A Good Soldier of Christ

 

Veteran’s Day Sunday

Introduction:  Watch clip:

 

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4vpOcgn4Gk

 

A.   Yesterday was Veteran’s Day, a day that we as Americans have set aside to honor those who have served or are serving our country.

 

     B.   It is appropriate that we should set aside to remember

          those who have given so much so that we can enjoy the

          freedoms and privileges of living in this great land

of The United States of America.

 

     C.   But let's not forget who has made us great!  All that

          America is is because of the grace of God!!

          "God shed his grace on thee . . . ."

 

     D.   And there are other people who have given so much so

we may know God through Christ.

 

     Trans:

          One of these is Paul!  He was most definitely A Good

          Soldier of Christ! That is what I want to talk to you

          about today: “A Good Soldier of Christ.”

 

                            Prayer

                        II Timothy 2:1-7

 

I.   A Good Soldier of Christ is strong!

     A.   The strength is found in the grace that is in Jesus

          Christ. v.1

              I can do all things through Christ which

              strengtheneth me!  Phil. 4:13

 

     B.   Paul had found the strength he needed to endure prison

          etc. in Christ and he is telling Timothy to rely on

          Christ.

          1.   Strength during sickness!

          2.   Strength during difficult times!

3.   “Share in suffering like a good soldier of

Christ.” Vs.3

 

a.   A Christian shouldn’t always demand their rights; sometimes we should be willing to suffer for Christ!

b.   On the other hand, a Christian should always be an advocate for the rights of those who are being overlooked or abused by society!

c.   It really affects how Christians are viewed!  Are they viewed as people who are always fusing that they aren't getting what's coming to them, or are they viewed as people who are always advocating for others?

 

II.  A Good Soldier of Christ teaches others what he/she has

     learned in Christ!  v.2

 

A.   This is how God’s Kingdom is grown.  It is God's method and it has been called, "the ministry of multiplication."

 

     B.   The key is to be able to teach others well enough that

          they can in turn teach others!

 

     C.   That's why teaching is so important!  That is part of

          what preaching does!

 

III. A Good Soldier has endurance!  v.3

          But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall

          be saved.  Matt. 24:13

 

     A.   He that endures doesn't let himself be entangled in

The affairs of this life to the point that he leaves

Out Christ!  v.4

          1.   Money is good, but it shouldn’t become our god!

          2.   Pleasure is good, but it shouldn’t become our

god!

 

     B.   He that endures plays by the rules. v.5

1.   Discipline – be consistent in our service and worship of God!

          2.   Self-Control

              a.   moderation is key

              b.   keep our vows to God and each other.

3.   Tolerance – allow others to experience the same grace that we all need!

4.   Love – love God and love others as ourselves! The two greatest commandments we talked about last week!

 

     C.   He that endures is a hard worker. v.6 (The husbandman

          or farmer represents a hard worker.)

 

Conclusion:

     A.   As Paul neared the end of his life he could look back

          and see that:

          1.   He had endured!

          2.   He had played by the rules!

          3.   He had worked hard!

          4.   He had taught others so God's message wouldn't

              stop with him!

 

     B.   His advice to Timothy was to do the same, and it's his

          advice to us too!

 

     C.   Are we heeding that advice?

 

     D.   Do we need the strength found in Christ?  Are we good

soldiers of Christ?

 

     E.   If we find ourselves lacking in any of Paul’s advice

to Timothy, we can ask Christ to help us as we

encounter Christ at the table this morning.

 

                      Prayer of Confession

 

Service of Communion