Fight the Good Fight of Faith
(Summary of message preached by Lindsay Johnstone at the Remembrance Day service)

2 Timothy 2: 1-13, Zephaniah 3: 16-20 and Hebrews 12: 25-29

September 11th introduced us to a new shattering time of world shaking. God has accounted for it all.

In some ways it is unique, but in some respects it is not entirely new. There have been horrific episodes in the last 100 years. During the centenary of federation, Australians have shared horrific experiences with others in the world. Australians were lost in the bombing of Darwin, in the sinking of Sydney II. Undoubtedly there were Australians in London during the blitz. Thousands of Australians fell in the trenches of France in world War 1. Thousands endured (and many died in) the prison camps of Changi and the Burma Railway. Thousands endured and hundreds fell in the trauma of the Vietnam War. We salute them. We thank God for them. We thank God that through their pain we continue to enjoy a free country. Yet we can hardly escape to notice that we live in times that seem to approach the apocalyptic.

Paul referred to his young disciple Timothy as a warrior. He also wrote in Ephesians 6: 10-18 that all Christians are to see themselves as spiritual warriors, fighting against Satan’s forces, and being aware that these lie behind the deceits of men and women.

In Baptism the exhortation is given, “Fight bravely under his [I.e. Christ’s] banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and continue Christ;’s faithful soldier and servant to your life’s end.”

We now proceed to look at the life-style path followed by Christians.

Career Path of Christian Warriors

Recruited: God called us out of darkness into light. A reverse of “transportation”. The Cross of Christ made it possible. (Mark 10: 45)

Uniformed: Not in our own best clothing. We need to be clothed with Jesus Christ. We cannot “scrub up” for Jesus. We need the free issue of our uniform and weapons to fight Satan and to overcome sin. (Colossians 3)

Trained: The Bible teaches us how to live. The Holy Spirit links us with the Commander- in- Chief, Christ the King. (2 Timothy 3: 16)

Tested: Faith (commitment to the C-I-C and the Kingdom of God) grows as we persevere through opposition and in a time of shaking (Hebrews 12: 16ff)

Trusted: A true leader cares for the troops who give so much in obedience and dedication. God intimately loves and empowers his people and inspires their love. (John 15: 16; John 13: 12-15)

Triumphant: The crown of righteousness awaits those who fought, ran and kept faith, because they love Jesus and prepare for his Return. (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)

Ultimately, he the Lord will remove disaster from his faithful people.

"On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem;
‘Do not fear, O Zion;
Let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you in his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.
Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors.and I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.’ "
(Zephaniah 3: 16-19)

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