2 Timothy 2:1-7 (NASB) 1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

“After listening to the news about the cold war, I am worried about the people in the world. In thinking it over, I have a plan. Get all the leaders together who want war, put them in a ring and let them fight it out.”

LET THEM FIGHT IT OUT!!!

LET THEM FIGHT IT OUT!!!

Matthew 24:6 - You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

Matt 24:36-40 - 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. NASU

“You don’t know the horrible aspects of war “You don’t know the horrible aspects of war. I’ve been through two wars and I know. I’ve seen cities and homes in ashes. I’ve seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, WAR IS HELL!”

WAR IS HELLISH, BUT NOT HELL!

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, Who serves under the Flag.

2 Timothy 2:1-4 (NASB) 1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2: 3-4 - You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

I. PLEASE HIM WHO ENLISTED US “I JUST CAME TO HOOK UP YOUR TELEPHONE.”

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim 2:4 - No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Eph 1:22 - And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…” Matt 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." NASU

Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

John 3: 36 – 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

II. ENGAGE THE ENEMY

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

“Two things— 1st I study my opponent until I know him better than he knows himself, and 2nd, I make a plan of attack.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be self- controlled and alert 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

III. FIGHT TO THE END 2 Timothy 2:3 (NASB) “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” “Endure hardships” OTHER VERSIONS TRANSLATE THIS…

Mt 10:22 - All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved Mt 24:12 - Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Mt 24:13 - but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mt 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

“CERTAINLY, SOLDIER. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.”

“When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to guard yourself, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round. Remember that the man who fights one more round is never whipped.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.