Soldiers in FaithMatthew 8:5-13
Notable Bible Warriors
• Caleb
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went,
and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24, ESV)
Notable Bible Warriors
• Caleb• Joshua
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will
serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River,
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we
will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15, ESV)
Notable Bible Warriors
• Caleb• Joshua• Corneilus
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian
Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the
people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a
vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to
him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
(Acts 10:1-4, ESV)
Notable Bible Warriors
• Caleb• Joshua• Corneilus• Philippian Jailer
And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the
same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all
his family. (Acts 16:32-33, ESV)
For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and
he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he
does it.” (Matthew 8:9, ESV)
The Importance of Authority
• Without a chain of respected authority there is chaos, mob rule
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own
eyes. (Judges 21:25, ESV)
The Importance of Authority
• Without a chain of respected authority there is chaos, mob rule
• Without immediate obedience there is disaster, defeat
The Importance of Authority
• Without a chain of respect authority there is chaos, mob rule
• Without immediate obedience there is disaster, defeat
• Real authority is both obeyed AND exercised
Soldiers recognize spiritual authority
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)
Soldiers recognize spiritual authority
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the
church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
(Ephesians 1:22-23, ESV)
Soldiers recognize spiritual authority
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 14:37, ESV)
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by
us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against
another. (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)
Soldiers recognize spiritual authority
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Soldiers recognize spiritual authority
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.
Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him
into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked
works. (2 John 1:9-11, ESV)
Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience
• Alert• Watch• Watchful• Sober minded• Awake• On guard• Beware
Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience
• Obedience – Acts 8:36
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said,
“See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36, ESV)
Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience
• Obedience – Acts 8:36• Reconciliation - Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)
Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience
• Obedience – Acts 8:36• Reconciliation - Matthew 5:23-24• Concern for the lost- John 4:35
Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you,
lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. (John 4:35, ESV)
Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own
eyes. (Judges 21:25, ESV)
Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and
mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with
you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your
children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV)
Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and
mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with
you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your
children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV)
Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor
your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well
with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to
anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV)
Prayer
Thought
Plan
TIME
Effort
Authority is to be taken seriously from both directions
• Caleb – served the Lord wholly• Joshua- as for me and my house…• Corneilus- gathered souls around to hear
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