and supplication for all saints;

4. What is the top priority in your life … 4. What is the top priority in your life … pleasing self or God? pleasing self or God?

Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. them that diligently seek him.

5. As the enlisted, let us seek to be like our 5. As the enlisted, let us seek to be like our Commander. Commander.

III. Onward Christian Soldier in Fighting III. Onward Christian Soldier in Fighting

II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

A. Fighting speaks of DeterminationA. Fighting speaks of Determination

1.1. Paul states … "I have fought" … to strive Paul states … "I have fought" … to strive endlessly … to contend with the adversary.endlessly … to contend with the adversary.

2. Determination comes out of the mind set, 2. Determination comes out of the mind set, “I will regardless …" “I will regardless …"

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. adversity, thy strength is small.

B. Fighting speaks of Dedication B. Fighting speaks of Dedication 1. "Good fight" … of faith in God. 1. "Good fight" … of faith in God. I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of I Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of

faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. good profession before many witnesses.

2. Paul experienced victories and defeats 2. Paul experienced victories and defeats … yet remained dedicated to the Lord. … yet remained dedicated to the Lord.

3. As Christian Soldiers … we must go 3. As Christian Soldiers … we must go onward and dedicate ourselves to the onward and dedicate ourselves to the cause of Christ. cause of Christ.

IV. Onward Christian Soldier in Finishing IV. Onward Christian Soldier in Finishing

II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. unto all them also that love his appearing.

A. Finishing speaks of Readiness A. Finishing speaks of Readiness 1. Readiness Principle .. prepared for 1. Readiness Principle .. prepared for

service and action … prepared in Word & service and action … prepared in Word & prayer prayer

I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father I Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2. Paul can say "I have fought, finished, 2. Paul can say "I have fought, finished, kept" in the "past tense" because he lived kept" in the "past tense" because he lived it in the "present tense." it in the "present tense."

3. Are you ready for battle? You will 3. Are you ready for battle? You will battle so be ready! battle so be ready!

B. Finishing speaks of Reward B. Finishing speaks of Reward

1. Battling is but for a day … the rewards 1. Battling is but for a day … the rewards are for an eternity. are for an eternity.

2. No crown without a cross … "with the 2. No crown without a cross … "with the cross of Jesus, going on before." cross of Jesus, going on before."

3. Words of commendation 3. Words of commendation

Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23 Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. joy of thy lord.

4. We need to long for the finish 4. We need to long for the finish line and live for the One who awaits us there.line and live for the One who awaits us there.

II Timothy 2:7 I have fought a good fight, I II Timothy 2:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the have finished my course, I have kept the faithfaith