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II Timothy 2:1-4
Intro: Paul writes to Timothy commanding him to be strong in the grace of God
and stand firm in the doctrine he had been taught by Paul. Furthermore, he was to teach others these truths that those who
were then taught could themselves also teach others. He likens the Christian walk, in verse three, to being a soldier, and
in verse four he reminds him of the importance of avoiding the carnal or worldly things that hinder the soldier of God in
his Spiritual Warfare. If you will please the recruiter who chose you for the army of God, you will have to devote yourself
fully and constantly to the warfare. I am interested particularly in the phrase in verse three, however, "a good
soldier of Jesus Christ." I want to preach on A Good Soldier. What does a good soldier do?
I. Watches
for the Enemy: A good soldier is very perceptive. He is on his guard. The Bible says:2 Cor 2:11 "Lest Satan
should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
2 Cor 11:3 "But I fear, lest
by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that
is in Christ."
Eph 4:27 "Neither give place to the devil".
2 Tim 4:5 "But
watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
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Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour."
II. Listens for the Enemy: Sometimes the enemy is not given away by sight,
but rather by sound. Not only was the Serpent the most beautiful beast in the garden, he was subtle in his speech. Satan will
subtly try to convince you of his lies! I Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their conscience seared with a hot iron." Be careful about the things you listen to. It does effect you! II Samuel
5:24, David had to wait about going to war until he heard the moving about in the mulberry trees. We need to hear the right
sound and go to war. We are hearing sounds of all types today- Sin, Satan, Self- War, Politics, and Religion. We have listened
to the voice of Religion, the voice of Reason, the voice of Reality, and God wants us to listen to the voice of the Holy Ghost
and go to war against the enemy. Listen for the enemy and know the difference in his sound and the sound of God.
III.
Commanding Officer is Always In Mind: In Ephesians 6 Paul tells of the believers’ warfare and the armor of
God, but he reminded us that the battle is not just about fighting. Ephesians 6:18, "Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Always
keep in mind that he is the "Captain of Our Salvation." Heb 2:10.
IV. Loyal To His Cause:
A good soldier does not fight because for Mom and Dad’s approval or to satisfy another, but he has a loyalty to his
cause.
V. Leaving Is On His Mind: He is in a battle, and maybe he is in a foreign land. Not one day
passes by that the foot soldier does not think about how good it would be for the battle to be won and for his unit to head
home!
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