Soldiers Of Fortune, Part 1

By Pastor J.D. Link

agf-blanco.com

2Timothy 2:1, 3 says, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Men, we are to be strong in the Word of God, in our walk with Jesus, and as leaders in our homes and society. We are to endure hardness as a good soldier does. If you are going to be a soldier of the cross, then enduring hardness comes with the territory. It is hard work to be a righteous man in this unrighteous world. There is opportunity constantly presented to us to compromise our integrity. Pornography is at our finger tips via the internet. Drugs, alcohol, and indulgences of every kind are easily accessible. Opportunity to lie, cheat, and steal are presented daily. Persecution from family, “friends”, and co-workers can cause us to want to compromise. No one wants to be “Odd-man out”. However, good soldiers endure hardness. It takes guts and determination to be a soldier. It takes discipline and commitment to be a soldier. It takes sacrifice and strength to be a soldier. No one said it would be easy to be a soldier of the cross. In fact, Jesus said that you had better count the cost before you sign up in The Lord's Army (Lk 14:26-35). However, if you will truly dedicate your life to Jesus Christ – lock, stock, and barrel; then He will give you the strength and courage to succeed.

The title, “Soldiers Of Fortune”, is a play on words. Most of us understand that the terms soldiers of fortune, soldiers for hire, hired guns, etc. all refer to mercenaries – those men who get especially hired by governments, or sometimes individuals, to fight for their cause. They are usually highly trained professionals with unique skills that sell those skills for a lot of money. However, as soldiers of the cross, our fortune is in heaven. We fight to obtain an incorruptible crown (1Cor 9:24-25, 2Tim 4:7-8). We war a good warfare to receive an eternal reward. Therefore, in a sense, we are “Soldiers of Fortune” - fighting for the good cause of Christianity in this corrupt world, so that we may receive the heavenly fortunes from Almighty God.

The first thing I want to look at concerning being a soldier of fortune is in 2Tim 2:1. It says, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong.....”. The first command the Apostle Paul (a general in the Lord's Army) gives to young Timothy, is to be strong. Specifically, he tells him to be strong in grace of Jesus Christ. However, in general, the command is to be strong – period (Eph 6:10). This command to be strong generates from God Himself, and is often repeated in the Bible. God told Joshua in Josh 1:6, 7, & 9 to, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law.... Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

When king David was on his death bed, he told his son, Solomon, to be strong and courageous; for God would not fail him nor forsake him (1Chr 28:20). He told him to be a man, and to keep the Lord's commandments (1Ki 2:1-3). In Isaiah 35:4, it says to be strong and of good courage, because God would save you. In Dan. 10:19, the angel of the Lord told Daniel to be strong. Daniel replied, “I am now strengthened, for you have strengthened me”. In Daniel 11:32, it says that the people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. Soldiers of the cross are to be strong. We must walk in our God -given roles as leaders, protectors, providers, prophets, priests, and kings. We must not bow to selfishness, nor political correctness. We must declare truth and walk in truth.

Paul told us to be vigilant; to persevere in the faith; to act like men; and to be strong (1Cor 16:13). We don't need to be whining about how we “feel” and our “needs”. Men need to act like men. If you cry, it should be because your heart is broken with the things that break God's heart; or because God's kind of love has filled your heart, love for a child, etc. It should not be because you got in touch with your inner child, hugged a tree, or someone at work called you a name. Paul said act like men! Don't get sissified by our PC, femi-nazi culture. Let's be confident in our God given roles – both men and women. Even outside the Bible, nature itself shows the proper order of things. Why do the females have breast? To nurture the young. Why are males typically stronger? To protect and provide for the family. You may call me a cave man for saying that, but I just call it common sense.

Let's exercise our spiritual muscles in the Lord's Gym daily, and get our inward man chiseled and ripped. Let's keep our eyes on the heavenly fortune, and be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Let's fulfill our God-given roles and our destiny in Christ Jesus. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Philp 4:4)

Soldiers Of Fortune, Part 2

By Pastor J.D. Link

agf-blanco.com

2Timothy 2:1-3 says, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Last week we started to talk about being a soldier of fortune, or a soldier of Jesus Christ, whose true fortune awaits him in heaven. We focused on verse one last week, which taught us that a good soldier should be strong in the Lord. This week we will look at verse two, which says that a good soldier should be faithful and teach the faithful. Let's get into God's Word.

In Col 1:2, Paul starts his letter off by addressing two types of people: The saints, and the faithful brethren. All true believers in Christ Jesus are called saints; but not all are called faithful brethren. Faithfulness is sadly lacking in the world today – and in the church, as well. However, this is not a new problem. In Psalm 12:1, David cries, “Help Lord! For the godly man ceases, and the faithful fail from among the children of men.” King Solomon like wise said, “Most men will proclaim their own goodness; but a faithful man, who can find?” Such is our state today in the church. Many have boasts and claims, visions and ideas; but where are the faithful? Where are those that are consistent, steadfast, trustworthy – year in and year out? Where are the rock solid? Where are those that can hold a lot of weight? Where are those pillars? We find ourselves asking – as David and Solomon did.

As Christians, the number one reason we should be faithful, is because Jesus is faithful. The word faithful is used to describe Jesus many times in The Bible. Yet, while pleasing God is the first and best reason to be faithful as Jesus was, there are other benefits to being faithful, such as: 1. The Lord preserves the faithful (Ps 31:23) 2. The Lord's eyes are upon the faithful (Ps 101:6). 3. He saves the faithful (those that believe, 1Tim 4:10) 4. The faithful man abounds with blessings (Prv 28:20). You see, it is to our benefit to be faithful people.

Does faithful describe you? When your name is mentioned, does it bring up the word “faithful”? Sadly, many Christians are very unfaithful. They are unfaithful in their marriage. They are unfaithful on the job. They are unfaithful in the church. They cannot be counted on for anything. Their word means nothing. This should not be the case! Our word should be trustworthy! We should mean what we say, and say what we mean! We should be early, not always late! We should be disciplined! We should be consistent! We should be faithful to our spouse! Faithful to our company! Faithful to our church! Faithful to our God! I want to be named with the faithful! Do you want to be named with the faithful? Start being faithful.

Here are some that are called faithful in the Bible: Jesus (Rev 1:5), Moses (Heb 3:5), David (1Sam 22:14), Hanani and Hananiah (Neh 7:2), Shelemiah, Zadok, Pedaiah, Hanan (Neh 13:13), Uriah & Zechariah (Isa 8:2), Daniel (Dan 6:4), Timotheus (1Cor 4:17), Tychicus (Eph 6:21), Epaphras (Col 1:7),Onesimus (Col 4:9), Paul (1Tim 1:12), Silvanus (1Pt 5:12), and Antipas (Rev 2:13). It only took me a few minutes to type these names, but it took these people months and years of being trustworthy, faithful, consistent, and committed to be on this list.

You see, if you are ever going to be entrusted with anything of significance by God, then you must show yourself faithful. God cannot promote you if you are not faithful in the small things (Lk 16:10-12). Why? Because he cares too much for you, and for others you might effect, to entrust an unfaithful person with anything. However, if you do prove yourself faithful, great reward comes as a result (Lk 19:17). Faithfulness is not an option. It's not a side note or after thought. It is required! If you going to be a steward, you must be found faithful (1Cor 4:2)! We need to do all that we do faithfully (3Jn 5). Why? Because the faithful end up with Jesus (Rev 17:14).

When we are faithful, we then need to entrust the principles of God's Word to other faithful men – and they in turn to other faithful men. This is discipleship. But we must first be found faithful – then we can teach others. Let us dare to be different than the world. Let us be trustworthy. Let us be honest. Let us be faithful in all things. I pray we lead lives that will cause us to hear at the end of our life these words from Jesus: Well done, my good and faithful servant! Enter in to the joy of the Lord! Until next time, rejoice in the Lord!

Soldiers of Fortune Part 3

By Pastor J.D. Link

agf-blanco.com

2Timothy 2:3 says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” This week we will look at the third trait of a Christian soldier of fortune, which is enduring hardness. Our text for this series being 2Timothy 2:1-7, we have already covered the first and second traits, which are being strong and being faithful. Enduring hardness is not the most popular subject among Christians, but it is beneficial – and even necessary – to developing into a mature Christian; a true soldier of the cross. Let's get into God's Word.

The Greek word used for enduring hardness is kakopotheo, which means: undergo hardship; endure afflictions; suffer trouble. Paul said he suffered trouble as an evil doer, just for preaching the gospel (2Tim 2:9). If you preach Christ, you will suffer trouble. Paul told Timothy to be watchful and endure afflictions in 2Tim 4:5. James said that if any were afflicted, they should pray (Jam 5:13).

Jesus is our chief example of enduring afflictions. He endured the opposition of sinners, even unto the death. He endured suffering on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world. We should look to Him and think about all He has endured, when we feel like we are overwhelmed and cannot endure anymore (Heb 12:2-3). We do not want to be like the seed planted on rocky ground that Jesus described in the parable of the sower. That person has no depth. They have no roots. They are superficial Christians who cave at the slightest difficulty or problem that comes into their life. Endurance marks the true Christian. Suffering opposition and trouble without giving up marks the true soldier of Christ. Quitters are a dime a dozen. True soldiers of Christ are a rare gem in this world.

We must be willing to endure hardness. In many nations throughout this world, to declare Christ Jesus as Lord and become His disciple is a true life or death decision. Loss of life and limb, home and family, is a very real threat for our Brothers and Sisters around this world who stand for Jesus. We need to pray for them, and let their strength and commitment motivate and encourage us to stand strong in the truth of God's Word. We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel, but rather endure affliction for it's sake (2Tim 1:8).

If we are to be real sons of God, we must endure chastening (child training, Heb 12:7). We must not wear our emotions on our sleeve, and our feelings be so easily hurt. We need to toughen up. I think the Pilgrims would laugh many Christians out of town for what they get offended over. There was a time that Christianity equaled toughness, commitment, and determination. It now often seems to equal being an emotional sissy who can't even be looked at sideways without having a break down. Some Christians get offended at the drop of a hat, and drop a hat to get offended.

Did you know that Moses chose to be afflicted with the people of God, rather than enjoy the comforts and privileges of being royalty? (Heb 11:27) How many Christians compromise their faith for worldly comfort and wealth? You cannot buy a clear conscience. I'd rather endure hardness as a child of God, than live in luxury with the evil. Not that money is evil, but rather the love of it. Do you have stuff, or does stuff have you?

Who do we endure afflictions for? Paul said that he endured all things for the elect's sake (2Tim 2:10). Think about that for a moment. Think about the misery and affliction Paul endured. More than any of us, I can safely say. Yet, he was not selfish. He endured for you and me. He suffered extreme hardness for his Brothers and Sisters. What a testimony. Many of us might be willing to suffer some hard things, if it is going to personally benefit us in the end; but Paul emptied himself of himself, and for no personal gain, suffered for others. Let us follow Paul, as he follows Christ.

We also endured hardness for God's sake (1Pt 2:19). Jesus said the world hated Him, so it will hate us as well. No servant is greater than his Master. Hardness comes with the territory. The life of a soldier is not a life of ease. It is a life of sacrifice and hardship.

However, it's not all bad. There are benefits to enduring hardness for Jesus, such as : 1. Deliverance (2Tim 3:11). God will deliver you! We win no matter what. 2. Happiness (Jam 5:11). You know how Job lost it all? Well, he got double everything back in the end, because he endured. 3. Eternal Salvation (Mk 13:13). Endurance through hardness in this life, reaps an eternal reward. 4. Blessedness and a crown of life (Jam 1:12). 5. Obtaining of the Promise (Heb 6:15). We must endure to obtain. It doesn't matter what your relationship with God was last week, last year, etc. What is your relationship today? Do you daily take up your cross, and follow Jesus? That's endurance. I pray this has blessed and challenged you, and until next time, rejoice in the Lord!