Today, we begin a new message series called “Basic Training.” Basic training in the US Army is a 10 week journey from being a civilian to a soldier. In Basic Training you learn basic tactical and survival skills. You learn the basics of the army life and 7 core army values. The 7 core army values are: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Pretty good list, isn’t it. All are basic biblical values as well.
So, why name this message series “Basic Training?” Just a basic training equips a civilian for service as a soldier in the US Army, so spiritual basic training equips a believer to be an effective soldier in Jesus’ army. In the last message series, we spoke of the spiritual warfare that every believer is involved in. What happens to untrained civilians in the middle of a war? They are soon wounded or killed. Same thing happens in spiritual warfare. Many believers are casualties in spiritual warfare because they have not received basic training or have not put it into practice.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.
God wants you to be a good soldier of Christ Jesus. You learn to endure hardship. You seek only to please your commanding officer, Jesus Christ, so you don’t get involved in civilian affairs. You lay down your rights for the advance of the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
There’s all kinds of civilian affairs we could get involved in, here referred to as godless myths and old wives’ tales. There are an endless number of ways that you can waste time and entertain yourself without accomplish anything of profit for God’s kingdom.
God’s Word says, have nothing to do with those types of things. Rather “train yourself to be godly.” To be godly is to live life according to God’s purpose for you, to make a huge impact for Jesus Christ in your world. Being godly does not come automatically, you must train yourself, you need spiritual basic training. It is more important than physical training, for training in godliness has value, not only for this life, but the next as well.
So, that’s what we’re going to do in this new series, Basic Training. We’re going to teach on 12 skills or disciplines that are essential for a soldier of Jesus Christ. These 12 disciplines are not just something to learn about with your mind, they are to be practiced and perfected until they become second nature for you. Who’s ready to begin Basic Training?”
Today, my message is entitled “Time with God.” God is your commanding officer, you are not in charge, you do not call the shots, you do not make the decisions, you do not argue. You simply listen to God and obey. In order to build your relationship with God, you must get to know Him, you must learn to hear and distinguish His voice, you must learn to submit to His will and simply obey.
Today, we’re going to look at an example from the life of Moses. As you read your Bible, you’ve got to learn that the Bible is much more than a story book, it provides principles to guide your life and decisions. So, what can we learn from Moses’ life about time with God?
Message Audio, Outline & Study Guide
Basic Training Message Series
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