SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS 1

DATE: SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2016

THEME: SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS 1

Memorise:

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

1 THOU therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 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.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Message:

One of my sons once said 'For every new level there is a new devil'. This is very correct in the life of every believer. I always tell my children that if they are not relevant in the scheme of things, they cannot be a target to the devil. But, the moment you make up your mind to obey to God, to love God and to serve Him, you become a target for the enemies, both within and without. As a soldier of the Cross, you do not fight your battles with physical weapons because it is the nature of a battle that will determine your arsenal of weapons. As a good soldier of the Cross, you must be able to endure hardness in the race to heaven. You have to fight lawfully and follow those rules which  characterise a righteous person. 

There are many factors attacking the Christian Faith today. We cannot just continue to be passive; there is the need to defend the Christian Faith against modern and post-modern ideologies, so that we can all lay hold of eternal life. Any Christian who is timid and fearful cannot carry out the struggles of spiritual warfare. 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Those who were before us were able to stand strong and give a reason for the hope they had in Christ Jesus, we cannot but do  same. Timothy as an evangelist, did not waste any opportunity, he constantly stood before men and confess his faith in Christ. Jesus Christ our master stood before Pontius Pilate and defended His Son-ship and Kingship. One of the ways to be a good soldier of the cross is to appreciate the works of the cross and live our lives to reflect the sacrifices made by Jesus. This we can achieve when we begin to live a life of purity and godly behaviour. We must follow the truth that has been received in Christ. The truth that set you free and gave you liberty must be passed on to others, so that they can experience what you experienced. This is why our pastors need to go back to the ancient landmark of sound apostolic teaching. There is a need for urgency on the part of the clergy to feed their flocks with the undiluted Word of life.

Hardship will come, Satan  will launch all forms of attack against preaching of the gospel of Jesus, yet, we must not allow all these to divert our focus from our primary assignment as soldiers of the cross. Also, don't allow the affairs of this world to make you a victim in the battles of life. As a messenger of Jesus, you must do all that is within your power to please the owner of your life and be committed to the work of the Kingdom. It is my prayer that your enemies will miss whenever they target you in Jesus' name. 

Action point:

Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Ezra 1-3 and Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN 2: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED. 

O Jesus, I have promised, 

To serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me,

My Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle

If Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If Thou wilt be my Guide.

Oh, let me feel Thee near me;

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But Jesus, draw Thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will;

Oh, speak to reassure me,

To hasten, or control;

Oh speak, and make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised

To all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory

There shall Thy servant be;

And Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

Oh, give me grace to follow,

My Master and my Friend.

Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,

And in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly

Is in Thy strength alone.

Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,

Uphold me to the end;

And then to rest receive me,

My Savior and my Friend.