II Timothy 2:3-4

1. soldiers are brave, daring, motivated, suffering and sacrificing
2. our world is in turmoil today

1. there is frustration and despair, defeat and ruin
2. hearts crying for answers
3. people are fearful and insecure
4. people are throwing their lives at lust and drugs in order to find joy and satisfaction

3. where is the church; is there any word from God?
1. if the church of Jesus Christ is to meet the challenge of today, it cannot be a comfort-loving club that tries to escape all suffering
2. when leaders of a church choose popularity over persecution, it is on thin ice
3. good soldiers on fire for Christ is our only hope

1. Jesus is our example of being a good solder
1. He never hesitated to show His true colors; though is meant suffering and hardship
2. He never sought the easy way out
3. He set his face to go to Jerusalem and to endure the cross
4. with much pain and suffering, He lived His prayer "Father, not my will but thine be done
2. Jesus never promised His followers an easy road - Matthew 16:24
1. He never tried to fool people into following Him
2. He must have shocked His listeners with the words of Matthew 5:11
3. Jesus said, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you" - Luke 6:26
4. in His farewell speech He said, "if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" - John 15:20
3. not long after Pentecost the disciples experienced persecution - Acts
1. Peter and John were thrown into prison
2. Stephen was stoned (the first martyr)
3. Paul persecuted many, and later he was persecuted for the faith
4. only good soldiers of the cross could handle the treatment they received
5. these were soldiers of heroic proportion, and we can be like them - Acts 15:26
6. the world had a much different view of them - I Corinthians 4:11-13
4. Christians have been given a soldiers uniform - Ephesians 6:10-17
1. this armor is not for the weak of heart
2. our activity is clearly spelled out - Ephesians 6:12
3. our program is warfare, not R&R - I Timothy 6:12
4. Paul, a veteran officer, spoke of his battle - II Timothy 4:7
1. these are not words of a coward
2. on his body he had scares from whips, rods, and stones - II Corinthians 11:23-27
3. Paul was a battle scared soldier because he loved Jesus Christ - II Corinthians 5:14-15
5. a good soldier must endure hardness - II Timothy 2:3
5. what is the status of churches in America today?
1. cushioned pews
2. satisfied to give some of their leftover time, energy, and money to the Lord
3. many are more concerned about popularity than standing for what is right or winning souls
4. many are silent and afraid to show their true colors, but claim to be followers of Christ
5. if we are to conquer this world for Christ, then we need good soldiers
6. Christ is looking for soldiers today
1. the kind that are brave & daring
2. they must be willing to go forth and conquer by faith
7. being a Christian is not easy, if we are to be a Christian that Christ delights in
6. how to be a good soldier for Christ
1. we must be sure of our membership
1. we must have the peace of forgiveness that comes through the blood of Christ
2. no "hope so" or "think so" Christian can be much of a soldier
3. we can know that our sins are forgiven & that we are heaven bound (we have God’s Word in it)
2. we must be willing to take a stand for Christ at any cost
1. then would the church of Jesus Christ march forward
2. then there would be eternal conquest (souls being save)
3. we must daily wear His uniform & use His equipment
1. Sunday morning Christians will never make an army
2. we must daily live in the Word of God
3. we must pray without ceasing
4. a thin diet of prayer & Bible reading will take us off the front lines for Christ and put us in the bleachers for Satan
5. to many Christians are afraid of getting to much religion, and so the world around us continues to go to hell
4. being a Christian is not easy, if we are to be a Christian that Christ delights in
5. are you a good soldier of the cross?