A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST

2 TIMOTHY 2:3

10/58

 

I.  WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

 

      1.  A spiritual dilettantes. 

 

Can't worship except architecture be correctly Gothic, otherwise dainty soul shocked.

 

Can't pray unless aided by sundry gentlemen whose garments are tailored according to the directions of the ecclesiastical fashion book for the various seasons of the year.

 

      2.  A theological polemicist.

 

A forensic champion, proficient in Scriptural hair-splitting walking about with a theological chip of shoulder - dare anyone to knock it off.

 

      3.   A modern day sophist.

 

A news commentator, book reviewer, club speaker, grand-hand shaker, fence straddler.  Could heave him a thousand times, knows not what he believeth.

 

A composer of spiritual riddles.  A picker out of words - a speller over syllables, a magnifier of microscopic points - after hearing know not what he saith.  A peeper through spiritual spy-glasses, fancying he can interpret what wise man leave to God to expound.

 

      4.  A positive thinker.

 

The "bear ideal" of a Christian, a man who can sleep out his existence in blissful serenity, who drinks great doses of peace of mind something syrup, the religion of making friends and influencing people.  In a state of ecclesiastical hibernation, while the world's on fire and souls are falling into hell.

 

But Paul's definition.

 

Far from being a religious fop whose delight is in music.

 

Far from being a theological hair-splitting critic.

 

Far from being a spiritual yoeman who cares for nothing but the enjoy the first things full of marrow.

 

Far from being an ecclesiastical slumberer who longs only for peace for himself.

 

But a solider: in dust, in smoke, in heat of the battle.

 

Garmenter rolled in blood.

 

Swords hacked, armor dented, shields bruised.

 

A man of deeds, not words.

 

The trumpet sounding, the call to arms, battling not foes of flesh of blood but contending with foes far worse.

 

Satan and the hosts of hell and darkness.

 

II.  PAUL'S APPEAL TO TIMOTHY - NOT JUST A SOLDIER BUT A "GOOD" SOLDIER

 

      1. Loyal to his Lord, King, Captain.

 

He whose name is called "wonderful, counselor…"

 

Devoted, brave enough to own his cause, upholds his name in office, workshop, market, playground.

 

Heart full of loving devotion.

 

Compare:  His men overhearing David's wish "Oh, for a drink of water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem."

 

      2.  Obedient to the Great Captain's commandments.

 

Not following tradition, church practices, opinions of men, but the marching orders of Christ.

 

Compare:  Matthew 28:18-20 Not practice as ordinance because any church teaches it, parents believe it, but search the Scriptures, read the orders, obey…

 

Compare:  1 Samuel 15:22 "to obey is better than sacrifice."

 

Spreading abroad the glorious gospel that saved our souls, is able to save the souls of others.

 

Obedient, faithful unto death.

 

Let the danger be what may, honored by having such a service allotted.

 

"God to the rescue."  But never come back alive!"  Said nothing about coming back alive - go to the rescue.

 

      3.  Dedicated to victory.

 

Prayerfully eager to carry the of the great King to the highest hill.

 

Winning for Christ - trophies of grace to lay at His blessed feet.

 

      4.  Persevering.

 

Not out to win a skirmish, a battle, but the war.

 

A soldier in a warfare as long as the ages, as old as sin, death, as far-reaching, meaningful as the infinite grace of God.

 

How many grow cold, weary, indifferent, zealous for answers.  "I am going to quit."  Hurt look in face, weariness in eyes, the enemy Satan isolate you from the army, discourage you, by making you lose sight of the Great Captain's face.

 

The appeal of Paul: Suffer hardship with me, as…

 

The man who wrote the words in prison.  Not his first visit, 2 Corinthians 11.

 

Writes to Timothy say:  "Timothy, I have found it hard.  Hope you find it easier…"

 

Compare:  Two ship anchored in harbor, arriving from different directions. One, under fair skies, placid sea of glass.  The other, battled massive waves overwhelm superstructure, storms, delayed, damaged.  If a prize for one of the captains, which?

 

III.  ENCOURAGEMENT

 

      1.  You are not alone; all along the line, meeting this far.

 

In the church, instance of apostolic ardor, self-sacrifice commitment, such as read of in ancient records but not expected to see.  In this house, they who will shine as star forever and ever.

 

      2.  You are not forgotten: the Father watches over…

 

      a. Story of White Prince.  Battle raging, sent word to his father the King for re-enforcement's.  Father far hill watching.  "Go back - say, I too wise a King not to know when re-enforcement's are needed, to good a Father to send them."

 

      3.  The victory that awaits.

 

Compare:  Psalm 24:7-10.

 

A grand thing to share in that ultimate triumph.

 

Compare:  Arch of Titus - up hill, temple of Jupiter, rewarded.