I am a Soldier
Tim Rice 11.26.23 North Palm church
2 Tim 2:1-4 NLT 1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
“Far be it from me for one of my children to sit in a place of comfort when I have said it’s a time for war”
In a time of war it’s important for us to recognize soldiers must arise and be in position.
Note** David was in his palace when he was supposed to be at war. He was not in position and it cost him much. Not being in position led him to a place of adultery, murder, lying, manipulation and later had to mourn the loss of a child.
When we are not in position some of our greatest fallings take place.
"I am a soldier at the battlefield waiting to hear the voice of my commander ‘O Jesus if you call my name I will answer a billion times"
We must become those that stop running and being afraid of opposition. Opposition produces endurance in us. Endurance develops strength of character and character, hope.
Don’t get tied up.
Mark 3 how can you go into the strongman’s house, unless you first bind him. When you are tied up, you become an easy target for the enemy.
DON’T BECOME DISTRACTED IN THIS SEASON!
It comes to get us to focus on the lesser thing.
Set your mind on things ABOVE!
There is nothing more dangerous than being distracted on the battlefield. When you are distracted, it takes 23 minutes for you to get back into focus. Smart phones have become the #1 cause of death among military members.
Mary and Martha example- she was cooking a big dinner. We can have Jesus right in our space and still allow ourselves to be distracted.
1. Posture
There is not one area in your life that posture does not play a big part. In the military, when you approach a superior officer, we must be “at attention” not “at rest”. How are we postured before the LORD? Are we taking commandments as orders or more like suggestions?
“I have a people who have a problem with bowing their knees but no problem lifting their hands. You can look surrendered and still be doing what you want to do.”
2 Chron 6:12-13 Soloman is dedicating the temple of the LORD. The posture of attention the LORD wants from us is us bowed low, broken and contrite before HIM.
Is it possible, our posture is proving we are taking the LORD way too lightly?
2. Weapon- your weapon is the WORD
Confession- Homologio- to say what has been said. Is it possible that you simply needed to go back to the place where you laid down your weapon?
Jesus modeled this for us when He was tempted. “It is Written” – how foolish for us to think we can try to do it any other way.
The Word says “take every thought captive”
3. Connection- “Connection is protection” -
surround yourself with people who see you as God sees you. We need a battle buddy.
God is looking for the soldiers that will stand up in this moment and say “I am listening”
May we be the ACTIVE and not the passive,
Those that REVERENCE and are not familiar,
That are ATTENTIVE and not distracted,
Those that welcome opposition because we know it is producing Endurance in us.