Positioned for Battle

POSITIONED FOR BATTLE
(1 Sam. 17:20-26; Eph. 6:10-17 )‏
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 6 December 2009

“Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its BATTLE POSITIONS, shouting the war cry.” (1 Samuel 17:20-21).

I. THE LORD OF HOSTS IS OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF

“… But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (1 Sam. 17:45b; Isa. 9:6-7; Psa. 24:9-10)‏

Jehovah Sabaoth : God’s vast power and resources
1 Sam 1:3; 4:4; 17:45 – His incredible resources is sufficient to give a barren woman a child, sufficient to help an army win the battle, sufficient to help a kid up against the giant. What mountain are you facing today.

Captain of the Lord’s Hosts – Josh 5:13-15
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory – Psa. 24:7-10
Jesus is coming again! He’ll be coming in power. And He will come prepared for war! (Rev. 19:11-16)‏

II. THE CHURCH IS THE ARMY OF THE LIVING GOD
(Philemon 1:2; Phil. 2:25; 2 Tim. 2:3; Ezek 37:1-14; Song of Solomon 6:4-10)‏

The Church as an army requires …

1. A DISCIPLINED MEMBERSHIP

2. FIGHT TOGETHER, NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER (Eph. 6:12)‏

As members in the Army of the Living God, we must be disciplined, united, dedicated, and obedient.

III. I AM A SOLDIER – PREPARED FOR BATTLE (2 Tim 2:3)‏

Every Christian should be a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3). He should be aware of the battle, awake during the conflict, adaptable to the terrain, abiding through the years, aggressive in his movements, and armed to the teeth!

To be prepared for battle …

1. SOLDIERS KNOW THEIR MISSION (Luke 4:18-19; Act 1:8)‏

2. SOLDIERS MUST HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED FOR BATTLE (Mat. 16:18)‏
To be successful in combat, the Army must train continually to develop and maintain combat-ready soldiers.
Soldiers are trained for endurance
“Training is the Army’s top priority; it prepares us to fight. As leaders, our sacred responsibility is to ensure that no soldier ever dies in combat because that soldier was not properly trained. “Training is the cornerstone of readiness and the basis for credible deterrence and capable defense. Training prepares soldiers, leaders, and units to fight and win in war-The Army’s basic mission.” Training is the Army’s top priority and don’t you forget it!” (General Carl E. Vuono; Forward of Army Field Manual 25-101, Battle Focused Training).

3. SOLDIERS MUST HAVE DEVELOPED AN AGGRESSIVE OFFENSIVE MINDSET (Mat. 16:18)‏
“No army can march on a retreating mind.‏” Soldiers must have the heart or desire to fight and win.”

SIGNING UP (2 Tim. 2:3 )‏

A Soldier’s Pledge
I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct,
Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit–
trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army;
but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.
If He needs me in the Sunday school to teach the children,
work with the youth, help adults or just sit and learn I’ll be there.
He can use me because I am there!
I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier.
No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier.
I am not a wimp.
I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.
I will win.
My God has, and will continue, to supply all of my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me
and hell cannot handle me.
I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield
He will promote me to Captain
and then allow me to rule with Him.
I am a soldier in the army and I’m marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up.
I will not turn around.
I am a soldier marching, heaven bound.
~author unknown~