Graham Family Ministries

Saturday, September 9, 2006

A True Soldier

I received the following article in our church's district newsletter and wanted to share it with you. It hits on some things that have been heavy on my heart. I will share the article first, then I will share some of my own thoughts. Here it is...

"Being a True Soldier of Jesus Christ"

Have you ever asked yourself the question “Am I just a church attendee or am I a true soldier of Christ Jesus? In 1Timothy 2:3-4 Paul tells Timothy, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs. . .he wants to please his commanding officer.” These verses imply at least three obvious truths which are important for every believer to consider. Hopefully they will strengthen your resolve to be a better “soldier” of Christ Jesus.

The first principle is that every believer is called to be fully engaged in the mission of the church and to endure the difficulty that will surely accompany such a lifestyle. The second principle is that we must remain focused on the mission of the church and resist any temptation to be sidetracked into worldly pursuits. The third principle deals with heart motivation--the soldier desires to please King Jesus and has a perpetual preoccupation to hear, understand and follow His every whim. Wow, what a challenge!

Church Attendees

Soldiers

- Attend every time the church doors open
- Let “church” happen to them on Sunday
- Expect the lost to come into their church
- Have a “deer in the headlights” look when asked how many unbeliever friends they have
- Listen weekly to good challenging messages
- Embrace comfort/ease as an expected norm
- Ask “what’s in it for me?”
- Demand stimulating/continual cognitive feeding
- Expect to get an A+ for knowing/reciting
- Think “discipleship” is a class
- See Sunday events as their main Life source
- Rely on church programs to care for hurting people
- Think a “calling” is for pastors and missionaries
- Think “evangelism” is scary and not their gifting
- Rely on church programs to disciple their children
- “Mission” means a trip
- “Missionary” means someone they support
- “Mission Field” is overseas somewhere
- “Church” is a building
- “Church” is an event on the calendar
- “Pastors” are the ministers
- Hear from sermons, books, radio, devotionals
- Love Jesus
- Love the believers on Sunday

- Open their doors to their neighbors every time
- Are at the Church every day of the week
- Accept responsibility to go to the lost
- Intentionally build relationships with lost people to lead them to Christ
- Receive daily orders from King Jesus
- Embrace hardship as part of their mission
- Ask “How will God use me in it?”
- Demand personal application of every Truth
- Expect to get an A+ for obeying/doing
- Understand “discipleship” is a way of life
- See daily devotions as their main Life source
- Personally “visit the fatherless and widows”
- Passionately pursue their God-given calling
- Develop a personal plan to reach the lost
- Practice daily discipleship with their families
- “Mission” is reaching lost/hurting around them
- “Missionary” is me and my family
- “Mission Field” is next door
- “Church” is people
- “Church” is me and fellow soldiers on a mission
- “Pastors” equip us to do the work of ministry as in
Eph 4
- Hear from the Holy Spirit through the Word
- Love and obey Jesus
- Love each other in a way that amazes the world

Take the test in the comparison box below. Do you measure up as simply a “church attendee” or as a “soldier” of Christ Jesus? How many bullets under “soldier” describe your life-style?

I realize that many of the things listed in the column “Church Attendees” are good things. I agree that faithfulness to the local church is extremely important. However, if this list sums up a believer’s spiritual existence, then we’re missing God’s best for His Church. Let’s intentionally think in terms of being a soldier and training up soldiers as we consider the purpose of our own lives, our families and our churches.

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Sheri's Thoughts:

This article just echoed my heartbeat...where God has me. A couple of things that have been heavy on my heart is discipleship...discipleship of our children. Some may not agree, but I feel at times that Christian families rely too much on the church for the discipleship and training of their children through Sunday School, Children's Church, Youth Groups, etc. I have been guilty of this myself. Scripture says that parents are to "train up" their children in the Lord..are we doing it, or are we just sending our children to all the programs at church and assuming the "church" is doing it? I am not saying that these church programs are bad, but I do feel that as a church we fall very short sometimes in not encouraging parents to disciple and train their children. We encourage them to bring their children to all the church programs...but do we encourage them to disciple and train them at home?

It saddens me to see how many people who have been "raised in church" (been through all the "programs") fall away from the Lord once they leave home. What is going wrong? What is missing? Why are these children not "walking in the way of their fathers"?....or are they? Has our Christian walk become only a "religion"? Do our children see Christianity as just going to all the church programs or do they see that it is a way of life? Are we as parents truly discipling our children...training them up in the Lord...do we talk of Spiritual things as we walk along the way...as we lay down and as we rise up? Are we memorizing Scripture with our children...reading the Bible with them...praying with them...singing with them...ministering to others with them...showing them how to serve? OR are we letting that only happen at church? Our children need to be receiving this instruction from US! Where are you at? How are you doing in this area?

I know these are hard questions...but Scripture is clear what our responsibilities are as parents. Are we being obedient?

This is what the Lord has challenged me with the past year or so and it continues to be heavy on my heart. I pray that my thoughts have "spurred you on" to seek the Lord about where you stand in this area of discipling and training your children.

~ Sheri

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Comments

Thursday, October 26, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Hi Sheri - I think you ask some very good questions. These are questions that we have asked ourselves over the years, as well. They are questions that every Christian parent needs to ask themselves.

Honestly, our body of believers conscientiously does an incredible job of "teaching" our children. They are godly people who are concerned about all of the children who come...both churched and unchurched. And yet...as great as they do, we know it is our responsibility to teach our children about God. In fact, it is our honor, our privilege!

Thanks for reminding us all!

Holly
www.seekingfaithfulness.wordpress.com

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About Me

I would like to encourage parents as they follow the path the Lord has set before them - which includes discipling their children, keeping a home, building relationships, and much more. I would also like to let others know about ebooks we are offering, as well as other resources that will encourage and equip parents to fulfill the challenge by the Lord set forth in Deut. 6:7.