Onward Christian Soldiers

There is a great hymnal that goes like this:

1.      Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 

      with the cross of Jesus going on before. 

      Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; 

      forward into battle see his banners go! 

Refrain: 

      Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 

      with the cross of Jesus going on before. 

2.      At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; 

      on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! 

      Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; 

      brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. 

      (Refrain) 

3.      Like a mighty army moves the church of God; 

      brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. 

      We are not divided, all one body we, 

      one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. 

      (Refrain) 

4.      Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, 

      but the church of Jesus constant will remain.

      Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; 

      we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. 

      (Refrain) 

5.      Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, 

      blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. 

      Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, 

      this through countless ages men and angels sing.

            (Refrain)

The thought of today’s time is anything hassle-free, commitment- free, easy and convenient in life. We find these thoughts are permeating our society and have been allowed to seep into our churches making them dead or ineffective.  Our Lord has strategically placed us exactly where we are not for our convenience, not that we should be hassle- free or commitment- free, nor that we should merely have easy access to attend a morning worship service and after merrily go on our way. He has strategically planted our church in this location to effectively cause Satan to fall. To lose the battle that he wages against God’s people.

You say; “cause Satan to fall?” I thought Satan has already fallen!

Today our topic is about our communities. Since Satan has fallen from heaven where is it he fell to?

Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke chapter 9

Luke 9:57-10:21

Here we find Luke the beloved physician giving an account concerning Jesus and his disciples.

First he starts by showing Jesus teaching the disciples about priority. When we follow Jesus there are priorities. You might say; “Preacher I have always had priorities, I just follow my heart and I know that my heart is good and therefore my priorities are straight. And so it was with a few other disciples.

Vs. 57 “And as they were going along the road, someone said to him (Jesus) and said, “ I will follow you wherever you go.” How many of us can say this today? “And Jesus said to him: Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”

This doesn’t sound too convenient or hassle-free too me so far.  Jesus immediately says to another: “Follow me” Now this one says “Permit me first to go bury my father.” Can I do a few things that I want to do first Jesus? Jesus replies:  “Let the dead bury the dead but as for you go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

Often we say to Jesus I will follow you, but when asked to do something for him or for another we shrink back and seek to set the obligation in accordance with our terms. Beloved in our moments that we commit then reevaluate the commitment we show Jesus our terms in which we will do it, but he sets the terms beloved not us.

The work of God is never done according to our terms, we can never say to him yes, but!!

Yes we will go but when we are ready? Yes we will go whenever you call us is what we agree to is it not?

“Another said I will follow you Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home. But Jesus said to him, No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Again this walk is not set to your terms. If you say I will follow you there is no looking back. No turning aside to the former things. This is an exact commitment not determined by your terms, but rather by Gods terms. Now this seems to be very discomforting, certainly not convenient and not hassle- free.

This takes commitment! But for Commitment there is great reward!

And here are the happy results! Now Jesus, after appointing 35 teams of 2 and dispatching them to various cities with instructions on how to go as we read in Luke 10:1-16, watches for the results.

In pairs of two they went and to every city in which he directed them. They didn’t ask permission to take care of little things first, they didn’t delay the operations at all, they just went as directed. They laid down their lives to obey their Lord. 70 Disciples denied themselves, they didn’t take anything for the journey, they didn’t make pit stops on the way, they didn’t take it as an opportunity to treat themselves to a lavish dinner, instead they became like John the Baptist and entered into cities where Jesus himself was going to go. They searched out for an inviting house or receptive people that would hear them and then they laid the groundwork, they planted the seeds, and then they reported back to Jesus with a great and mighty praise report!

Why is all of this necessary one might ask? Why can’t we just assemble behind these 4 walls and let God send them to us? Why can’t we just mind our own business, we believe in God and we attend services and we worship God and we help the Pastor and the Elders when we’re asked. Why do I have to go into the city or to my neighbors?

Let me answer you; When Satan got kicked out of heaven with one third of the angels where did they go? When Jesus appointed 70 other disciples to send them to every city that he sent them to, what was his purpose?

The reason you have to go, the reason why you need to get out of your comfort zone and stop telling God your terms, the reason you need to look outside these four walls is there is a war right here in your neighborhood, right in your backyard, right in your city where your church is and that war is pressing in trying to take over.

What happened when Jesus sent the 70 out and they returned? Well let’s hear the report:

“And the seventy returned with joy saying, Lord even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

And Jesus said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”

This is one of the happiest moments in the ministry of Jesus! Jesus was expressing his joy, his excitement, and his celebration over their victory!

Satan was defeated in those areas, his assault against the cities was abandoned, and he fell that very day. Friends Satan is running wild all around us and he is going unchallenged. Is he being challenged in your city? What can you do about it?

Get together as teams and go out, as did the others that we read about. Follow Gods instructions; make it a point to give an hour or two every week to going into your neighborhood or city and shining your lights. Don’t let Satan go unchallenged anymore. Bible studies, bible readings, or even carrying your bibles around town for people to see sends a loud sound of victory. Be seen, be noticed, and be active. Put a smile on Jesus face.

You have the power! You can make a difference!

Vs. 19 “Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you!”

Team up Christians, find a partner and get busy, don’t be as some who find excuses.

Jesus will say to you! “I was watching Satan fall!” Jesus will smile and celebrate with you your victory!

Today there may be one among us that by the grace of God was brought here to listen, one that might not yet be saved, that might be struggling with asking Jesus to come into their heart. Friend if that is you, listen to what the spirit of God is saying today. Open your heart and let Jesus in. Stop resisting the Holy Spirit, stop-making excuses, if your saying I will after… or I’m not ready yet, Now is the time you cannot do this on your terms, only on Gods terms and here are his terms:

“Today if you should hear his voice, harden not your heart as in the day of rebellion.” Right now is the time! Set aside all your excuses and come to the alter right now and ask Jesus into your heart as it is written:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ  is Lord and believe in your heart that he was crucified for your sins and by the power of God was raised from the grave you are saved. Right now on his terms make this confession, believe it and step out to receive.”

Sing this song with me Saints as the music plays:

1.      Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 

      with the cross of Jesus going on before. 

      Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; 

      forward into battle see his banners go! 

Refrain: 

      Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 

      with the cross of Jesus going on before. 

2.      At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; 

      on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! 

      Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; 

      brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. 

      (Refrain) 

 This week's lesson is about pressing forward in faith, without faith we cannot please God. Without action our faith is dead. We must put our faith into action! The harvest is ripe!

Read Mathew 8:5-13 What questions did you have after reading this?

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Answer the following questions:

Who came to Jesus and why?

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Did Jesus offer to go and heal him?

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What was the centurions reply?

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Read James 2:14-26 What questions did you have after reading this?

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Answer the following questions:

What use is it to claim to have faith but never act on it?

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Can faith without works save anyone?

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Just claiming to believe is this real faith?

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Read Mark 11:20-26 What questions did you have after reading this?

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Answer the following questions:

What did Jesus say when Peter questioned him about the withered fig tree?

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What did Jesus say is will happen when we have faith?

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What did Jesus say about our desires when we pray?

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What needs to be done as we pray concerning forgiveness?

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Read Luke 18:35-43 What questions did you have after reading this?

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Answer the following questions:

Can Jesus heal someone who has no faith?

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What action did the blind man do to show  his faith?

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What was the reaction of the crowd after they saw the miracle?

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What was the reaction of the crowd before Jesus did the miracle?

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Read Luke 8:40-56 What questions did you have after reading this?

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Answer the following questions:

What happened to Jesus on the way to Jairus’ house?

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What told Jesus that he had been touched by someone?

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What was the womans problem and what made her whole?

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What did the people do to Jesus when he told the the girl was sleeping?

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Memory verses test 12:

Mathew 9:37 “The harvest is truly…”

Mathew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the…”

John 15:2 “Every branch in me that bears not fruit he…”

John 15:3 “Now are ye clean through…”

John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified that ye…”

Finish the following verses and repeat them.

Memory verses:

Mathew 8:8 Speak the…”

James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren though a man say he has faith…”

James 4:17 “Even so, faith if it hath not…”

Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto thee that whosoever saith unto this mountain…”

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto thee, Whatsoever things ye desire…”