7-19-98 "A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ." II Tim. 2

by Ronald E. George Jr.

Major Ballou

While their willingness to endure these physical deprivations is almost incomprehensible, one has to admire the emotional toughness of the troops. They believed in their cause, whether Union or Confederate, and they committed their lives to it. Most believed that they would not survive the war, but that was of little consequence.

Please understand that I do not see unmitigated virtue in the heroic visions of that day. Indeed, men were all too willing to put their lives on the line for a war they poorly understood. But their dedication and personal sacrifice remain today as memorials to their time.

There is, perhaps, no better illustration of this commitment to principle and honor than is seen in a letter written by major Sullivan Ballou of the Union Army. He penned it to his wife, Sarah, a week before the battle of Bull Run, July 14, 1861. They had been married only six years. These powerful words still tough my soul:

My Very Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more .

I have no misgivings about or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing, perfectly willing, to lay down all my joys in this life to help maintain this Government and to pay that debt.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless: it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break, and yet my love for country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on, with all these chains to the battle-field.

The memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God, and you, that I have enjoyed them so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not (return), my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle-field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have often-times been.

O Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the gladdest day and in the darkest night, amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always: and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall by my breath, or the cool air cools your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead: think I am gone, and wait for me, for we shall meet again.

Sullivan

Major Ballou was killed one week later in the first battle of Bull Run. I wonder, don’t you, if he did indeed utter Sarah’s name as he lay dying on the battlefield. She undoubtedly suffered the greater pain in the aftermath of that terrible war.---Focus on the Family Newsletter, March, 1994

Scripture Text: 2Tim 2:1 (KJS) Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Purpose of this sermon is to vividly illustrate what a good soldier of Christ Jesus is and to encourage all to be such.

What is a Good Soldier?

1. Exceeds the average!

A Good Soldier is always abounding in the Work of the Lord!

"Exceeding a fixed number or measure," "over-and- above."

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

A Good Soldier doesn’t despise the day of Small Things.
A Good Soldier doesn’t overlook the small things/people!

2. Enthusiastic About the Work! Sees the cause and end result

The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

3. Endures Through hardship!
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

A Good Soldier continues to Stand come what may!

An Ode to the Tallest Redwood

When St. Patrick and his brothers were proclaiming Jesus to the pagan kings of Ireland, My roots began their journey, threading their way into the gritty soil along Pescadaro Creek. My leaves peeked through the decaying litter of the redwood forest And I began my climb toward the sky.

Oh, I've seen my troubles:
Fifteen hundred years of flames roaring up the canyon

I've felt their crimson tongues lick at my bark until deep, bleeding wounds
left me in naked agony. My lower branches are centuries gone, victim to a hundred raging devastations. And yet I stand.

I once looked up at my elders and wondered if I would ever be so high, and grand, and majestic, Yet one by one they would totter and fall with a whoosh and a crash. Beetles and windstorms,
Fires and floods, And yet I stand. Wounded, yet I stand.

"Beautiful" would not describe me today, though perhaps "persistent."
Blackened scars bear mute witness to my history,
Deep gorges touch my very soul. Scar tissue and burls flow down my base like hideous lava to cover my nakedness, And yet I stand.

"Tallest Tree" says the placard at my base,
"Two hundred twenty-five feet" the board declares.
Wrong. For even at my age I'm still creaking and swaying and stretching, and I've grown some feet since then.

Huckleberries and tanbark oaks flourish far below, The great-grandchildren of my great-great grandchildren tickle my knees with their greenery,
And yet I stand. Jays and jackrabbits,
Foxes and fieldmice dart about in my shade, because I stand.

Stand in spite. Stand because. Stand for the forest that needs me. Stand to proclaim the glory of God. Stand a score of feet higher than my nephews and nieces.
Stand to see what they cannot in their wooded blindness. Stand to feel the fog bathe my face. Stand to drink in the morning sun. Stand to serve. Stand. Stand. Stand.

4. Entrusts the truth to others!

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses Entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

What is the Power behind the Good Soldier?

2Tim 2:1 (KJS) Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

--Make this your Choice in your Life and Love with the Lord….A Good Soldier!

--Follow Him where He leads you.

--Yield to His Power over you/ in you.

--Pray daily and Study the Word. Follow His directions to us in his Word.

--Don’t Gloat or lift up yourself / lift up His Name