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)

On Active Duty!

The Christian is a volunteer in a spiritual army. Are you

on active duty or AWOL?

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by

the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation

through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of

the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.(2 Thessalonians 2)

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14• Out of darkness - I Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out

of darkness into His marvelous light; 10

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not

obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

(I Peter 2)

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14• Out of darkness - I Peter 2:9-10• To be separate - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”

(2 Corinthians 6)

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14• Out of darkness - I Peter 2:9-10• To be separate - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18• To be saints - I Corinthians 1:2

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and

ours:(I Corinthians 1)

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14• Out of darkness - I Peter 2:9-10• To be separate - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18• To be saints - I Corinthians 1:2• To stand against the devil - Eph. 6:10-11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6)

Called Into Service• By the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14• Out of darkness - I Peter 2:9-10• To be separate - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18• To be saints - I Corinthians 1:2• To stand against the devil - Eph. 6:10-11• To fight the good fight - I Timothy 6:12

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also

called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many

witnesses.(I Timothy 6)

Called Into Service• By the gospel to be saved• Out of darkness into light• To be separate from the world• To be saints, set apart, holy• To stand against the devil• To fight the good fight of faith

We Fight Against• Spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against

spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

(Ephesians 6)

We Fight Against• Spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:12• The flesh - I Corinthians 9:26-27

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who

beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest,

when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

(I Corinthians 9)

We Fight Against• Spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:12• The flesh - I Corinthians 9:26-27• Temptation - James 1:14-15

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and

enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,

when it is full-grown, brings forth death.(James 1)

We Fight Against• Spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:12• The flesh - I Corinthians 9:26-27• Temptation - James 1:14-15• The World - I John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life

—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God

abides forever.(I John 2)

We Fight Against• Spiritual wickedness, darkness• The flesh• Temptation• The World and it’s lusts

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to

stand.(Ephesians 6)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13• Truth & righteousness - Eph. 6:14-15

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and

having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(Ephesians 6)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13• Truth & righteousness - Eph. 6:14-15• The shield of faith - Ephesians 6:16

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

(Ephesians 6)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13• Truth & righteousness - Eph. 6:14-15• The shield of faith - Ephesians 6:16• Salvation, sword & prayer - Eph. 6:17-18

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always

with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with

all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

(Ephesians 6)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13• Truth & righteousness - Eph. 6:14-15• The shield of faith - Ephesians 6:16• Salvation, sword & prayer - Eph. 6:17-18• Eye on the Savior - Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race

that is set before us,

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the

cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of

God.(Hebrews 12)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:13• Truth & righteousness - Eph. 6:14-15• The shield of faith - Ephesians 6:16• Salvation, sword & prayer - Eph. 6:17-18• Eye on the Savior - Hebrews 12:1-2–Knowing He will help - Hebrews 2:17-18

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might

be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make

propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those

who are tempted.(Hebrews 2)

Preparing For War• The whole armor of God • Truth & righteousness• The shield of faith• Salvation, sword & prayer• Eye on the Savior–Knowing He will help

If you are a Christian it is because you heard the call of the gospel, believed it,

and volunteered to follow Jesus.

We have been called into active duty as soldiers, disciples, and servants, and shown how to prepare ourselves to fight against the enemy, the devil!

Those outside of Christ have already surrendered to Satan to do His will, and

will spend eternity with Him.

Will you serve willingly in Christ’s army, fighting against temptation and sin and

spiritual wickedness?

Now is the time to begin!