Sermon Text: 2 Tim. 2:3-4; 4:6-8
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Sermon Title: Band of Brothers
Introduction
This weekend, we celebrate Memorial Day. A day first observed on May 30, 1868 to honor those who died in the Civil War. Now, on Memorial Day, we honor the memories of all those who have died in the military in the service of the United States of America. We would all do well to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom this morning. There have been hundreds of thousands of great soldiers in this countries history. While we honor the war dead throughout America's history this morning, another great Soldier comes to my mind.
I am reminded of those in the Christ's Army who have died on the battlefields of faith and of the legacy they left behind. I am referring to people like those mentioned in Hebrews 11. Great men and women of God who were good soldiers of the cross and who died on the battlefield to preserve our precious faith. I want to honor them as well. As we think of these people who have sacrificed so much for us, I want to remind you of a very awesome truth.
Timothy has come to a point in his life where he's functioning really in his human strength. As a result of that, he is weak, he has no courage. He is failing to use his gift in the fullness of its capability. He is fearful of the enemies that he's facing while he's ministering there in Ephesus where he was when Paul wrote him this letter. It's a very difficult time. He seems to be demonstrating a tendency to be ashamed of the gospel, seems to be maybe not even holding to the true faith fully as he should. And so in his time of weakness, Paul says to him in verse 1, "Be strong in...or by means of...the grace that is in Chris Jesus." By virtue of your union with Christ because you're connected to Christ, the moving of the Holy Spirit is the power in your life. And that's really the theme of this epistle.
Timothy was left to minister in Ephesus. It was a very difficult ministry. The church had fallen into ungodly behavior and an unbiblical theology. Christians were under the threat of persecution from the emperor and from Rome. And as a result it was a very hard time. Timothy was young, fighting all kinds of battles in his own personal life, battles of his own holiness and purity. Some were saying he was too young to be a leader. And Paul tells him not to let men despise his youth. He had a lot of battles going on and was falling into a place where looking at his human resources he felt that he was inadequate to do the job.
So, Paul writes this second epistle to him, the last letter Paul ever wrote in his life before his death, and says to him, "Be strong by means of the grace," that is the assistance, unmerited assistance and help, "which is available to you through your union with Christ Jesus." Don't depend on your own strength, get in the flow of the power of God. That's the issue here.
He is calling for spiritual strength and not only on the part of Timothy but on the part of all spiritual leaders and all of God's people. So this is a word to us about how to be a strong Christian. The issue here, the elements of strong spiritual life. That's what we're looking at.
Jesus, after all, had promised in Acts 1:8, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you." He had said also in Luke 24:49 that His disciples would be clothed with power from on high. In other words, we should be able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, Ephesians 3:20 says, according to the power that works in us. The available power of God is at our disposal. And that's what Paul reminds Timothy about in this passage.
It's easy in the ministry to become weary, discouraged, weak, disillusioned, fearful, even shallow in your confidence because the battle is hard. And it's incessant and we're human. And that's where Timothy is and that's where all of us are some of the time and some of us are most of the time. And we need the word about spiritual strength.
It's not something new that a man should call for the spiritual strength of another.
I think back to Joshua chapter 1 where Joshua, the successor of Moses, is confronted by God Himself. And knowing the task that awaits Joshua, as it were, to take up the leadership of his people that belonged to Moses, God says to him in Joshua 1:6, "Be strong and courageous." And then again in verse 7, "Be strong and very courageous, be careful to do according to all the law which Moses, My servant, commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success."
And in 1 Chronicles 22:13 David said to the one who followed him, Solomon, "Be strong and courageous." And those are only samples of many such exhortations throughout redemptive history.
The Apostle Paul, for example, had that attitude toward the whole of the Corinthian church. In 1 Corinthians 16:13 he said, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith. Act like men, be strong and let all that you do be done in love." And so spiritual strength belongs to the greatest of leaders and also belongs to all of God's people.
Paul writing in the Galatian letter in chapter 4 and verse 19 gave his heart cry when he said, "My children with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you." In other words, I want you to be like Christ, strong and mature and powerful.
Ephesians 4 indicates the same injunction when the Apostle Paul writes that you would be coming in your spiritual development to the fullness of the stature of Christ.
In Colossians 1 Paul says it's my desire to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
In Ephesians 6:10 he says, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
So, the call for spiritual strength comes in many ways throughout the Scriptures. And that essentially is what the Word of God is bringing to bear on our hearts in this hour today. Looking back at verse 1 by way of a brief review, the text reads, "You therefore, my son, keep on being empowered by means of the grace that is in Christ Jesus." In other words, put yourself in the position to receive the available power that flows graciously to those who are united with Christ. Live the kind of life that experiences the power of God. Timothy, don't fall into times of weakness, they are unnecessary.
Now how are we to understand what a strong Christian life is like? Well, he gives us four pictures. You remember, I mentioned them to you last week...
the teacher,
the soldier,
the athlete
and the farmer.
And these four pictures portray for us in very clear terms what it means to be a strong believer. Each of them is intended to convey to us some element of spiritual strength that we need to understand.
Now, first of all, look at verse 2 again. We studied it last time, this is just a brief recap. In verse 2 he says, "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses." In other words, that is the truth of God, the revelation of God which I taught to you, revelation from God attested to by other witnesses, not just my own opinion, the Word of God which I taught to you, these truths you entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. In other words, you're a teacher. I taught you, you teach others so they can teach others. That's the essence. We have to see ourselves as having received a deposit of truth, as he says in chapter 1 verses 12 to 14. We have received a deposit of truth to be guarded and at the same time given away...an interesting paradox. Guard its purity and give it to someone else who also will guard its purity. We have received the oracles of God. We have received the truth of God. That treasure is to be kept clean and pure and passed on to the next generation. And so he says, "Look, Timothy, you can't quit, you can't bail out, you can't drop the baton, you cannot step out of the line. You are a link in a living chain and somebody, namely me, gave the truth to you and there are faithful and competent men waiting for you to give it to them so they can give it to others." That's the living chain of which every believer is a part.
And to whom is Timothy to give the truth? Faithful men, that speaks of their spiritual character, they're loyal, they're trustworthy with the truth. Secondly, able to teach men, competent to teach. That is their skill in terms of teaching. So pour your life into the spiritually trustworthy and the spiritually gifted who will be able to pass the truth on to the next generation. You're a teacher.
That's true of a spiritual leader, that's true of every believer. A strong believer is one who has the truth and guards it and gives it away. So a strong Christian is a diligent student of Scripture. A strong Christian is faithful to articulate that Scripture. A strong Christian is loyal to the intent and content of that Scripture and involved in the training of others who can train others still. So we're teachers...every believer has received truth to be passed on.
Now, if you see yourself as a teacher, that's the first major thrust of your spiritual strength. That's who you are. Then he moves to three metaphors...the soldier, the athlete and the farmer. They are the same three metaphors he used in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. They were very common in that time and place and therefore they are popular teaching techniques for the Apostle Paul. They emphasize certain things that are very important in spiritual strength.
First of all of those three metaphors and the second of the four pictures, let's look at the soldier in verses 3 and 4. This is a call to recognize that you're a soldier, you're in a spiritual war and you are called to be at the forefront of battle. Verse 3, "Suffer hardship along with us, or me," there's no pronoun in the original text, "as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of every day life so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."
Now what he is saying here, first of all, is that we have to see ourselves as soldiers. First we have seen ourselves already as teachers, that's our identity, that's who we are. We have been given truth to protect and pass on. Secondly, we are soldiers and that implies that we are in a war. That's reminded...that's a reminder to us that we mentioned earlier in Ephesians 6...6:10..."Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, take unto you the whole armor of God that you may stand against the schemes of Satan for we wrestle not against flesh and blood," but he goes on to describe the demon hosts against whom we do battle spiritual conflicts, spiritual war in Ephesians 6, and then describes our armor.
In the Corinthian letter, the Second Corinthian letter, chapter 10 verses 3 to 6, he talks about our warfare and he says the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but supernatural, as it were, to the pulling down of Satanic fortresses. We are soldiers. That is the intent that Paul has in mind for us to understand.
Not just soldiers, would you look at verse 3? We are to be good soldiers. That wonderful beautiful word kalos which means noble or excellent. We're not just dutiful soldiers, we are excellent soldiers. We're not just functionary soldiers, we are noble soldiers. If you will, we are heroic soldiers. We are the kind of soldiers who are rewarded, who bear the badges and the medals of valor and honor. You see, Christianity is not a spectator event. Christianity is not a game. Christianity is a war.
A Good Soldier is a Follower (2:3)
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Not just soldiers, would you look at verse 3? We are to be good soldiers. That wonderful beautiful word kaloswhich means noble or excellent. We're not just dutiful soldiers, we are excellent soldiers. We're not just functionary soldiers, we are noble soldiers. If you will, we are heroic soldiers. We are the kind of soldiers who are rewarded, who bear the badges and the medals of valor and honor. You see, Christianity is not a spectator event. Christianity is not a game. Christianity is a war. Look at verse 3. First thing he says is suffer hardship along with...or it could be translated perhaps best, "Endure affliction together...or take your share of suffering...or take your share of rough treatment," as J.N.D. Kelly likes to translate it. In other words, look this is war and you expect that you're going to get your share of suffering. You're going to have your wounds and your pain, it's just how it is in war. You need to understand it.
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. This is accomplished only through receiving Jesus as one's Savior, John 3:3; Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 16:31.
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!)
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.
He Is A Follower
A Good Solider is Faithful (2:3-4; 4:7b)
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
His Patience (2:3)- 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.)
His Priorities (2:4) - 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.)
His Practice (4:7b) - 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.)
He Is A Follower
He Is Faithful
HE IS FAMILIAR (Ill. There are some things that the good soldier knows. He is familiar with:
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?
John 10:3-5 (English Standard Version)
3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
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.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (English Standard Version)10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
C. With The Strategy Of The Enemy
1 Pet. 5:8 (English Standard Version)8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
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,
Hebrews 13:5 (English Standard Version)5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
He knows that regardless of the trap, God will make a way of escape for him, 1 Corinthians 10:13 (English Standard Version) 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
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 (English Standard Version)4Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
D. With The Shadows Of His Friends
(Hebrews 11:25 (English Standard Version) 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. The good soldier not only cares about his own welfare, but he also looks out for the welfare of his fellow soldiers,
Galatians 6:2 (English Standard Version) 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
He learns about them by being around them. There is a need for the soldiers of the Lord to train together.
He Is A Follower
He Is Faithful
He Is Familiar
HE IS A FIGHTER (4:7) (Paul makes 3 statements in this verse that describe the good soldier. Notice:
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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)
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!
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.
He Is A Follower
He Is Faithful
He Is Familiar
He Is A Fighter
HE IS A FINISHER (4:7-8)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
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!
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.
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?
Conclusion
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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