Becoming a Mighty Army of the Lord: Part 2
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
2 Timothy 2: 1-3
“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. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.
He can do the same for us.
We must battle dressed in the Whole Armor of God
Eph 6:10-12: Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth,
John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Truth is protection. Truth is power. Truth is predicated on the Word of God. When we walk in the truth of the Word, we experience the freedom of God. When we walk in the lie of worldly philosophies, we experience the bondage of the enemy’s lies.
Eph 6:14b “and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
A physical breastplate will protect the heart and lungs, the vital organs of the body. A spiritual breastplate will protect the vital organs of the spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 " Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.
With our lungs we breathe air to function in the world. With the Holy Spirit within us, we breathe the breath of life to function in righteousness in the spiritual realm and the worldly realm. Now go do the right thing.
Ephesians 6:15 “and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
We must be prepared to walk in peace. Walking in the truth and in righteousness prepares us to walk in peace.
1 Peter 3:10-11 “For he that wants to love life and to see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile. Let him turn aside from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves; mind the same thing; be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Graham Cooke has written, “Peace isn’t something you create through stress management or positive thinking. It is already yours in Christ, waiting to be accessed. The Father doesn’t give you peace as a reward for handling life well or having everything figure out. His peace is available in the chaos, in the uncertainty, in the middle of the storm—because its flows from His character, not your circumstances.
“Peace isn’t the absence of problems—it’s the presence of God’s perspective in every problem. When you see from His elevated view, circumstances lose their power to steal your calm.”
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Faith is proactive protection.
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Faith, too, is predicated on the word of God. Abraham knew that Isaac would come down from the mountain of sacrifice because he knew that God would fulfill His word that Isaac was the son of promise, the conduit though with the blessing of Abraham would flow through all the generations.
David had been anointed to become the next king of Israel. He wasn’t king yet. He knew that God would fulfill that promise, so Goliath was the one who had to die.
Faith is believing that God is Who He say He is and God will do what He says He will do.
Ephesians 6:17a And take the helmet of salvation.
In both Greek and Hebrew, salvation means rescue, deliverance, help, victory, and the well-being that comes from obedience to God. It is more than a get out of hell free card.
Romans 12:2 teaches that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. The helmet pictures the need for us to not only allowing God to renew our minds, but also the need for us to take charge of and control our minds and our thoughts.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Proverbs 23:7 for as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.
When we think of those things, when we hold these ideals in our heart, what is in our heart will guide us in the issues of our life.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Ephesians 6:17b and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Psalm 119:11-16 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Jehovah; teach me Your Precepts. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will think on Your Commandments and have respect to Your ways. I will delight myself in Your Precepts; I will not forget Your Word."
When David fled from Saul, outlaws and other outcasts of society joined him as he hid in the caves of the En Gedi wilderness. With the Holy Spirit to anoint, guide and empower him, David became a warrior king, a man after God’s own heart and the sweet singer of Israel. David was both a man of war and a man of worship. Members of his army have been immortalized in Scripture as the “mighty men of Israel.” (2 Samuel 23)
“Israel” means “one who is triumphant with God” or “one who prevails with God.” Are you willing to be trained for the spiritual warfare of today, to find safety in the promises of the armor of God and to be a mighty warrior who prevails because of a relationship with our Lord Who will, in the fullness of time, return leading the army of heaven.
God is Who He say He is and God will do what He says He will do.
In God’s army, all believers have a part.
