Where can you find hope for the hopeless? 00:00:03.10\00:00:07.84 Opportunity for transformation? 00:00:07.87\00:00:11.57 Peace amid life's storms? 00:00:11.61\00:00:15.51 Only in God's free gift of eternal life. 00:00:15.54\00:00:20.48 From New York, join us on the Pathway of Hope. 00:00:20.52\00:00:24.72 Everywhere in the world, 00:00:30.46\00:00:32.39 there seems to be this human cry. 00:00:32.43\00:00:35.30 We want to be free. 00:00:35.33\00:00:37.53 Freedom is like an antacid to the human spirit. 00:00:37.57\00:00:41.84 And that's why soldiers will endure hardship 00:00:41.87\00:00:45.27 for the freedom of their country. 00:00:45.31\00:00:47.64 Parents will endure hardship 00:00:47.68\00:00:50.05 for the freedom of their children. 00:00:50.08\00:00:52.55 One generation will endure hardship 00:00:52.58\00:00:55.28 for the freedom of the next. 00:00:55.32\00:00:57.22 And Christians will endure hardship 00:00:57.25\00:01:00.52 for the freedom of the gospel. 00:01:00.56\00:01:02.86 And yes, Jesus Christ Himself endured hardship 00:01:02.89\00:01:08.23 for the freedom of mankind. 00:01:08.26\00:01:11.63 The Apostle Paul admonished us that we should endure hardship, 00:01:11.67\00:01:16.91 like a good soldier of Christ. 00:01:16.94\00:01:20.31 To be a soldier for Christ requires commitment, 00:01:20.34\00:01:24.81 endurance, and sacrifice. 00:01:24.85\00:01:27.88 Oftentimes, we hear of soldiers abandoning their posts, 00:01:27.92\00:01:33.09 refusing to answer the call of duty, 00:01:33.12\00:01:36.93 or abusing their authority. 00:01:36.96\00:01:41.26 Soldiers of Christ, on the other hand, 00:01:41.30\00:01:44.67 must respond to the call of duty 00:01:44.70\00:01:47.94 and be faithful at all times. 00:01:47.97\00:01:51.54 I invite you now to relax 00:01:51.57\00:01:54.08 and listen to Dr. Abraham Jules, 00:01:54.11\00:01:57.38 an anointed preacher 00:01:57.41\00:01:59.51 and the faithful soldier for Christ. 00:01:59.55\00:02:02.95 He promised us 00:02:13.53\00:02:16.06 That He would be out counselor 00:02:16.10\00:02:22.07 A Mighty God 00:02:22.10\00:02:24.54 And the Prince of Peace 00:02:24.57\00:02:29.78 He promised us 00:02:29.81\00:02:31.95 That He would be a Father 00:02:31.98\00:02:36.75 And He would love us 00:02:36.79\00:02:39.75 With a love that would not cease 00:02:39.79\00:02:46.70 Well, I tried Him 00:02:46.73\00:02:49.96 And I found His promises are true 00:02:50.00\00:02:54.84 He's everything 00:02:54.87\00:02:57.77 He said He would be 00:02:57.81\00:03:03.04 The finest words I know cannot begin to tell 00:03:03.08\00:03:10.19 Just what Jesus 00:03:10.22\00:03:13.05 really means to me 00:03:13.09\00:03:19.59 For He's 00:03:19.63\00:03:22.56 More wonderful 00:03:22.60\00:03:27.80 Than my mind can conceive 00:03:27.84\00:03:31.64 He's more wonderful 00:03:31.67\00:03:35.28 Than my heart can believe 00:03:35.31\00:03:39.08 He goes beyond my highest hopes 00:03:39.11\00:03:45.15 and fondest dreams 00:03:45.19\00:03:53.09 He's everything 00:03:53.13\00:03:57.80 That my soul ever longed for 00:03:57.83\00:04:02.44 Everything He's promised 00:04:02.47\00:04:05.74 And so much more More than amazing, 00:04:05.77\00:04:12.75 More than marvelous More than miraculous 00:04:12.78\00:04:20.19 Could ever be 00:04:20.22\00:04:22.92 He's more than wonderful, 00:04:22.96\00:04:27.66 That's what Jesus 00:04:27.70\00:04:30.70 Is to me 00:04:30.73\00:04:37.27 I stand amazed 00:04:47.85\00:04:50.79 when I think the King of glory 00:04:50.82\00:04:55.32 Would come to live 00:04:55.36\00:04:58.33 Within the heart of man 00:04:58.36\00:05:03.33 I marvel just to know 00:05:03.37\00:05:06.90 He really loves me 00:05:06.94\00:05:10.94 When I think of who He is, 00:05:10.97\00:05:14.88 And who I am. 00:05:14.91\00:05:19.08 For He's more 00:05:19.11\00:05:25.22 Wonderful than my mind 00:05:25.25\00:05:30.66 Can conceive He's more wonderful 00:05:30.69\00:05:35.86 Than my heart can believe 00:05:35.90\00:05:39.63 He goes beyond my highest hopes 00:05:39.67\00:05:45.71 and fondest dreams 00:05:45.74\00:05:53.62 He's everything 00:05:53.65\00:05:58.32 That my soul ever longed for Everything 00:05:58.35\00:06:04.16 He's promised and so much more 00:06:04.19\00:06:09.40 More than amazing, 00:06:09.43\00:06:13.17 More than marvelous 00:06:13.20\00:06:16.84 More than miraculous 00:06:16.87\00:06:20.51 Could ever be 00:06:20.54\00:06:23.18 He's more than wonderful, 00:06:23.21\00:06:27.85 That's what Jesus is to me 00:06:27.88\00:06:34.62 He's Everything 00:06:34.66\00:06:42.46 That my soul ever longed for Everything 00:06:42.50\00:06:48.40 He's promised and so much more 00:06:48.44\00:06:53.44 More than amazing, 00:06:53.48\00:06:57.41 More than marvelous 00:06:57.45\00:07:00.82 More than miraculous 00:07:00.85\00:07:04.45 Could ever be 00:07:04.49\00:07:07.02 He's more than wonderful, 00:07:07.06\00:07:11.69 More than wonderful, 00:07:11.73\00:07:15.33 That's what Jesus 00:07:15.36\00:07:19.93 Is 00:07:19.97\00:07:23.20 To me 00:07:23.24\00:07:29.04 Wonderful 00:07:29.08\00:07:35.48 To Me 00:07:35.52\00:07:41.92 Let us pray. 00:07:50.57\00:07:51.90 Father, You have called us out of darkness into this, 00:07:53.80\00:07:56.91 Your marvelous light. 00:07:56.94\00:07:59.21 You've called us to victory 00:07:59.24\00:08:01.51 but You've also called us to hardships. 00:08:01.54\00:08:04.88 We pray tonight as we study this word 00:08:04.91\00:08:06.65 that we'll be reminded of Your call 00:08:06.68\00:08:09.52 upon our lives and Your willingness 00:08:09.55\00:08:13.05 and ability to stand by us, 00:08:13.09\00:08:15.92 in those tough times and in tough places. 00:08:15.96\00:08:19.83 We are assured tonight that Your love is everlasting. 00:08:19.86\00:08:23.80 Your Grace is unbounded. 00:08:23.83\00:08:26.33 And Your promises are true. 00:08:26.37\00:08:29.50 Thank You for being with us and made this word. 00:08:29.54\00:08:33.07 Bring courage to the hearts of the listeners we pray. 00:08:33.11\00:08:36.85 In the name of Jesus we ask it, 00:08:36.88\00:08:39.35 Amen. 00:08:39.38\00:08:42.12 There's a word for us tonight in the book of 2 Timothy, 00:08:42.15\00:08:45.75 in the New Testament, 2:3 and 4. 00:08:45.79\00:08:51.99 2 Timothy 00:08:52.03\00:08:54.53 2:3 and 4. 00:08:54.56\00:08:59.20 The Bible says, 00:08:59.23\00:09:00.57 "Thou therefore endure hardship 00:09:00.60\00:09:04.41 as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:09:04.44\00:09:08.51 No man that warreth entangleth himself 00:09:08.54\00:09:12.28 with the affairs of this life, 00:09:12.31\00:09:15.02 that he may please him 00:09:15.05\00:09:17.39 who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 00:09:17.42\00:09:21.99 Tonight's message will take us on a path 00:09:22.02\00:09:25.63 and along a journey 00:09:25.66\00:09:28.56 that will highlight for us that when God calls us, 00:09:28.60\00:09:32.17 sometimes we are called to do some difficult things. 00:09:32.20\00:09:36.87 Sometimes we are called to endure hardship. 00:09:36.91\00:09:40.54 But at all times, 00:09:40.58\00:09:42.48 we will be assured that God is with us. 00:09:42.51\00:09:44.98 Amen. 00:09:45.01\00:09:47.02 Now Timothy enters the biblical picture 00:09:47.05\00:09:51.19 in the book of Acts Chapter 16. 00:09:51.22\00:09:54.32 His mother is a Jew 00:09:54.36\00:09:55.82 and his father is a Gentile Greek. 00:09:55.86\00:09:59.59 He's called a believer. 00:09:59.63\00:10:02.43 And a deep and lasting friendship 00:10:02.46\00:10:05.30 grew between the Apostle Paul 00:10:05.33\00:10:08.90 and his understudy Timothy. 00:10:08.94\00:10:12.41 Paul must have had confidence in him because Timothy, 00:10:12.44\00:10:17.08 we are told, accompanied him on 00:10:17.11\00:10:20.42 many of his missionary journeys as they planted churches 00:10:20.45\00:10:23.99 in several cities and provinces of the Roman Empire. 00:10:24.02\00:10:30.03 Timothy probably helped Paul start the churches in Corinth, 00:10:30.06\00:10:34.63 Philippine, Colossi and Thessalonica. 00:10:34.66\00:10:39.27 Now, this is an interesting combination. 00:10:39.30\00:10:42.14 The ancient Apostle and seasoned evangelist 00:10:42.17\00:10:46.34 with this young trainee, this young intern, 00:10:46.37\00:10:49.68 this upstart in ministry, this hardened prosecutor, 00:10:49.71\00:10:54.72 turned church planter with a young and side pastor. 00:10:54.75\00:11:00.56 It always thrills my heart to see 00:11:00.59\00:11:03.02 young and old work together. 00:11:03.06\00:11:05.73 Always thrills my heart to see young people 00:11:05.76\00:11:08.56 who love to be around older flock. 00:11:08.60\00:11:11.40 You never know the value of sitting 00:11:11.43\00:11:13.27 at the feet of someone 00:11:13.30\00:11:14.87 who's been through some years of hardship and toil, 00:11:14.90\00:11:18.07 who's lived for little while. 00:11:18.11\00:11:20.01 So it thrills my heart here. 00:11:20.04\00:11:21.98 Paul and Timothy, old and young. 00:11:22.01\00:11:26.58 Generations come together. 00:11:26.61\00:11:29.88 Paul must have really felt deep affection for Timothy 00:11:29.92\00:11:34.09 for we find him longing for Timothy's presence, 00:11:34.12\00:11:37.96 and his companionship. 00:11:37.99\00:11:40.20 In 2 Timothy, 00:11:40.23\00:11:42.16 this was Paul's last letter. 00:11:42.20\00:11:44.53 He urged a young pastor, Timothy, 00:11:44.57\00:11:46.63 to come and spend some time with him. 00:11:46.67\00:11:50.27 And by this time, Paul is imprisoned in Rome. 00:11:50.31\00:11:53.78 And Timothy is the pastor of the church in Ephesus. 00:11:53.81\00:11:58.75 Knowing that Nero's nod could send him to his death, 00:11:58.78\00:12:02.58 Paul longs to see Timothy. 00:12:02.62\00:12:06.05 And at best it would take several months 00:12:06.09\00:12:08.02 for Timothy to reach him 00:12:08.06\00:12:10.16 and fearing that his demise is close at hand, 00:12:10.19\00:12:14.26 Paul, we are told pens his last epistle. 00:12:14.30\00:12:18.30 In Chapter 1, he says, 00:12:18.33\00:12:19.93 he prays constantly for Timothy 00:12:19.97\00:12:22.57 and reminds him of his heritage of faith. 00:12:22.60\00:12:26.41 It was that same faith 00:12:26.44\00:12:28.31 that lived within his grandmother, Lois. 00:12:28.34\00:12:31.85 It was that same faith 00:12:31.88\00:12:33.82 that burned in the breast of his mother, 00:12:33.85\00:12:36.05 Eunice 00:12:36.08\00:12:37.72 and is now that same faith that ignites Timothy's life. 00:12:37.75\00:12:44.09 And Paul counsels him 00:12:44.13\00:12:46.09 not to be timid because God has given us 00:12:46.13\00:12:48.60 a spirit of power and love and a strong mind. 00:12:48.63\00:12:53.23 So in Chapter 2, Verses 3 and 4, 00:12:53.27\00:12:56.37 he uses three images or metaphors. 00:12:56.40\00:13:01.01 He uses these metaphors to depict 00:13:01.04\00:13:03.61 what the Christian journey is all about. 00:13:03.65\00:13:07.05 And he uses the metaphor of the soldier, 00:13:07.08\00:13:09.98 the metaphor of the athlete and the metaphor of the farmer. 00:13:10.02\00:13:14.59 Now tonight, we will concern ourselves with only 00:13:14.62\00:13:17.39 the first, the metaphor of the soldier. 00:13:17.43\00:13:20.86 You see, soldiers were common 00:13:20.90\00:13:22.66 in the first century Roman world 00:13:22.70\00:13:24.23 where Paul had lived. 00:13:24.27\00:13:26.43 And so it would not be unusual for him to use this metaphor. 00:13:26.47\00:13:30.24 So matter of fact, in Philippians 2:25, 00:13:30.27\00:13:34.01 he called Epaphroditus his fellow soldier. 00:13:34.04\00:13:38.08 And Philemon 2, 00:13:38.11\00:13:39.48 he calls Archippus the same thing, 00:13:39.51\00:13:42.12 his fellow soldier. 00:13:42.15\00:13:43.99 And so we find him returning to this theme 00:13:44.02\00:13:46.89 in 2 Timothy 2:3 and 4. 00:13:46.92\00:13:49.99 It reads "Endure hardship with us, 00:13:50.03\00:13:54.36 like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 00:13:54.40\00:13:58.07 No one serving as a soldier 00:13:58.10\00:14:00.54 gets entangled in civilian affairs, 00:14:00.57\00:14:04.87 so that he may please his commanding officer. 00:14:04.91\00:14:08.91 Paul calls Timothy to be a soldier, 00:14:08.94\00:14:12.48 and not just any soldier, 00:14:12.51\00:14:14.95 but a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:14:14.98\00:14:17.49 In 2 Timothy 1:35, this was Paul now in prison. 00:14:17.52\00:14:20.62 He's reflecting on his life and he says, 00:14:20.66\00:14:22.56 "You know that everyone 00:14:22.59\00:14:24.26 in the province of Asia has deserted me, 00:14:24.29\00:14:27.83 including Phygelus and Hermogenes." 00:14:27.86\00:14:32.47 Again in 2 Timothy 4:10 and 14-16, "...for Demas, 00:14:32.50\00:14:38.71 because he loved this world, 00:14:38.74\00:14:40.48 he deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica." 00:14:40.51\00:14:44.71 Listen to this, he continues by saying, 00:14:44.75\00:14:47.38 "Alexander the metalworker did me a great disservice, 00:14:47.42\00:14:53.25 and he did me harm." 00:14:53.29\00:14:55.16 At my first offense, he says also, 00:14:55.19\00:14:57.49 "No one came to my support, but everyone deserted me." 00:14:57.53\00:15:01.40 Here is Paul, a soldier 00:15:01.43\00:15:03.70 and he's kind of feeling sorry for himself 00:15:03.73\00:15:06.43 because he was deserted by everybody! 00:15:06.47\00:15:09.84 He learned to enjoy some hardships. 00:15:09.87\00:15:14.48 Let it be known today, friends of mine, 00:15:14.51\00:15:16.14 this Christian journey, 00:15:16.18\00:15:17.51 sometimes you cry all by yourself. 00:15:17.55\00:15:19.98 Amen. Yes. 00:15:20.02\00:15:21.92 Folk may visit you in the hospital 00:15:21.95\00:15:23.72 the first week you in there, 00:15:23.75\00:15:25.25 but after a couple of weeks you're there alone. 00:15:25.29\00:15:29.12 We cry alone. 00:15:29.16\00:15:30.66 We feel the pain alone sometimes, 00:15:30.69\00:15:32.93 because as a good soldier 00:15:32.96\00:15:34.43 you must learn to endure some hardships. 00:15:34.46\00:15:39.27 James 1:12 says, 00:15:39.30\00:15:41.24 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under the trial 00:15:41.27\00:15:44.97 because when he has stood the test, 00:15:45.01\00:15:47.14 he will receive the crown of life 00:15:47.18\00:15:48.88 that God promised to those who love Him." 00:15:48.91\00:15:53.21 Revelation 3:11 says, "I am coming soon. 00:15:53.25\00:15:56.82 Hold on to what you have, 00:15:56.85\00:15:58.82 so that no one will take your crown." 00:15:58.85\00:16:01.59 The first quality of a good soldier 00:16:01.62\00:16:04.16 is that he is steadfast. 00:16:04.19\00:16:07.10 But the Apostle hastens on to indicate 00:16:07.13\00:16:09.60 that a good soldier is also single minded. 00:16:09.63\00:16:14.30 He says, "No one serving 00:16:14.34\00:16:16.74 as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs." 00:16:16.77\00:16:21.11 A better translation says it this way, 00:16:21.14\00:16:23.31 "No one engaged in warfare, 00:16:23.35\00:16:25.61 and tangles himself in the affairs of this life." 00:16:25.65\00:16:29.02 The emphasis is not on being a soldier in quiet times. 00:16:29.05\00:16:33.56 The emphasis is on warfare. 00:16:33.59\00:16:36.26 It's on soldiering in battle. 00:16:36.29\00:16:39.76 All of us could be great soldiers 00:16:39.79\00:16:41.33 if we just stayed home and there was no war. 00:16:41.36\00:16:44.53 Are you at war? 00:16:44.57\00:16:46.03 We wrestle not against flesh and blood, 00:16:46.07\00:16:48.54 but against principalities, against prowess, 00:16:48.57\00:16:50.81 against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 00:16:50.84\00:16:52.87 against spiritual wickedness in high places. 00:16:52.91\00:16:55.48 Ephesians 6:12. 00:16:55.51\00:16:57.05 "If you don't hear the grenades of war exploding around you, 00:16:57.08\00:17:00.38 at least every now and then maybe you need to check 00:17:00.42\00:17:03.82 your declaration of whose side you are on." 00:17:03.85\00:17:06.86 Because if you are on Jesus' side, 00:17:06.89\00:17:09.02 scripture says, 00:17:09.06\00:17:10.39 "All who will live godly must suffer persecution." 00:17:10.43\00:17:14.76 Amen. 00:17:14.80\00:17:17.00 In Paul's Roman world, 00:17:17.03\00:17:19.57 soldiers could not have the attentions diverted. 00:17:19.60\00:17:23.44 There were to be no diversions. 00:17:23.47\00:17:25.11 In order to protect the border of the Roman Empire, 00:17:25.14\00:17:27.91 especially in far flung areas, 00:17:27.94\00:17:30.88 the Roman army was dispatched far and near. 00:17:30.91\00:17:34.12 Garrisons were established all over the Roman world. 00:17:34.15\00:17:37.65 Troops were always on the move, 00:17:37.69\00:17:39.55 it was essential that they move rapidly 00:17:39.59\00:17:42.32 and this was facilitated by the vast network of rows. 00:17:42.36\00:17:46.70 Daily discipline was the order of the day. 00:17:46.73\00:17:49.26 They were no diversions, the soldier was single minded. 00:17:49.30\00:17:54.87 Further, in the midst of the battle, 00:17:54.90\00:17:56.24 the soldier had to be single minded, 00:17:56.27\00:17:58.04 because he knew that if he were not, 00:17:58.07\00:18:00.18 it could mean his death. 00:18:00.21\00:18:02.11 All that's on his heart is the battle. 00:18:02.14\00:18:04.98 In the Roman world 00:18:05.01\00:18:07.32 that Paul was really operating in, 00:18:07.35\00:18:10.82 a soldier was a soldier, and he was nothing else. 00:18:10.85\00:18:17.13 Roman code of Theodosius said, 00:18:17.16\00:18:20.56 "We forbid men engage in military service 00:18:20.60\00:18:23.77 to engage in civilian occupations. 00:18:23.80\00:18:26.60 There must be no hindrance, diversion, or distraction." 00:18:26.63\00:18:30.27 Indeed, the text literally reads 00:18:30.31\00:18:32.27 that we must not be entangled. 00:18:32.31\00:18:34.71 The Greek is empleketai. 00:18:34.74\00:18:37.41 This same word 00:18:37.45\00:18:38.78 is used elsewhere in the New Testament, 00:18:38.81\00:18:40.58 only in 2 Peter 2:20, 00:18:40.62\00:18:42.55 to speak about not getting mixed up 00:18:42.58\00:18:44.45 in the corruptions of the world. 00:18:44.49\00:18:46.59 Elsewhere, Paul admonishes, 00:18:46.62\00:18:48.49 "Do not be conformed to this world, 00:18:48.52\00:18:50.56 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 00:18:50.59\00:18:53.46 Romans 12:1 and 2, 00:18:53.50\00:18:55.66 "So the soldier 00:18:55.70\00:18:57.03 is not to be caught up in their fears of civilian life 00:18:57.07\00:19:00.04 and conform to the world's standards." 00:19:00.07\00:19:02.94 He's a soldier, not a politician. 00:19:02.97\00:19:05.67 He's a soldier, not a debater. 00:19:05.71\00:19:07.94 He's a soldier, not an entertainer. 00:19:07.98\00:19:11.38 Scripture tells us, 00:19:11.41\00:19:13.72 it tells us a whole lot about 00:19:13.75\00:19:15.08 the need to be of single purpose. 00:19:15.12\00:19:18.52 It is said of Jesus in Luke 9:51, 00:19:18.55\00:19:21.52 "As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, 00:19:21.56\00:19:24.69 Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." 00:19:24.73\00:19:30.03 We do well to follow our Lord's example, 00:19:30.07\00:19:34.27 Luke 16:13, 00:19:34.30\00:19:36.10 "No servant can serve two masters. 00:19:36.14\00:19:38.94 Either he will hate the one and love the other, 00:19:38.97\00:19:43.21 or he will be devoted to the one 00:19:43.24\00:19:45.81 and despise the other." 00:19:45.85\00:19:47.52 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:19:47.55\00:19:51.32 James 1:8 says, 00:19:51.35\00:19:52.99 "A double minded man is unstable. 00:19:53.02\00:19:57.09 In all he does." 00:19:57.13\00:19:58.86 And Luke 9:16, Jesus replied, 00:19:58.89\00:20:01.16 "No one who puts his hand to the plow 00:20:01.20\00:20:03.77 and looks back is fit for service 00:20:03.80\00:20:06.07 in the kingdom of God." 00:20:06.10\00:20:08.24 Why should a Christian be single minded? 00:20:08.27\00:20:11.51 There is a purpose clause in the text. 00:20:11.54\00:20:14.71 We may read it as follows. 00:20:14.74\00:20:16.18 No one on active service 00:20:16.21\00:20:19.51 gets entangled in civilian affairs, 00:20:19.55\00:20:22.35 in order that he may please his commanding officer. 00:20:22.38\00:20:26.25 There's one reason why we should be single minded, 00:20:26.29\00:20:29.06 so that we may please our commanding officer. 00:20:29.09\00:20:33.50 This tells us 00:20:33.53\00:20:35.40 that the final quality of a good soldier is service. 00:20:35.43\00:20:40.40 Service is described in that the soldier sets out 00:20:40.44\00:20:44.84 to bring joy and happiness 00:20:44.87\00:20:47.84 and pleasure to his commanding officer. 00:20:47.88\00:20:51.18 Actually, the word really points to the one 00:20:51.21\00:20:54.35 who recruits the soldier. 00:20:54.38\00:20:56.35 Now think of Roman military practice, 00:20:56.38\00:20:58.19 not Modern American Military practice. 00:20:58.22\00:21:02.12 In order, really in our modern context, 00:21:02.16\00:21:06.39 the commander in chief 00:21:06.43\00:21:07.76 is the elected President of the country. 00:21:07.80\00:21:10.33 He doesn't have to be a warrior. 00:21:10.37\00:21:12.23 Obama never served in any part of the military, 00:21:12.27\00:21:15.14 George Bush didn't. 00:21:15.17\00:21:16.60 No experience necessary. 00:21:16.64\00:21:18.31 No combat necessary. 00:21:18.34\00:21:20.11 No blood, sweat, and tears. 00:21:20.14\00:21:23.41 How does a good soldier please his commanding officer? 00:21:23.45\00:21:28.58 Well, he does a few things. 00:21:28.62\00:21:29.95 First, he gives unquestioning obedience. 00:21:29.98\00:21:34.62 Roman soldiers were trained to obey without question. 00:21:34.66\00:21:39.03 The commander said it and it was obeyed. 00:21:39.06\00:21:42.40 Don't have to know the reason 00:21:42.43\00:21:43.77 why soldiers of Christ obey His voice, 00:21:43.80\00:21:49.57 even when we don't understand 00:21:49.60\00:21:53.04 what God is saying and why He's saying it. 00:21:53.07\00:21:57.78 The soldiers of Christ give wholehearted service. 00:21:57.81\00:22:02.68 Love the Lord, thy God with all thine heart. 00:22:02.72\00:22:06.45 With all your soul, 00:22:06.49\00:22:07.82 all your mind and all your might. 00:22:07.86\00:22:10.43 T. Marshall Kelly, 00:22:10.46\00:22:12.36 when I was a student at Oakwood College 00:22:12.39\00:22:13.80 used to sing a song that goes something like this. 00:22:13.83\00:22:16.93 It says, takes your head, 00:22:16.97\00:22:19.40 takes your heart to serve the Lord. 00:22:19.43\00:22:22.20 It takes full surrender to serve the Lord. 00:22:22.24\00:22:24.77 It takes your, it time 00:22:24.81\00:22:26.34 takes your means and your prayers. 00:22:26.37\00:22:28.88 It takes everything to serve the Lord. 00:22:28.91\00:22:32.41 A good soldier, 00:22:32.45\00:22:34.48 in order to please his master knows the value of loyalty. 00:22:34.52\00:22:40.09 When a Roman soldier joined the army, 00:22:40.12\00:22:41.82 he took the sacramentum, 00:22:41.86\00:22:44.09 the oath of loyalty to the Emperor. 00:22:44.13\00:22:46.76 A soldier was loyal to death. 00:22:46.80\00:22:50.00 In Rome, a soldier would die in the Emperor's name. 00:22:50.03\00:22:54.70 Christians must be loyal 00:22:54.74\00:22:56.84 to Christ through all of the twists 00:22:56.87\00:22:59.41 and turns of life, 00:22:59.44\00:23:01.44 even to the point of death, 00:23:01.48\00:23:03.55 we must be loyal to His orders. 00:23:03.58\00:23:07.05 It's not merely that I don't drink 00:23:07.08\00:23:08.75 a little wine, I can't. 00:23:08.78\00:23:11.19 I'm under orders, because "Wine is a mocker, 00:23:11.22\00:23:14.52 strong drink is raging. 00:23:14.56\00:23:16.69 And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." 00:23:16.73\00:23:19.49 It's not merely that I don't eat any and everything, 00:23:19.53\00:23:22.13 I can't. 00:23:22.16\00:23:23.50 I'm under orders. 00:23:23.53\00:23:24.97 "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, 00:23:25.00\00:23:27.44 do all to the glory and honor of God." 00:23:27.47\00:23:30.24 It's not merely that I don't engross myself 00:23:30.27\00:23:32.71 in pornography, I can't. 00:23:32.74\00:23:34.64 I'm under orders. 00:23:34.68\00:23:36.11 "I've made a covenant with mine eyes, 00:23:36.14\00:23:38.51 that I will not look lustfully at a woman." 00:23:38.55\00:23:40.72 Job's 31, Job 31:1. 00:23:40.75\00:23:44.09 It's not merely that I can't watch 00:23:44.12\00:23:45.82 any kind of movie. 00:23:45.85\00:23:47.26 I really won't. 00:23:47.29\00:23:48.66 I'm under orders. 00:23:48.69\00:23:50.13 "Let no evil thing pass before thine eyes." 00:23:50.16\00:23:53.70 It's not merely that I don't sow my proverbial wild oats, 00:23:53.73\00:23:57.03 I can't. 00:23:57.07\00:23:58.40 I'm under orders. 00:23:58.43\00:23:59.77 "Flee youthful lust." 00:23:59.80\00:24:02.00 It's not merely 00:24:02.04\00:24:03.37 that I don't work on the Sabbath, I can't. 00:24:03.41\00:24:05.57 I'm under orders, orders. 00:24:05.61\00:24:07.38 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." 00:24:07.41\00:24:11.01 It's not merely that I don't do drugs, I can't. 00:24:11.05\00:24:14.32 I'm under orders. 00:24:14.35\00:24:15.82 "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost." 00:24:15.85\00:24:19.35 It's not merely that I don't sleep around, I can't. 00:24:19.39\00:24:22.42 I'm under orders. 00:24:22.46\00:24:23.93 "Be therefore holy, for I, the Lord, am holy." 00:24:23.96\00:24:27.40 So soldiers of Christ, the battle is on! 00:24:27.43\00:24:30.33 Are you a soldier? 00:24:30.37\00:24:32.00 Then be a good soldier, then be steadfast, 00:24:32.03\00:24:35.94 be single minded, be committed to service. 00:24:35.97\00:24:39.14 My brothers and sisters, 00:24:39.17\00:24:40.58 do you want to be a good soldier? 00:24:40.61\00:24:42.21 There's a rich reward for good soldiers. 00:24:42.24\00:24:46.18 I want you to note something of importance. 00:24:46.21\00:24:49.05 2 Timothy 4:7 says, "I have fought the good fight. 00:24:49.08\00:24:53.76 I have finished a race and I've kept the faith." 00:24:53.79\00:24:56.86 The only other place 00:24:56.89\00:24:58.23 where we have this combination in the entire Bible 00:24:58.26\00:25:00.90 is in 2 Timothy 2:4 and 5, 00:25:00.93\00:25:03.90 where Paul deals with battle and athletics. 00:25:03.93\00:25:06.53 There's a link in Paul's mind. 00:25:06.57\00:25:07.97 You see, the call to courage in Chapter 2 00:25:08.00\00:25:10.37 is reflected in Chapter 4 and Verse 7. 00:25:10.41\00:25:12.74 But the exciting thing is that a reward is enunciated. 00:25:12.77\00:25:15.88 Let us read 2 Timothy 4:8, it says, 00:25:15.91\00:25:18.45 "Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness, 00:25:18.48\00:25:23.12 which the Lord, the righteous judge, 00:25:23.15\00:25:25.72 will award to me on that day, and not only to me, 00:25:25.75\00:25:29.26 but also to all who long for His appearing." 00:25:29.29\00:25:32.86 So I'm committing myself to this battle. 00:25:32.89\00:25:35.30 I want to be steadfast and single minded 00:25:35.33\00:25:37.97 and committed to service. 00:25:38.00\00:25:39.37 Scripture says that all the promises of God 00:25:39.40\00:25:42.70 are only yes in Christ. 00:25:42.74\00:25:44.87 Amen. 00:25:44.91\00:25:46.24 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that so I want to be obedient, 00:25:46.27\00:25:50.51 and I want to say like a good soldier, 00:25:50.55\00:25:52.85 when God gives me an order, I want to say, "Yes, sir." 00:25:52.88\00:25:57.35 When he says, "Go ye therefore, 00:25:57.39\00:25:58.72 and preach this gospel 00:25:58.75\00:26:00.12 as a witness into all the world," 00:26:00.16\00:26:01.76 I say, "Yes sir!" 00:26:01.79\00:26:03.19 Yes, sir. 00:26:03.22\00:26:04.59 When he says, "Be holy," I say, "Yes, sir!" 00:26:04.63\00:26:08.66 "Preach the word in season and out of season." 00:26:08.70\00:26:11.63 "Yes, sir." 00:26:11.67\00:26:13.47 He says, "Be steadfast." 00:26:13.50\00:26:15.60 I say, "Yes, sir." 00:26:15.64\00:26:17.54 One day our Lord promises He'll come. 00:26:17.57\00:26:20.74 And He'll give to us a crown of life. 00:26:20.78\00:26:23.35 And we'll live in a land where we'll never die again. 00:26:23.38\00:26:26.35 We'll live with Him where there'll be peace 00:26:26.38\00:26:27.95 and everlasting joy. 00:26:27.98\00:26:29.32 Amen. 00:26:29.35\00:26:30.69 Endure hardship 00:26:30.72\00:26:33.39 like a good soldier of the cross. 00:26:33.42\00:26:36.62 Amen. 00:26:36.66\00:26:38.23 Thank you, Lord, for this word tonight. 00:26:38.26\00:26:41.83 Give us strength before we face the test, 00:26:41.86\00:26:45.40 so that we can withstand all of our testing. 00:26:45.43\00:26:48.80 In the name of Jesus we pray with joy abundant 00:26:48.84\00:26:51.17 and thanksgiving. 00:26:51.21\00:26:52.97 Amen. Amen. 00:26:53.01\00:26:55.74 Thanks for watching Pathway of Hope. 00:26:55.78\00:26:58.85 If you would like to be prayed for 00:26:58.88\00:27:01.18 or would like to learn more about God's word, 00:27:01.22\00:27:04.29 please call 1 (877) 520-HOPE 00:27:04.32\00:27:10.66 or 1 (877) 520 (4673). 00:27:10.69\00:27:17.80 You may also watch more of our programs online 00:27:17.83\00:27:21.04 at www.pathwayofhope.tv. 00:27:21.07\00:27:27.94 If you would like to make a tax deductible love gift, 00:27:27.98\00:27:31.75 please send your gifts to Pathway of Hope 00:27:31.78\00:27:35.22 at P.O. Box 280704, Queens Village, 00:27:35.25\00:27:41.79 New York 11428. 00:27:41.82\00:27:45.89 Thanks for watching Pathway of Hope 00:27:45.93\00:27:47.93 and may God's blessings be yours today. 00:27:47.96\00:27:50.53