Be A Good Soldier in Battle, Part 4 (2)
Becoming a Good Soldier of God • Sermon • Submitted • 2:14:13
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· 408 viewsThe good soldier of God possess certain qualities that enable them to be their best in the service of God.
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Introduction
In the second epistle of Paul to Timothy, the apostle laid down certain qualities that will make Timothy a good soldier of Christ.
For Timothy these are reminders, since he was already engage in battle
For many among us, this should serve as preparatory lessons so we are ready to engage in spiritual warfare.
Sharing in the suffering
Sharing in the suffering
The good soldier shares in the suffering for the gospel.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
Paul was not ashamed of his suffering
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Onesiphorus was not ashamed of the suffering
The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.
The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
Suffering is part of Christian testimony.
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Sharing in the suffering has a special benefit for the believer:
When we suffer together with Christ, we will be glorified together with Him!
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Being Strong
Being Strong
The good soldier of Christ is strong.
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Note: strong - grk. endynamoo, empowered, to be enabled
The good soldier is empowered by the grace of God.
The purpose of empowerment is so that we can empower others.
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Enduring hardship
Enduring hardship
The good soldier of Christ is ready to endure hardship.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Note: grk. kakopatheo means “to suffer evil, suffer misfortune, to be in distress
Hardship is part of ministry.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The hardships endured by the good soldier...
staying away from the affairs of this life.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
competing according to the rules.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
planting, maintaining, and waiting for the harvest.
The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
enduring for the sake of others (elect).
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
presenting oneself approved unto God.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Note: diligent, grk. spoudazo, to be eager, make every effort
Note: approved, grk. dokimos, accepted, tested
The good soldier has nothing to be ashamed of, because:
he does not quarrel over unprofitable words
he stays away from idle chatter
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Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
The good soldier rightly divides the Word of truth.
grk. orthotomeo, to cut straight, to analyze correctly
teach the doctrine correctly
explain or expound the Scripture correctly
Maintaining a clean life
Maintaining a clean life
The good soldier of Christ maintains a clean life.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Things that make us “unclean” and “not ready for the Master’s use”:
profane and idle chatter
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
youthful lusts
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
foolish and ignorant disputes
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
Conclusion
What is the purpose of all these qualifying descriptions?
To give the servant of God the right skills and characteristics necessary towards effective gospel proclamation.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
The servant of God...
will not quarrel - he is strong and ready to suffer, to endure
is gentle - he is willing to endure
is apt to teach - he is able to expound the Scripture
is patient - he is willing to wait
The real strength of the soldier of Christ does not lie in brute strength, but in tactical wisdom!
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves!