Soldiers in Faith Matthew 8:5-13

Notable Bible Warriors Caleb But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24, ESV)

Notable Bible Warriors Caleb Joshua And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the L ORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the L ORD.” (Joshua 24:15, ESV)

Notable Bible Warriors Caleb Joshua Corneilus

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. (Acts 10:1-4, ESV)

Notable Bible Warriors Caleb Joshua Corneilus Philippian Jailer And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (Acts 16:32-33, ESV)

For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8:9, ESV)

The Importance of Authority Without a chain of respected authority there is chaos, mob rule In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25, ESV)

The Importance of Authority Without a chain of respected authority there is chaos, mob rule Without immediate obedience there is disaster, defeat

The Importance of Authority Without a chain of respect authority there is chaos, mob rule Without immediate obedience there is disaster, defeat Real authority is both obeyed AND exercised

Soldiers recognize spiritual authority And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

Soldiers recognize spiritual authority And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23, ESV)

Soldiers recognize spiritual authority If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14:37, ESV) I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Soldiers recognize spiritual authority All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Soldiers recognize spiritual authority Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 1:9-11, ESV)

Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience Alert Watch Watchful Sober minded Awake On guard Beware

Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience Obedience – Acts 8:36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36, ESV)

Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience Obedience – Acts 8:36 Reconciliation - Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)

Soldiers see the importance of immediate obedience Obedience – Acts 8:36 Reconciliation - Matthew 5:23-24 Concern for the lost- John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. (John 4:35, ESV)

Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25, ESV)

Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV)

Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV)

Soldiers see the need to exercise leadership Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, ESV) Prayer Thought Plan TIME Effort

Authority is to be taken seriously from both directions Caleb – served the Lord wholly Joshua- as for me and my house… Corneilus- gathered souls around to hear