Living Hope Fellowship Church...Sermons From the Pastor
SOLDIER
by Pastor Kevin Badgley
Exodus 15:3 says, "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name." We that are saved are soldiers of the cross, and Jesus is the Captain of our salvation. The Christian's armor is listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. Jesus, our Captain, came down from heaven and became a recruit himself. Hebrews 5:8-9 says, "(8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
If you have a feeling of unworthiness, it will leave when you discipline yourself. You will have confidence in God if you do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:21-22). We are commanded to serve God (Mark 12:30-31).
Every spiritual soldier goes to war eventually. We war in the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
Joshua and Caleb sent men to spy out the land, and two out of the twelve sent were true soldiers. The other 10 were cowards, and said they were not able to take the land. Joshua and Caleb said in Numbers 14:9, "Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not." There is no place for cowards in God's army.
Jesus has already been on the battlefield as a warrior (Hebrews 2:18 & Hebrews 4:15). He calls us to be warriors, soldiers. You may not think you are able, but if you discipline yourself during the training, it makes you able. Some observe the Judases and the Sauls who have failed, but don't go there! David was called when he was young; first he became a warrior, and then a king.
A soldier's appearance and determination shows he has a purpose. If there is no discipline it shows up: wrinkles, shoes not shined, etc. Luke 16:10 says, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." You have to take the pressure in little things to be able to handle the big things. A soldier does not turn to the right or the left, but his eyes are "right on." There is no compromising! The will of God needs to be in our hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-3). Serve well in the army of the King, that there be no mockery. Some will be wounded in service, but he still wants us to fight and do his work.
There are ranks in the army of God. Don't stay a recruit; there is a need for officers and privates. There need to be some generals, some sons of God, so get higher in the Lord! John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." A soldier loves God enough to lay down his life to die for others.
2 Samuel 17:10. "And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men." Our heavenly Father is a mighty man. Exodus 15:3 says, "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name." Are we with him as valiant men? Act 1:8 says we shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon us. We cannot be defeated going God's way, but people are fat, lazy, and unbelieving. There is a great lack of discipline. Find out what GOD wants you to do, and do it.
Gideon's army was reduced by God from 20,000 to 300 men. God gleaned it down that much to get the fearful ones out. He showed what he could do with just a few valiant men. In God's army there is no retirement, but don't forget the benefits! You must remain in this army until you die. If you are in it 99 years and in your 100th year you curse God, you will go to hell. You must be totally dependent on God, not the arm of flesh. Read 2 Timothy 2:3-5.
Read your Bible. The Holy Ghost will bring it back to your remembrance (John 14:26). Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "(7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
There are two verses that Christians have misused that work against being a soldier. The first one is Luke 19:13, ". . . Occupy till I come." The second one is Matthew 10:22, ". . . but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Some take the first one as meaning to occupy the pew or fill a space. The other is taken by some to mean only hold on to the end, doing nothing else. Satan's ranks are specially designed to destroy country and church, but we can overcome him.
God has not changed. He has a remnant. A holy boldness from God comes upon you when you know God is with you. You can witness and fight in the Lord's battles. The fearful and the unbelieving shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Rev. 21:8). The biggest war is between your ears, in your mind.
There is a glorious dignity in being blood bought saints and warriors in God's army. He delivers us from the enemy. Fear, doubt, and complaining have no place here. We cannot lower the standard to gain more recruits; we must overcome in Christ. Matthew 11:12, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
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