1. CHRISTIAN YOU ARE IN WAR!
THE REALITY AND THE IMPLICATIONS

2. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 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. 2 Timothy 2:1-4

3. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

4. OVERVIEW OF 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-4
Be strong. Why? There’s a battle. There’s a war.
How strong? Meditating in, living in, drinking in the grace of the gospel.
Hey, Timothy. There’s work to do. Preach, teach, exhort. Tell them to do the same.
There is a WAR! You are a soldier! You must fight.
And, remember you are a soldier, that’s right a soldier.
And, in case I didn’t mention it—you are currently engaged in warfare.
Don’t be distracted! And, did I mention that you are a soldier?

5. I. THE FACT OF WAR
2 Cor 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds
1 Tim 1: wage the good warfare
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith
Eph 6: Put on the whole armor of God
Matt 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

6. II. THE NATURE OF THE WAR
From the beginning Genesis 1-3; Rev 12:7-11—War broke out in Heaven…
Sin, Death, Satan rule—every person a slave
Two Kingdoms—Kingdom of Darkness; Kingdom of Light. God’s agenda—His Kingdom of Light invading the Kingdom of Darkness.
Jesus Nukes the power of sin, death, Satan and triumphs over them!
1 Cor 15: "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 1: our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death
Ambassadors sent.

7. III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE VERY REAL WAR
45 million in the twentieth century alone.
In 2002, approximately 164,000 Christians died as martyrs.
Estimated that the yearly average will grow to 210,000 by 2025.

8. IV. THE END OF THE WAR The Beginning of the End
The Personal End of the War
The Lord’s Return
THE END OF THE END
Rev 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

9. V. HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?
 STAND! Phil. 4:1—so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
FIGHT! 1 Tim. 6:12
RUN! Phil. 3:12-14
GO! Matthew 28:18-20