Want to be a Trailblazer?
Let me tell you how!

1. Introduction
   1. I never really knew what a trailblazer was until I received Jesus as my own personal savior. They talked a lot about being a trailblazer at my church, Calvary,
   2. but little to my knowledge, I was oblivious to it. As time went on, and people came to the church, different speakers, missionaries etc.
   3. They would talk about this way of life called being a trailblazer. I now truly know what it means to be one. It’s one who is preparing and making a way for the Lord Jesus Christ in people’s lives.
   4. It’s so important that we take the gospel very seriously. When you are youthful, you don’t think much about mortality, or even when you’re middle-aged.
   5. But after 65, you begin to see another picture. One that’s getting close to our departure. Even then, people still don’t get the clue that Heaven’s door is just around the corner.
   6. That’s why it’s so important to be out soulwinning. The bible says in Proverbs 11:30: He that Winneth Souls is Wise. Going to church is not enough, Christians.
   7. You must be trained and equipped in God’s Word, led by your pastor and the church to encourage you to be talking to as many people as you possibly can,
   8. sharing your testimony at every chance you can, with the hope and prayer that as you’re blazing the trail, along the way many will receive Jesus Christ as their own personal savior.
   9. If your church is not training and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, they are shaming the Lord! The people deserve better!
   10. When a pastor is hired his main focus should be training and equipping the saints, being the under-shepherd that he is called to be with the calling that he is given,
   11. and the main focus should be winning souls. To be a trailblazer, one must be focused.
   12. One must be studied up. One must be trained to understand how to minister the gospel effectively to anyone that you come in contact with.
   13. You should be equipped and ready to answer questions and carry your bible so it can be the witness to your conversation. It’s not easy blazing the trail.
   14. But if you’ll focus on studying God’s Word, knowing God’s Word and allowing His Spirit to lead you and guide you into all truth and understanding, you will be the trailblazer, and very successful.
   15. Now let us look into our message.

Want to be a Trailblazer?
Let me tell you how!

2. There are stories of great men who were trailblazers. Who were they?
   1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer – A German theologian and pastor who was involved in the resistance movement against the Nazi regime during World War II.
   2. He wrote extensively on the topic of Christian ethics & was executed by the Nazis in 1945. His writings continue to inspire Christians around the world to this day.
   3. John Wesley – A minister who founded the Methodist movement in the 18th century. He’s known for his emphasis on personal holiness, evangelism, & social justice, & his influence can still be seen today.
   4. Martin Luther – A German theologian who played a key role in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. He is best known for his “95 Theses,” which challenged the practices of the Catholic Church at the time and sparked a movement that would reshape Christianity.
   5. And these are just a few examples. There are many more.

3. Is your heart to study and know God’s Word?
   1. We are all called to study God’s Word so we are approved of God and can accurately share it with others. Here it comes! Wait for it! 2^nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. This one verse encompasses everything that you and I are to do as Christians. The Great Commission is to go out into the highways and byways and compel the lost to come in, but it starts with studying, THEN we can rightly divide to others the Word of Truth.
   2. The more we study God’s Word, the more we know it, and know the God of the Word. Psalm 119:10-11: With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Are you studying? And are you meditating on His Word? If so, YOU can become the next trailblazer!

4. Is your heart to be all you can be for Him? Or are we just sitting on our laurels waiting for the next big wave to come through when you could’ve been riding it.
   1. If your heart is to be all you can be for Jesus, you are obeying what Jesus said in Luke 9:23: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. When we say “I do” to Jesus Christ, we are called to set aside our own personal agendas and pick up His.
   2. If you are just sitting on your laurels and waiting for the next big wave, James has a word for you. James 1:6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. You know, for years and years we have prayed for a great revival, but I think God is saying back to us, “You be the revival.” When we endeavor to be all we can be for Christ, revival comes. He will make you a spark of revival.

5. People are desperate. People are discouraged. Many lives have been turned upside-down that need the love, grace & guidance to encourage them to continue to keep marching on.
   1. This is why the Church is so important. Paul speaks about this in Hebrews 10:24-25: & let us consider one another to provoke unto love & to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: & so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. When we all get together as the Church and decide to be all we can be for Jesus, we can encourage and help those that are in need.

6. The bible is also filled with trailblazers (OT&NT)
   1. Abraham blazed a trail into the unknown for a nation that he would give birth to. Genesis 12:1-3: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham obeyed and God blessed Him and the 2 nations he birthed are still on the earth today.
   2. Joseph was another trailblazer for the nation of Israel in that after being sold into slavery by his family, being accused of something he never did, God ultimately raised him up to save his people from a terrible famine. Genesis 41:46-48: And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. Eventually the brothers that had sold him into slavery would come needing food during the eyears of famine, and Joseph would bring them to Egypt to ilve until Moses came to bring them home.
   3. Speaking of Moses, when we first meet him, he knows his calling, but tries to do it his own way and gets into trouble. Finally, his trailblazing starts at the burning bush. Genesis 3:3-5: And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.It was here that God called Moses to be the trailblazer that would lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt and on their journey to the promised land.
   4. Paul started out as a trailblazer for the enemy, but then this happened. Acts 9:2-4: And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Paul went on to be the trailblazer for Christ who won countless souls to the Lrod and wrote 2/3 of the New Testament.

7. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is one that is a trailblazer with numerous accounts of what he did.
   1. He drew attention to Himself with his knowledge and wisdom at the young age of twelve. Luke 2:45-47: And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Little did they know that the one standing in front of them was the greatest trailblazer of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.
   2. He fed five thousand men with just five loaves & two fish. Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves & the two fishes, & looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fish andthousands were fed. This happens here at the Little House every Sunday night.
   3. We talked about last week how he calmed the storm at sea. Mark 4:39: And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. One word from Jesus changed the whole situation, from rough and stormy, to calm and peaceful.
   4. He even raised a man from the dead, proving that He has the power over death. John 11:43-44: And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. After Jesus was crucified on the cross, on the third day, he arose from the dead, showing the world that He had conquered death.  He was deadly serious about being a trailblazer, and he certainly arose to the occasion. 😊

8. Where are you in this message?
   1. It is my prayer that this message has inspired you to press on and be all you can be for God. Philippians 3:14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Is this you? This is something to think about.

9. Are you all set because you received Christ as your own personal savior?
   1. As we say all the time, it is not enough just to believe and say you are all set. James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. We must live out what we believe and be fruitful for the one who saved us.
   2. Have you done anything to bring glory to God? 1st Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. We were made for His Glory, and everything we do should be to give Him glory.
   3. Have you gone out into the highways and byways to compel people to come into the church? Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. God wants His House to be full! What are you doing to help fill this place? Are you our there complaining that there aren’t enough people, or are you out inviting them???
   4. Have you led anyone to the saving grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, this message is for you.

10. Story: Bonhoeffer, a German Trailblazer.
    1. We mentioned Bonhoeffer earlier in the message as an example of a trailblazer. Here is a little bit more information on what he did in the World War 2 era.
    2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian, lived a life of profound faith and courage during the Nazi era.
    3. He initially opposed the Nazi regime’s ideology and its influence on the church, eventually joining the German resistance and participating in plots to assassinate Hitler.
    4. His commitment to justice and his unwavering faith led to his arrest and execution by the Nazis in 1945.
    5. Bonhoeffer, born into a prominent family, chose theology over aristocracy, entering a path that would lead him to confront the evils of Nazism.
    6. He became a vocal critic of the regime, particularly its persecution of Jews, and established a seminary that resisted Nazi influence. When war began, Bonhoeffer struggled with the moral implications of fighting for Hitler, eventually choosing to engage in resistance activities.
    7. e joined the German Military Intelligence, which served as a cover for the resistance movement. He helped Jews escape to Switzerland and attempted to negotiate peace with Britain,
    8. but his efforts were unsuccessful. In 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested for his involvement in the resistance and spent the next two years in prison.
    9. During his imprisonment, Bonhoeffer wrote extensively, producing works like Letters and Papers from Prison, which explored themes of faith, discipleship, and the nature of a world come of age.
    10. His writings have become influential texts in Christian theology and continue to inspire reflection on faith and action.
    11. In the aftermath of the failed July 20, 1944, assassination attempt on Hitler, Bonhoeffer was implicated and executed in Flossenbürg concentration camp on April 9, 1945, just weeks before the war’s end.
    12. His martyrdom, along with his theological insights, has solidified his place as a hero of faith and resistance against tyranny.
    13. Over the years, I’ve heard this man mentioned on the radio and it is said that out of all of the Christians living in Germany at the time, he was one of very few who spoke out against the Nazi movement. He was a trailblazer. Let’s you and I become the few that will speak out for the cause of Jesus Christ.

11. Conclusion
    1. Has this message made you think of who you are and what God has made you to be?
    2. Is it enough to say that you’re saved and then do nothing else? Do you know the rewards are great on the earth and heaven for the things you’ve done
    3. Are you a trailblazer? If you are not, you ned to be.

Soldiers Prepare for the Front Line!

1. Introduction
   1. As our military prepares, trains and equips its soldiers to be instantly ready for combat maneuvers or whatever they are called on to do,
   2. They are specifically trained and equipped, each one having their own set of parameters, abilities and skills applied to a particular operation when called for.
   3. The US Armed Forces is a highly trained and equipped elite force from the AirForce, to the Coast Guard, Marines, Army, and Navy transport.
   4. They are trained and equipped for readiness to protect the homeland of the United States, as well as abroad along with our allies that we cover.
   5. You and I who are born-again, who have accepted Jesus Christ as our own personal savior, enlisting in the Army of the Lord should be as trained and equipped,
   6. & more so than all of the branches combined. Why do I say all of the branches combined? Because every bit of readiness from the world’s standpoint is moment by moment.

1. We, who are Christians have a big job, obligation and responsibility to reach the world and teach and guide the world through the spiritual soldier’s handbook, the 1611 Authorized King James version.
2. This handbook covers every aspect of life, from creation to final destination, and everything in between.
3. Those who study, train, and are equipped for the work of the ministry are an elite force for the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. It knows how to prepare and be spiritually ready, and to be spiritually combat-ready. Our mission is spiritual. We don’t fight physically but pray spiritually.
5. Through prayer & supplication and studying God’s Word. We are and should be trained to lead & guide, and bring people home from the enemy’s devices
6. and from the fatigue of struggling and fighting through all the world and what it has placed in front of us all.
7. God’s leaders are supposed to be the true leaders of the free world. The world’s answers only go so far, but God’s answers come with a question.
8. For any solution or any form of wisdom, for any type of understanding we must retain knowledge.
9. Why the world is fatigued, and the Christian world is becoming even more so, is because of this scripture in Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
10. The bible goes on to say this, in Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
11. The bible also says in James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
12. As each and every day is a brand-new day brought forth, we must be combat-ready. We’re in a spiritual war.
13. We must suit up every day with our spiritual armor, as the bible tells us in Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
14. Ephesians 6:16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
15. Saints, we’re spiritual soldiers compelled to go into the world and be combat-ready from the wiles of the enemy trying to distract us, detour us, destroy us and devour us.
16. We’re covered by a hand, and overshadowed by the creation and power that can hold any man’s stand who’s willing to stand and be the spiritual soldier that God has called him to be.
17. The bible says in Jude 1:3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
18. We must fight the good faith until the very end. 1st Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
19. Now let us look into our message, Soldiers prepare for the front line!

2. When I ask you to define what a soldier is, what’s your answer?
   1. We get the following three definitions from the AV1611 King James Bible dictionary.
   2. A man engaged in military service; one whose occupation is military; a man enlisted for service in an army
   3. A man enrolled for service, when on duty or embodied for military discipline; a private; as a militia soldier.
   4. Emphatically, a brave warrior; a man of military experience and skill, or a man of distinguished valor, such as we talked about in this morning’s message.

3. The bible tells us what a soldier is. It is defined precisely from old to New Testament.
   1. In our first passage, we see groups of 36 thousand soldiers, and they were soldiers for war. 1st Chronicles 7:4: And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. God is raising up an army today for a spiritual war, to bring souls into the kingdom of God.
   2. In this next verse, we see soldiers taking entire cities over for the nation of Israel. 2nd Chronicles 25:13: But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. We want to take our cities for Jesus Christ in this last day, and the only spoil we want to take is souls. Fish that we can bring to the master.
   3. As we flip over to the New Testament, we see that soldiers are people that submit to authority and are attentive to orders. Matthew 8:9: For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Our general is the Lord Jesus Christ and we must be attentive to His Word, to do what He says to do at any given moment. We are His Soldiers.
   4. We also find that soldiers in the military sense keep guard over their prisoners. Acts 12:4: And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. In a sense, we as soldiers for Christ are to guard the lives of those we minister to, to keep them on the path God has for them.
   5. Sometimes a soldier must endure hardship. 2nd Timothy 2:3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. I think of the soldiers that were in Valley Forge with George Washington. They endured a hard winter.

4. When you think of the military from a human standpoint, then a militant spiritual standpoint, what distinction do you make & what’s the difference?
   1. The human military exists to protect, build up, and defend their nation. Joshua 11:12: And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. These were part of a physical military to help establish and defend the nation of Israel.
   2. The spiritual military exists to rescue souls from the devil’s grip and lead them to safety in the Arms of Christ. 2nd Corinthians 10:4: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) The devil can have strongholds in the lives of people who don’t know Christ, and God uses us through his Word to help set them free.
5. As I said in the introduction, the military protects our homeland abroad and all of our allies throughout the world. What’re we protecting? What’re we making sure of? What’s our purpose and direction and final outcome?
   1. Our purpose and direction while we are on this earth is to see as many people come to the saving knowledge of Christ as we can. 1st Corinthians 9:16: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! We’re called to preach the gospel and lead people to Jesus Christ. This is for all of us, not just pastors and evangelists.
   2. What is our final outcome? We will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ and be rewarded by Him for all that we did for Him. Revelation 22:12: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Our final outcome as soldiers of Christ is that we win! We’re on the winning side!

6. What is a soldier’s motto?
   1. The soldier’s motto is to defend his country in short. You and I as soldiers for Jesus have One who is our defence. Psalm 59:16: But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

7. Why is it so important to study God’s Word and know all of the ins & outs of what He expects of us all?
   1. God’s Word is our sword, and Jesus Himself wielded this sword when the devil was tempting Him. Matthew 4:9-11: And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. The devil couldn’t combat the Word of God. The same is true today. When you weild that sword, you are victorious.
   2. If we will meditate on His Word and hide it in our hearts, we will know what He expects of us every day, for the bible says in Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Spend time in it every day, digesting it, breathing it in, and living it out!

8. Why are we told to put on the whole armor of God? What is its function?
   18. Take your bible and turn to Ephesians 6 and let us look at verses 11 to 18. I’ll wait while you turn to it.
   19. We read about the armor of God this morning, but I think it is good to look at it once again this evening. Ephesians 6:11-12: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We as Christians have a spiritual battle that is waged every day against the purposes and plans of God in the world.  You and I must remember that our battle is ultimately not with people, but with the enemy of our souls, Satan himself.

14. Let’s look at verses 13 and 14. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; The evil day is here and now. We must stand on the word of God. The belt of truth is God’s Word, and we must always stand on it, and live righteous lives.

16. Let’s go to verses 15 and 16. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Everywhere we go, we should be proclaiming the good news of how people can have true peace by coming to the saving knowledge of Christ. As we go about our day serving God, always have unwavering faith and we will quench every dart that the enemy throws at us.
17. Finishing up with verses 17 and 18: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The mind is always the devil’s primary battlefield. If he can get you to doubt your salvation, he can make you ineffective and neutralize your ability to minister. If you asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, you are sealed until the day of Redemption according to Ephesians 4:30. Now you have your armor and are ready to be all that you can be in the Army of the Lord.

9. In the Old and New Testament, what was the preparation, training and equipping, and the motto for battle?
   1. God led the Children of Israel into a 40-year boot camp. Where they would rest and train up for the battles they would face upon crossing the Jordan. Exodus 13:17-18: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. They failed time and time again, grumbling, complaining, and worshipping other gods. This training period lasted 40 years!
   2. After 40 years’ time, it was time to march. When Joshua’s men received their marching orders, this was their response and motto. Joshua 1: 16-17: And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. They were ready to cross the Jordan, and take the land for Joshua and for the Lord.
   3. The great Apostle Paul, writer of 14 books of the New Testament needed a three year training period before he began his ministry. Galatians 1:16-18: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. Paul needed to spend time with God, study the Word and get to know all he could before venturing out on his impactful ministry.

10. Are you a soldier? Are you training and being equipped?
    1. Are you praying? Are you studying? Are you preparing the way of the Lord?
    2. There’s a cohesive distinction that separates earthly and spiritual military.
    3. When a soldier first comes to basic training, they’re told that their ideas and thoughts will no longer be the thoughts and ideas but from the handbook that trains and equips them,
    4. and the spiritual soldier is very relevant with one very different distinction. My ways are not your ways. The Christian’s fight is spiritual.
    5. The natural military – their fight is physical, through pain, suffering, bloodshed and sorrow.
    6. Our general, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ went to spiritual battle for every single living, breathing soul on this earth and faced suffering, sorrow, bloodshed, beatings, whippings, and finally physical death.
    7. This general rose again on the third day and came back the same as he was yesterday.
    8. Instilling the kingdom of God is at hand. Proving that he is the only one true living soldier, creator and maker, alpha and omega, and everlasting King.

11. Story: A Soldier with a Mission
    1. When Timothy first joined the army, he was so excited. He knew he was fighting an important war.
    2. Above all, his heart thrilled at the thought of serving underneath his captain–the One who had saved his life and enlisted him in his army.
    3. His enthusiasm bubbled over into everything he did and to everyone he met. Whatever task he was assigned– whether big or small–
    4. Timothy had attacked with joy and enthusiasm. He might not see how, but he knew the drills and tasks before him were all part of an important war.
    5. Otherwise, the captain wouldn’t have assigned them. And he knew that after the war ended, the captain would take them all to live in the new kingdom together.
    6. When other soldiers annoyed him, Timothy let their words fall off his shoulders.
    7. His enemy would like nothing more than to get them to waste their energies in anger at each other!
    8. You could say Timothy was a soldier with a mission. He knew why he was there, whom he was serving, and where he was going.
    9. And he let that knowledge put a joy and delight into everything he did.
    10. But as the weeks went by, Timothy gradually lost sight of the big picture. He, like so many of his fellow soldiers, got caught up in just making it from day to day.
    11. He still did his drills and tasks, but he did them as a man checking a box. He began allowing other soldiers’ comments irritate him.
    12. Worse still, he began being critical of others. Timothy was no longer a soldier with a mission.
    13. One day, Timothy bumped into another soldier named Zach. Zach was struggling with a lack of joy and asked Timothy for advice.
    14. Timothy tried to help, but his words sounded hollow to himself. Where was his own joy?
    15. His conversation with Zach caused Timothy to remember the big picture–to remember why he’d enlisted in the first place.
    16. He remembered what the captain had done and promised to do for them. He began praising in his heart again instead of complaining.
    17. Slowly but surely, he remembered why he was there, whom he was serving, and where he was going. And as he did, his zeal and joy returned.
    18. There was no need to just make it through the day. Once again, he was a soldier with a mission. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
    19. “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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
    20. Are you a soldier with a mission, like the man in our story? This is something to think about as we come to our conclusion.
12. Conclusion
    1. In light of the message, are you a soldier for Christ? Have you enlisted? Have you filed the paperwork?
    2. How has this message changed your thinking and thoughts? Are you a soldier for Christ? Are you living for Christ? Are you telling others about Christ? Or have you been living for yourself. Maybe now’s the time that you need to know Christ.