Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, July 25, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS HIS GROUND
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Text: Ephesians 6:13
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.
Introduction: In keeping with our theme for the year, “Prepare for War in 2004,” I have preached a series of messages on the pieces of “the whole armour of God.” According to our text, the purpose of that armor is to help you, having done all, to STAND.
This morning I want to point out another attribute of a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and that attribute is:
A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS HIS GROUND
Few people are standing today. The preachers who mean the most to me in the ministry are those who have stood their ground for many years. The Christians who make the greatest difference in a local church and in the cause of Christ are those who are willing to stand through thick and thin and in the heat of the battle.
I. A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS IN SPITE OF THE CONDITIONS
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
A. In spite of a trying environment
1. Isolation and loneliness
2. Wild animals
3. Insects
B. In spite of temperature extremes
C. In spite of tiredness experienced
II. A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS IN SPITE OF THE CASUALTIES AND CAPTIVES
2 Samuel 1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
2 Samuel 1:27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
Some fellow soldiers are going to be:
A. Defeated by Satan
B. Defeated by society (the world)
C. Defeated by self and sin (the flesh)
III. A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS IN SPITE OF COWARDS AND TRAITORS
When the 12 spies viewed the land of Canaan, 10 of them advised Moses to leave the place alone because of the inhabitants. The majority of Moses’ spies were COWARDS.
Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
A. Don’t look at their example of quitting
B. Don’t listen to their explanations for quitting
C. Don’t learn their end result of quitting by personal experience
IV. A GOOD SOLDIER STANDS IN SPITE OF CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE ENEMY
1 Samuel 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
A. The enemy is sneering
1. Like Goliath
B. The enemy is sizable
1. Like Goliath
C. The enemy is strong
1. Like Goliath
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |