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SOLDIERS, PREPARE FOR BATTLE

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In I John 5:19, the apostle John tells us that “the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

1.      The world is under the rule of the evil one.

2.      The world is caught in the embrace of sin.

3.      The world only wants to push deeper and deeper into the realm of darkness.

 

B.      The forces of evil rage around the Christian at all times.

1.      They do battle with us.

2.      They seek to destroy us.

3.      They seek to implement their doctrines, agendas, and ways of life into our world.

4.      They want us accept them.

5.      They at least want us to keep silent about the things they are doing.

 

C.     The Christian soldier must always be prepared. 

1.      He must be ready to stand in the gap.

2.      He must be ready to challenge the foe.

3.      He must be ready to wield his sword.

4.      He must be ready to give his life if that is what is required.

 

D.    The title of our lesson this morning is:  “Soldiers, Prepare for the Battle.”

 

I.                   THE SOLDIER MUST INCREASE HIS INTELLIGENCE

 

A.    The truth of Hosea 4:6 must be deeply impressed upon the soldier’s mind.  The prophet said:  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”

 

B.      The Bible tells us that knowledge is what gives a person strength (Prov. 24:5).

 

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

 

C.     Our knowledge must be great in two areas in order to fight the enemy.

1.      We must have the knowledge of God’s Word.

a.      Jesus confronted His archenemy with the Word of God three times (Matt. 4:1-11).

1)      Deuteronomy 8:3

2)      Deuteronomy 6:16

3)      Deuteronomy 10:20

b.      When Peter proclaimed the gospel, he quoted the Word of God (Acts 2:22-36).

1)      Joel (Joel 2:28-32)

2)      David (Ps. 16:8-11)

3)      David (Ps. 110:1)

2.      We must have knowledge of the enemy (II Cor. 2:11).

 

Lest Satan should be an advantage of us:  for we are not ignorant of his devices.

 

a.      His agendas and why they are evil

b.      His strength

c.       His methods of attack

d.      His allies

e.       His ultimate ends

 

II.                THE SOLDIER MUST CULTIVATE HIS COURAGE

 

A.    Courage:  the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc.

1.      Courage may involve no fear.

2.      Courage may involve moving forward despite fear.

 

B.      Israel was facing a great enemy while they were in bondage in Egypt. 

1.      The Pharaoh was terrified about the growth of Israel and ordered for all the children two years old and under be killed.

2.      It was into this environment that Moses was born.  The names of his parents were Amram and Jochebed. 

3.      Hebrews 11:23

 

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

 

C.     How does the soldier develop courage?

1.      He accepts his duty.

2.      He develops a will to fight.

3.      He prepares and trains.

4.      He desensitizes himself to fear.

5.      He trusts in the Almighty God (Duet. 20:1)

                                                                                                               

When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them:  for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

 

III.             THE SOLDIER MUST ADORN HIMSELF WITH HIS ARMOUR

 

A.    Armor is designed to protect the soldier against the blows of the enemy.

 

B.      Twice in Ephesians 6, Paul exhorts us to adorn ourselves with the armor of God.

1.      Ephesians 6:11

 

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

 

2.      Ephesians 6:13

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

 

C.     Paul lists six parts of the Christian’s armor and weaponry.

1.      Our loins are to be girted with truth.

2.      We have on the breastplate of righteousness.

3.      Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

4.      We carry the shield of faith.

5.      We put on the helmet of salvation.

6.      And, we take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

 

D.    Two important points about our armor.

1.      All of our armor is tied to the Word of God in some manner.

2.      All of our armor is designed for frontal attack.   The Lord never intends for us to turn our backs and run from the enemy.

 

IV.             THE SOLDIER MUST KNOW ALL OF THE “No’s”

 

A.    There is NO excuse not to fight (Jesus in the wilderness)

 

B.      There is NO negative talk.  (Ex, the 10 spies)

 

C.     There is NO giving up.  (Ex., Moses against Pharaoh)

 

D.    There is NO compromise with the enemy.  (Ex., Nehemiah)

 

E.      There is to be NO rebellion against God’s authority.  (Ex., Korah, Dathan, and Abiram)

 

F.      There is to be NO sin in the camp. (Ex., Achan against Ai)

 

G.     There is to be NO fighting from within.  (Ex., Absalom against David)

 

V.                THE SOLDIER MUST PETITION GOD IN PRAYER

 

A.    Every battle in Scripture wherein God was first petitioned about the matter, the children of God were victorious.

 

B.      Example: Jehoshaphat’s prayer (II Chron. 20)

1.      The Moabites, the Ammonites, and others came against Jehoshaphat (II Chron. 20:1).

2.      They sought the Lord in prayer (II Chron. 20:3-4)

 

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast in Judah.  And Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord, even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

 

3.      God’s people did not have to draw a sword or shoot an arrow in this battle (II Chron. 20:15-17).  “…for the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.”

 

C.     After telling the church at Ephesus to gird on the armor God, Paul connected prayer with their preparation (Eph. 6:18).

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

 

VI.             THE SOLDIER MUST SURROUND HIMSELF WITH SOLDIERS

 

A.    We do not need to go into the battle alone.

1.      Alone we are weak.

2.      Alone we are vulnerable.

3.      Alone there is less protection.

4.      NOTE:  Satan loves to see Christians striking out on their own. Away from the congregation, he has a much higher success rate of destruction.

                                                                                                             

B.      As the church, we should all unite against the forces of the enemy (Eccl. 4:9-10).

 

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:  but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

 

C.     Let each soldier resolve to do as Paul exhorted the saints in Philippi (Phil. 1:27b).

 

…that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Having prepared for the battle, the soldier then must fight (I Tim. 6:12).

 

Fight the good fight of faith…

 

B.      As we fight remember:

1.      The enemy will never fight fair.

2.      The battle could be long.

3.      There may be some casualties along the way.

4.      We will definitely suffer some painful blows.

 

C.     If we fight with faith, the victory will be ours (I John 5:4).

 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

 

D.    In the Revelation, every letter to the seven churches contains a promise to those who overcome.  Listen to the promise give to the church of Sardis (Rev. 3:5).

 

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.