Army of Christ

Imagine the awesome power of an army of individuals dedicated to serving God every minute of every day.  Imagine how much good can be accomplished when we all stand together in loving service to God.  Consider the possibilities of what a life focused on serving God through service to others can achieve.  Consider light overcoming darkness.

Standing Together

What a joyous blessing it is when some loving soul comes to your rescue.  Most of us have experienced times of despair or doubt that were overcome by the support of a family member or close friend.  If you’ve had the opportunity to be a caregiver yourself, I’m sure you felt God’s presence when reaching out in love to someone in need.  Unfortunately, the enemy has us so tangled up in this world we sometimes miss, or purposefully avoid getting tangled up in someone else’s problems; however, this might not be the case if we had another friend or two together with us to help shoulder the burden.  There truly is power in serving God through loving service to others with the help of a committed group of sincere followers of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB)

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.”

Serving God in the Army of Christ

While the Army of Christ is not an actually organized body, it is without question a possibility within the hearts of true believers.  We all long for the day when evil will be destroyed and we will live together in peace; unfortunately, the world we currently live in is still riddled with evil that must be overcome on a daily basis.  The Army of Christ is a commitment made by you to stand against this evil, push it aside, and clear the way for others to see the light of Jesus.  I’ve outlined a step-by-step process for you to move up through the ranks of the Army of Christ.  Below you will find a clear path from Private to General, where you will take command and move forward to conquer the enemy.  The steps presented are really only a suggestion of how you might consider growing in your knowledge and understanding of God with the specific intention of fighting evil through loving service to others.  Consider the following only as a guideline that can be altered to fit your specific circumstance.  I think you’ll find the basic concept is to love God, and love your neighbor as Jesus commanded.  You demonstrate that love through dedicated study of the Word of God and through loving service to others.

My prayer is that you will take on this challenge to stand firm against the enemy and join the Army of Christ standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other followers of Jesus Christ shining the bright light of truth on this world.

Army of Christ Purpose

The goal of the Army of Christ is to overcome evil with good by developing individuals who are committed to continuous study of the Word of God and who are dedicated to spreading God’s love by providing service to others.

Scripture in Support of Our Purpose

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Daniel 11:32 (NASB)

‘The people who know their God will display strength and take action.”

Ephesians 6:13 – 18 (NASB)

“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

Romans 12:21 (NASB)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Mark 12:28-31 (NASB)

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”  Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord;  and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Romans 13:10 (NASB)

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Romans 12:9-13 (NASB)

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

1 John 3:18 (NASB)

“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NASB)

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 2:1-4 (NASB)

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”

Army of Christ Commitment Statement

As a member of the Army of Christ, I will dedicate my life to serving God and moving closer to Him through continuous study of His Word.  I will seek every opportunity to spread God’s love through service to others.  I will support others in this endeavor through direct mentoring, team building, and continuous fellowship.

Army of Christ List of Ranks

Private

Believe there is One God who is the Creator of all things

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

Turn from your sinful nature and follow Jesus

Private First Class

Accept and confirm the following Essential Doctrines of Christianity

There is only one God. He has always existed and will always exist.

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

God is one essence, but three persons – Father, Son, Holy Spirit

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

We are sinful and cannot please God by our own good works alone.

 “There is none righteous, not even one” Romans 3:10

Jesus became a human being through a supernatural conception in Mary’s womb.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” Matthew 1:23

Jesus is perfect.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus Christ is, in essence, God. He is divine.

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” Colossians 2:9

Jesus Christ was fully human, as well as fully divine.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” John 1:14

God – and God alone – is able to rescue us.

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” Titus 3:5

Faith, not works, connects us to God.

“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” Romans 4:5

Only Christ’s sinless life, sacrificial death and bodily resurrection can bring us to God.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” 1 Peter 2:24

Jesus rose bodily from the grave.

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9

Jesus ascended, body and soul, to God.

“While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven” Luke 24:51

Christ represents our best interests before God.

“And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” 1 John 2:1

Jesus is coming again soon, and we should all be ready.

“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” Matthew 24:30

Corporal

Become a member of a church or small group that meets regularly to worship God.

Read the four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the book of Acts.

Sergeant

Read “The Parables of Jesus,” by J. Dwight Pentecost.

Read the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Read these books with guidance from a respected teacher such as Dr. J. Vernon McGee in his Thru the Bible commentaries and/or the Ryrie Study Bible or The Bible Project or “The Bible Book by Book,” by G. Michael Cocoris.

Sergeant First Class

Develop an ongoing strategy to Serve God by serving others along with your church or small group.

Read the book of Romans along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read “Satan and His Kingdom:  What the Bible Says and How It Matters to You” by Dennis McCallum

Master Sergeant

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Mentor someone of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books of 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read “Experiencing God,” by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King

Sergeant Major

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring someone of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, I Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read the books of 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus,  and Philemon along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read “Reimagining Evangelism,” by Rick Richardson

Second Lieutenant

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring someone of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books Hebrews & James along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read the books Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Job along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be Atheist,” by Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek

First Lieutenant

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring one or more individuals of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read a faith-based book of your choosing.

Captain

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring one or more individuals of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books Isaiah and Jeremiah along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read the book Revelation along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read “Revelation Unveiled,” by Tim Lahaye

Write a letter to yourself explaining exactly what the New Testament taught you and how that instruction will influence your life going forward.

Major

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring one or more individuals of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel along with the help of a respected teacher.

Read a faith-based book of your choosing.

Lieutenant Colonel

Continue developing strategies to Serve God by serving others with your church or small group.

Continue mentoring one or more individuals of lower rank in serving God and Bible study.

Read the books Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi along with the help of a respected teacher.

Write a letter to yourself explaining exactly what the Old Testament taught you and how that instruction will influence your life going forward.

Colonel

Organize your own Bible study group and teach others about what you have learned.

Organize your own Serving God program that includes three or more other people.

Assist others in developing Serving God strategies.

Brigadier General

Develop a discipleship program that mentors 10 or more people in Bible Study and Serving God strategies.

Partner with two or more churches or small groups to develop a large Serving God project.

Develop guidelines for successful Serving God projects and share them with other churches and small groups.

Major General

Develop a weekend Serving God program that involves a large group of people working Friday night through Sunday serving others in some capacity.

Gather your weekend group together to discuss how to perfect the program so that it can work for other churches and small groups.

Develop guidelines for your weekend Serving God program and make them available to other churches and small groups.

Lieutenant General

Bring together 10 or more churches or small groups and develop at Serving God event that includes a public festival of some kind open to the entire community.

Gather your event participants together to discuss how to perfect the project so that it can work for other churches and small groups.

Develop guidelines for your event and make them available to other churches and small groups.

General

Take Command!

Revelation 19:11-16 (NASB)

The Coming of Christ

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

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Serving God