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FIVE QUALITIES OF A GOOD SOLDIER

2 Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7-8

Intro: As Paul neared the end of his life, he languished in a Roman prison. But, from that cell, the great Apostle took steps to ensure that he would be remembered as a good solider of the cross. He took the time to write to young Timothy and give him the secret for becoming a good soldier. It is that thought that I would like to consider tonight as we think together about
the 5 Qualities Of A Good Soldier.

Perhaps this will encourage and challenge each of us to become the best soldiers that we can be for the glory of the Lord.

I. HE IS A FOLLOWER – 2 Tim. 2:3
A. Implies Relationship (The first step is to join the army) No one can be a soldier for the Lord until they first get into the army.
B. This is accomplished only through receiving Jesus as one's Savior, John 3:3; Eph.
2:8-9; Acts 16:31.
B. Implies Rank(There is always someone higher than you.) The same is true
in the Lord's army. Every child of God is under ranked under Jesus and is
responsible for following Him and His will for their lives, 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
(Ill, God always has a way of cutting down to size - Ill. Gideon, Judges
7:1-9 - From a General to a Sargent to a Private!)
C. Implies Rule (To refuse to follow orders is treason!) When we are in the
Lord's Army, we have the obligation of obeying His orders even unto the
death! Notice the call of Christ that has not changed, Matt. 16:24. When we
refuse to live as the Lord desires, then we have crossed the line from
follower to traitor - James 4:17.
I. He Is A Follower
 

II. 2:3-4; 4:7b HE IS FAITHFUL (Ill. Can be seen in:
A. 2:3 His Patience - Endures hardship and does not quit. The good soldier
realizes that there will be troubles along the way and is not detoured by
them. He understands that pain is often part of the Christian experience,
John 16:33. (Ill. Please remember that the Christian is called upon to face
life with extreme patience - Heb. 12:1. (In the NT the characteristic of a
man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith
and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.)
B. 2:4 His Priorities - Seeks to please the Commander. Notice that the
good soldier has no higher goal in life than pleasing His Superior. The good
soldier knows that anything which interferes with his performance in the
military must be done away with. The good soldier wants to please his
Superior and does whatever he has to do to get that job done! (Ill. Who
comes first in your life? Whatever or whoever it is, that is your god!
Pleasing Jesus ought to be the first priority of every child of God - 1 Cor.
10:31; 1 Cor. 6:20.)
C. 4:7b His Practice - Guards the truths of the faith. The good soldier
takes care of the things delivered unto him. He is determined to do a good
job, and he refuses to do anything to bring disgrace and dishonor upon his
Superior. (Ill. So it is with the Christian soldier. He wants to live his
life in a manner that brings honor to the Lord and not dishonor. Are you
keeping the faith this morning? Ill. Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10; 1 Thes.
2:11-12.)

III. HE IS FAMILIAR (Ill. There are some things that the good soldier knows. He
is familiar with:
A. With The Sound Of The Commanders's Voice - (Ill. John 10:3-5) The way to
get more familiar with the Lord's voice is to spend more time listening to
it. You do this by getting in the Word. Do you know Him when He speaks?
B. With The Skill Of Using His Weapons - (Ill. Eph. 6:10-18) The good
soldier knows that he is engaged in mortal warfare and he knows that the
only way to succeed in the fight is to be proficient in the use of spiritual
weaponry. You and I would do well to learn the art of spiritual warfare if
we intend to succeed for the glory of the Lord.
C. With The Strategy Of The Enemy - (Ill. 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Pet. 5:8) The good
soldier knows that the enemy is ever active and never rests. The good
soldier knows that the enemy is shrewd and ever attacking, but he also knows
the Lord is there to help him, Heb. 13:5. He knows that regardless of the
trap, God will make a way of escape for him, 1 Cor. 10:13. The good soldier
studies the methods of his enemy and learn his weaknesses and these exploits
to the fullest extent of his ability. The good Christian soldier needs to be
wise to the ways of the devil and he needs to know that the Lord Jesus is
greater than any enemy we will ever face, 1 John 4:4.)
D. With The Shadows Of His Friends - (Heb. 11:25) The good soldier not only
cares about his own welfare, but he also looks out for the welfare of his
fellow soldiers, Gal. 6:2. He learns about them by being around them. There
is a need for the soldiers of the Lord to train together.

IV. 4:7 HE IS A FIGHTER (Paul makes 3 statements in this verse that describe the
good soldier. Notice:
A. He Is Determined - The good soldier does not retreat in the face of the
enemy, he does not run from a fight. Instead, he stands his ground and
fights the battle until the battle is over! (Ill. Many Christian soldiers
have dropped out of the battle! I challenge you not be among that number!
Ill. 1 Tim. 1:19-20)
B. He Is Driven - The good soldier realizes that the battle does not run
according to his time frame. He knows that another is in charge of the
duration of the battle, but the good soldier is driven to finish. The good
soldier is in the battle to the finish. Are you? What would it take to make
you quit this morning? Many Christians are about one disaster and one
service away from quitting on the Lord. Does that describe you? I challenge
you to keep serving and keep fighting!
C. He Is Dedicated - The good soldier dedicates himself to keeping his oath.
He is determined to live for the Lord regardless of the personal cost. The
good soldier keeps the faith, do you? He keeps it by living it, sharing it
and defending it all the time. The faith is precious to the good soldier and
he does everything in his power to keep it pure and undefiled.

V. 4:7-8 HE IS A FINISHER
A. He Has Resolve -The good soldier is in it for the long haul. He does not
quit at the first hint of trouble. He is a finisher. God give us Christians
with the attitude of finishers. We need some who will stay by the stuff in
these days!
B. He Has A Reason -Why does the good soldier endure hardship, stay in the
fight, follow the Leader selflessly? The good soldier knows the price that
was paid by his Superior to make a place for him in the army. The good
soldier knows his lord loves him and that Jesus died to make a way of
salvation for him. Therefore, he loves the Lord and no price becomes too
high for the good soldier to pay.
C. He Has His Reward - The good soldier finishes his course because he knows
that at the end of the war, every deed will be rewarded by the Commander in
chief. For those who stay in the battle, there will come a glad day of
blessing. They will here the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful
servant...", Matt. 25:21, 23. What will be waiting you when you meet Jesus?
Conc: Would you classify yourself as a good soldier of the Lord? If you are like
me, you probably recognize areas where you could be a better soldier. If so,
then I challenge you to come to the Lord right now and let Him make things as
they should be. If you have never joined the army of the Lord, then today would
be a good time to make that a reality. When you pass from the scene, will it be
said that you were a good soldier of the Lord? It can be! But, that is up to
you!

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