THE REDEEMED IN THE ARMED FORCES ARE "MINISTERS OF GOD"

 Romans 13: 1 - 4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: 4 For he is the MINISTER OF GOD to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the MINISTER OF GOD, an avenger to EXECUTE WRATH upon him that does evil.

OUR LORD JESUS AFFIRMS THE OFFICER IN THE ROMAN ARMY

Luke 7: 2 - 10 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue. 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof: 7 Therefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto you: but say a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. (Centuriona Roman officer over a hundred soldiers, and member of Herod Atnipass army; say the word, the centurion understood the authority, its power, and Christ Jesus had both of these elements at his command, Acts 10: 1 - 48 Cornelius, centurion, open the door to the Gospel to the Gentiles in Caesarea)

Luke 3: 14 (Our Lord Jesus and John the Baptist affirms the soldier's calling in the armed forces) And the soldiers likewise asked of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.


OUR FATHER WOULD HAVE ALL YOUNG MEN SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES


 Judges 3: 1 - 4 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who before knew nothing thereof; 3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entrance of Hamath. 4 And they were to test Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. (The main purpose for the serviceman is to be tested and see if he is going to "hearken unto the commandments of the Lord")


THE REDEEMED MAKE LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS IN THE MILITARY THAT DETERMINE THE DIRECTION, CALLING, PRIORITIES, AND RELATIONSHIP HE WILL HAVE WITH OUR LORD JESUS AND OUR LORDS WORD FOR HIS LIFETIME:

1.     Salvation and the Lordship of our Lord Jesus in the redeemed's life:

Romans 10: 9, 10 (Commitment to our Lord Jesus for salvation) That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 12: 1, 2 (The redeemed surrender and enter into a covenant commitment to our Lord) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2.     The redeemed enter into a covenant and communion relationship with their Redeemer and His Word while serving in the states and foreign countries. (Challenges: feeling alone, separated from family, girlfriend, and friends back home)

Psalm 119: 9, 10
   9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word.

   10 With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments.

   11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

II Timothy 3: 16, 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 37: 1 - 7 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

II Samuel 22: 5 - 7;  When the waves of death surrounded me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; 6 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me; 7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. 17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; 18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.

THE REDEEMED LEARN TO ENDURE HARDSHIPS, SUFFERINGS, OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY, AND PERSEVERANCE IN THE ARMED FORCES AND COMBAT

II Timothy 2: 3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

Psalm 144: 1, 2 Blessed be the LORD my strength, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.

II Samuel 22: 33 - 43 God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like hinds' feet: and sets me upon my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms. 36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your gentleness has made me great. 37 You have enlarged my path under me; so that my feet did not slip. 38 I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. 39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. 40 For you have girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me have you subdued under me. 41 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. (King Davids warfare testimonies of the victories of our Lord Jesus)

THE REDEEMED MAKE LIFE LONG COMMITMENTS TO OUR LORD JESUS IN THEIR SEPARATION FROM UNGODLY SOLDIERS, AND THEIR SINFUL "OFF DUTY" ACTIVITIES

II Samuel 22: 22 - 25 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. 24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from my iniquity 25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eyesight.

II Corinthians 6: 14 - 18 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what partnership has light with darkness? 15 And what harmony has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ("Belial", the devil)

 Deuteronomy 13: 6 - 8 (Redeemed separate themselves from the foreign idolatrous gods in the foreign nations)  If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul, entices you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people who are round about you, near unto you, or far off from you, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 You shall not yield unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him:

THE REDEEMED SHARE THE GOSPEL, DISCIPLE HIS FELLOW DISCIPLES IN THE MILITARY, AND SEE THE POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS TO SAVE SOME.

Acts 1: 8 But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Cornelius Acts 10: 1 - 48)

Matthew 28: 19, 20 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

II Timothy 2: 2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

II Timothy 4: 2, 5 Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. & 5 But you watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your ministry.

THE REDEEMED'S REWARD IN HIS FAITHFULNESS TO OUR LORD JESUS IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY IN THE MILITARY

II Timothy 4: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

All Bible verses are from the King James Bible 2000