Soldier
Introduction
 Read selected Hymns.
 Exodus 15:3 - The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
 II Tim. 2:3 - Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ. No one
serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his
commanding officer.
 Read the Description of the Roman Soldier by Josephus (Paul knew Romans
Soldiers well and that is probably the reasons he used them as such examples.
Not many Christians realize that when they give their lives to Jesus, they are
automatically drafted into a mighty army; God’s Army. They also don’t realize that
they automatically become a target for an unseen enemy. We, as children of the King,
are right in the middle of a war. A war bloodier, and more violent than any military
war has ever been on the face of the earth. A war with far more future implications
than anyone can ever imagine. A war with more casualties than anyone could ever
dream. A war, in which, you might not see your enemy outright. A war, which, you do
not fight flesh and blood but a far more powerful and cunning enemy than this world
knows. People don't just die physically in this war; they can become spiritually lost,
without God, forever. That is why it is so important that we, God’s army, His soldiers
of war, become very effective soldiers in the Army of God!
Characteristics of the soldier
Put up Transparency – Characteristics of a soldier
There are many characteristics of a soldier of war that we can learn from and imitate
as Christian soldiers.
Carefully consider the following characteristics and evaluate how effective (or
ineffective) you are and how effective you could become!
 The soldier is trained
1Timothy 4:7b-8…Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some
value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the
present life and the life to come.
No one would ever conceive landing on the battlefield with no training! And yet
many Christians do not see the need to get spiritual training, and in effect they
are untrained, unprepared soldiers that are easy pickings for the enemy. We
must see the importance of getting trained! We must learn how to use our
weapons, we must learn the ways of the enemy, and we must know our
master's orders and know our mission. If we don't, we are of little use.
To battle successfully in the spiritual realm, you must train your spirit. To
train yourself, read God's Word each day, pray often, get together with other
Christians, and memorize Scripture.
Like the Roman Soldiers we train day in and day out war or no war with our
weapon always by our side.
Arrange time in your schedule to do all of these.
If you have any opportunity to get good training in real Christianity, do it!
Christians must begin to see the importance and necessity of being spiritually
prepared and trained for war.
 The soldier is disciplined & unafraid
2 Timothy 1:17 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of
power, of love and of self-discipline.
In Boot camp, the soldier must learn how to be disciplined. His life could
depend on it. He must prepare physically and mentally to carry out his orders
even when his body and mind are screaming out in rebellion.
As Christians, we will never reach the depth of spiritual maturity and level of
readiness that God wants to bring us to, if we do not lead disciplined Christian
lives. Sadly, speaking from personal experience, spiritual discipline for most is
the hardest thing to maintain. Why? Because the enemy knows that disciplined
Christian soldiers become the most effective, and he tries everything to hinder
us from achieving it.
 The soldier obeys orders
The soldier learns to obey orders. He knows the authority his superiors have,
the mission objective they have, and he knows that he has an important (no
matter how insignificant it may seem) part to play in the mission.
Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep
watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their
work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Imagine a soldier with an independent streak, thinking he knows better than his
superiors and with no regard to the mission, going on a rampage with no back
up and with no authorization. Although he may have limited success, he will
soon lose his ammunition, have no back up and get wasted. His escapade may
even be detrimental to the real mission!
How true this is as Christians. Many people with an independent spirit, will not
be accountable to the spiritual authority over them, and thinking they know
better, set out to do things their own way. Very often, these people end up as
cannon fodder for the enemy. The spiritual authority that is over us (pastors,
elders) are ordained by God, and it is very important to have their blessing,
wisdom and input with the mission at hand.
Like the Roman Soldiers we fear God (our leader) more than we fear anything
else (our enemy).
 The soldier is armed, ready for battle
2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18 - For though we live in the world, we
do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds.
These verses show the importance of living holy righteous lives before God. If
we don't, we are very vulnerable to serious attacks from the enemy! In reality,
many Christians are trying to fight in nothing but their Y-fronts!
Even with all of your armor on, you will feel the heat of battle. Attacks will
come, and they may be severe, but your amour will protect you! Remember
the importance of your amour, a holy life before God!
We know that the Word of God is our sword, but how many of us really know
how to use it?
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
 The soldier knows the enemy's strategies
2 Corinthians 2:11…in order that Satan might not outwit us, for we are not
unaware of his schemes.
The soldier has studied the enemy's strategies and tactics and is ready for
them! So often we don't recognize an attack until we are right in the middle of
it! We need to be aware how Satan works so that he will not outwit us. Be
ready. Learn about the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses like we did last week
when we preached on “If I was Satan”.
Be aware of Satan's most effective weapons against us like complacency,
lukewarmness, fear, comfort zones, lust, selfishness, etc.
 The soldier expects, endures & grows through hard times
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything.
The soldier doesn't expect war to be a walk on the beach. He knows that he is
going to face very hard times. He knows that he may have friend's die, he
knows that he will have to endure severe, lengthy times of warfare. He knows
that he may be killed… He knows what to expect and when the hard times
come, he endures them, knowing that hard times are a very real part of war.
After all, war is not meant to be fun. He did not enlist to have fun; he enlisted
because he wanted to give all he has to the cause.
You may be one of those who, when hard times come, think that all hell has
broken loose against you, and can't understand it, because you think that the
Christian life is meant to be full of blessings and warm fuzzys. You may have to
risk all to save a friend.
Welcome to the real world. Jesus never promised a life full of warm fuzzys, but
He did promise hard times. As Christians we must realize that hard times and
spiritual attacks are all a part of the normal everyday life of a Christian soldier!
I know many people who have given up on Jesus because they say it is too hard.
Yes it is hard, and yes if you are serious about being a history maker for Jesus
you will be attacked, but what's more important?
A comfortable life, or being used to save people destined for an eternity in
Hell? Sadly, many people think a comfortable life is more important. How
about you?
Spurgeon:
God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may
be certified with their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real
growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our
comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his
soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using
them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through
streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long
mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs."
The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must
we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. (Morning and
Evening)
 The soldier remembers his blood brothers
I John 3:14, 16 – We know that we have passed from death to life, because we
love our brothers. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his
life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Read Story from “Stories from the Heart”.
This is how the world knows that we are from God and this is one of the most
powerful ways to defeat our enemy. Lay our lives down for one another.
 The soldier gives his whole life for the cause
Romans 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer
your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual
act of worship.
In both World Wars, even before people were drafted in, thousands of men
volunteered to defend and serve their country on the battlefield. Many of them
had families and a future, and knew they might never return, but they knew
the importance of the mission and willingly gave their lives in total dedication.
How many Christians serve Jesus with that devotion? Giving everything we have
and are to God and doing what He wants us to do? In reality, that is the real
meaning of the word Christian… A follower of Jesus. Jesus said it Himself…
Matthew 16:24-25 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come
after me, he must take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
We must give everything to God, our whole lives. That's where we find our
future and our hope… complete surrender to Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.
Submitting to our ultimate authority:
When Maximian became Emperor of the West he did his utmost to destroy
Christianity. There was in the Roman army a famous legion of ten thousand
men, called the Thebian Legion. It was formed entirely of Christians. Once,
just before going into battle with the enemy, the Emperor commanded the
Thebian Legion to sacrifice to idols. Their leader, in the name of his ten
thousand soldiers, refused. The Emperor then ordered them to be decimated —
that is, every tenth man to be killed. Still they were firm, and again, the
second time, the cruel order was given for every tenth man to be slain. Fully
armed, with their glittering eagles flashing on their helmets, the Christian
soldiers stood in the perfect discipline of Rome, ready to die, but not to yield.
Again they were ordered to sacrifice, and the brave answer was returned, "No;
we were Christ’s soldiers before we were Maximian’s." Then the furious
Emperor gave the order to kill them all! Calmly the remaining soldiers laid
down their arms, and knelt whilst the other troops put them to the sword. So
died the Thebian Legion, faithful unto death!
 Three Kinds of Soldiers & Ten Principles of Warfare
o
o
Put up Soldier Transparency
See the similarities between real life and the church.
The soldier
SAY: I AM A SOLDIER WHEN I POINT TO YOU!
I am a soldier in the Army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding
officer; the Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, righteousness and the
Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by
experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, I
serve willingly and it is not a short-term assignment because I am enlisted for
eternity. My retirement from this army will only come about during rapture or if I
die. But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out. I am and will be
faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. When my God needs me, I'm there.
Wherever He needs me He can use me because I will be willing and available. I'm a
soldier - I'm not a baby - I do not need to be pampered or pampers, petted, primed
up, pumped up, picked up, pepped up or constantly peeped on. I am a soldier. No one
has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, lure me or constantly
chase or make up to me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I find my place saluting my
King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His Kingdom. No one has to
send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts. I do not need to be
cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to. I am committed. I cannot be offended
enough or have my feelings hurt enough to make me turn around. I cannot be
discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose too many battles that would
cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army I had nothing, if I end up with
nothing I'll still come out ahead. I will win. I will be Victorious. My God will supply
all my needs. I'm more than a conqueror, and I will always triumph. I can do all
things through Christ. I am a soldier. Devils can’t defeat me, people can’t disillusion
me, weather can’t weary me, sickness can’t stop me, battles can’t beat me,
Governments can’t silence me and hell can’t handle me. I am a soldier. Even death
cannot destroy me for when my commander calls me from this battlefield He'll
promote me, give me a crown then bring me back to rule this world with Him. I am a
soldier in the army of the Lord and I'm marching forward to victory, I will not give
up, I will not turn around - I am a soldier - Marching Heaven bound - Here I stand…
Will you stand with me? Author unknown
Conclusion
We are the most important army of all time! The End Time army!
Look at the words that Jesus used to tell us what we are to be like in the last days!
 Matt. 24:4
Watch out
 Matt. 24:6b Do not alarmed
 Matt. 24:13 Stand firm
 Matt 24:26
Do not go here or go there
 Matt. 24:42 Keep watch
 Matt. 24:44 Be ready so the enemy can’t break in.
 Matt. 25
Do not asleep during peacetime
 Luke 21:8
Watch out that you are not deceived
 Luke 21:34
Be careful…that day will come on you unexpectantly like a trap
 Luke 21:36
Be always on the watch
 2 Tim. 3:5b Have nothing to do with them
 I Thes. 5:1-5 Don’t look for times and dates…Don’t believe peace & safety…do
not fall asleep like the others
 I Peter 4:7
Be clear minded and self-controlled so you can pray.
o The end times are just like soldiers getting ready for the final battle.
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, M. A
Let no one say that he has no taste for warfare. Each one of us is pledged to fight.
Each one of us bears the sign of the Cross, which binds him to be Christ’s soldier till
his life’s end. Once, in the old wars, the French took prisoner an English drummerboy. They amused themselves by making the lad play on his instrument, and presently
one asked him to sound the retreat. The drummer answered proudly that he had
never learnt how to do that!
The Kingdom of God suffers violence and violent men take it by force!