Introduction: 1.
Each year we observe November 11 as
Veteran's Day.
2.
This holiday provides a special
opportunity for us to recognize our veterans.
3.
Perhaps this is a good time for us to
study a number of Scriptures that relate to Christians being soldiers in the
Lord's army, the church.
4.
Let us first point out . . .
Discussion:
I.
HOW
A PERSON BECOMES
A SOLDIER IN
THE LORD'S ARMY
A.
To become a soldier in the Lord's
army, we must come to the Father through Christ (John 14:6).
B.
To learn what is involved in coming
to the Father through Christ, let us examine Acts 2:36-41, 47b.
1.
Vs.41 is a key verse -- in coming to
God through Christ we must "gladly receive" the Lord's Word.
2.
This Word teaches us:
a.
something important about Jesus
(vs.36 - He is both Lord and Christ)
b.
something important about salvation
(vs.38 - we must repent and be baptized in the Lord's name to receive the
remission of sins)
c.
that the Lord adds those who are
saved to His church, His army (vs.47b).
C.
These passages teach us how to become
soldiers in the Lord's army, but there are some additional matters that we need
to consider.
II.
SOLDIERS IN
THE LORD'S ARMY
HAVE SOME WEIGHTY
RESPONSIBILITIES
A.
A soldier's main responsibility is to
fight, and this is true of Christian soldiers.
1.
We are not involved in physical
warfare because the Lord's kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
2.
Christian soldiers are involved in
spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:12).
3.
(1 Timothy 6:12) We are instructed to
"fight the good fight of
faith."
B.
To fight successfully we must fulfill
some additional responsibilities.
1.
We must be able to identify our
enemy.
a. The devil is our enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
b.
He is to be resisted (1 Peter 5:9).
2.
We must "endure hardness" (2 Timothy 2:3).
a. This is what "a good soldier" does.
b.
A good soldier will be properly armed
so he can endure hardness (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18).
3.
We must avoid being entangled with
the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4).
a. (Romans 13:12) "Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put
on the armor of light."
b.
The reason for this is so we may
please Him who chose us to be soldiers in His army.
Conclusion:
1.
Tuesday we will be thinking about
some wonderful virtues such as duty, honor, and sacrifice.
2.
These virtues are also important to
soldiers in the Lord's army.
3.
Those who fulfill their duty to the
best of their ability, maintain their honor, and sacrifice on the Lord's behalf
look forward to receiving a special blessing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).