Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:34-39
Militant Christians
Intro.
1. Militancy of God’s people is exhorted in song: Onward, Christian Soldier; Soldiers of Christ, Arise. 2 Cor. 10:3-6
2. Militant: “Engaged in warfare or combat… aggressively active (as in a cause)” (Webster). Are you ready for battle?
3. Bible says, “Fight the good fight of faith,” 1 Tim. 6:12.
a. Some Christians say, “I’m tired of fighting!”
b. We must “fight the good fight of faith” to lay hold of eternal life, 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7-8. Keep this commandment! 1 Tim. 6:14
4. cf. Phinehas: “he was zealous with My zeal among them…so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal,” Num. 25:1-12 (11). “He went after the man of Israel…” 25:8; Obtained peace, 25:12.
5. Jesus (zeal for God’s house), Jno. 2:13-17.
6. Without genuine faith we will not be militant (aggressive, zealous) for Christ, cf. Deut. 1:28-32.
a. Such faithlessness causes discouragement and despair.
b. Be alert, watchful, conscious of sin and knowledge of righteousness, Eph. 5:15.
-Christians must have a militant attitude plus an aggressive (zealous) practice of our faith. The militancy of God’s people should be apparent in the following: [Personal Application]
1. Be militant in obeying (applying) truth, Heb. 5:11-14; Jas. 1:21-22; 1 Jno. 2:3-6 (Phil. 2:12).
a. In growing as a Christian, Heb. 5:11-14; 6:3.
b. In teaching the gospel (trying to save people), Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21.
1) Relationship evangelism? Prov. 11:30; Jude 22-23
2) Social gospel to “draw” to Christ? Jno. 6:44-45; 1 Cor. 2:1-2
c. In moral living, 1 Cor. 15:33-34; Matt. 5:13-16; Rom. 13:13-14.
2. Be militant in contending for the faith, Jude 3.
a. There are many adversaries, 1 Cor. 16:8-9 (The devil leads the charge, 1 Pet. 5:8).
b. We must fight or be consumed! 1 Cor. 15:32; 1 Tim. 6:12 (Eph. 6:12)
c. Some do not contend because they have been convinced that the faith is not absolute, plain and complete, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (Jno. 8:31-32). 2 Cor. 11:3
d. Some will not contend because they confuse contending with contentiousness, 2 Tim. 2:14-15, 23-26.
3. Be militant in resisting the devil (sin, evil, error), Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:3-4.
a. Give no place to the devil, Eph. 4:27. Withstand (resist, oppose), Eph. 6:13.
b. Requires a priority and unwavering commitment of faith, Dan. 3:17-18 (Matt. 6:33).
c. Do not “put up with” sin and error or with those who promote it, 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 16-20 (19-20); Gal. 2:5. (1 Cor. 5:1-2, 13)
4. Be militant in standing in the faith, 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10-13, 14-17). (“Stand up, stand up for Jesus”) 2 Ths. 2:15
a. Stand your ground (a matter of character: cf. 300 Spartans, Alamo), Rom. 8:31, 37.
b. Steadfast in the faith, Col. 2:5-7; 1 Cor. 15:58 (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3-5).
c. Be strong and take courage in the strength of the Lord, Eph. 6:10.
Conclusion
1. Good to always be zealous for what is good (truth), Gal. 4:18.
2. We must militantly (aggressively) obey the truth, contend for the faith, resist the devil and stand up for Jesus or we will be devoured, defeated and eternally lost, 2 Cor. 10:3-6.
3. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: October 11, 2013