PART 1A
Every Nation or Kingdom has an army of its own. And God, the King of all kings, has an army too. Just like satan has an army of demons, witches and wizards, etc. to God His own army are Holy Spirit – filled men and women who can lay hands on sick for healing, who can cast out demons, etc. and just as satan is constantly recruiting more and more people into his army, so is the Army of the Lord constantly increasing in size and efficiency.

May the Lord open our inner eyes to see the deep things of God as we study this series in Jesus, name. Amen.

1. GOD HIMSELF CHOOSES THE SOLDIERS IN HIS ARMY

The Almighty God does not work with volunteers. He prefers to choose His soldiers by Himself.
However, those whom He chooses invariably have certain things in common, namely:
(i) absolute loyalty
(ii) lack of fear and
(iii) absolute holiness.

In the same way, the questing of officers in His army is determined by His sovereign choice.

John 15:16; I Pet. 2:9; I Cor. 1:2, 9; I Cor. 1:26-29; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 12:11; Pro. 28:1; I Cor. 12:4, 11; 12:28-30; Mark 16:9-10; John 20:11-18; Matt. 9:9; I Tim. 1:15-16; II Cor. 12:11; Ps. 113:5-8; Luke 1:52; I Pet.5:5.

2. THERE IS ONLY ONE PUNISHMENT FOR FAILURES IN THE ARMY OF GOD: EXPULSION

A promotion in army of God is also at His supernatural discretion. However, He uses some guideline often. These include;
(i) Fruit production
(ii) Faithfulness in small things etc.
There is only one punishment for those who fail God: expulsion.
However, for those who succeed in His army, the reward is truly royal.

Ps. 75:6-7; John 15;2; Matt. 25:20-23; Luke 16:10; John 15:6; II Kings 2:11; II Tim.4:6-8; John 4:23.

PART 1B

In the first part of this series, we learnt that God does not work with volunteers but that He chooses the members of His army by Himself.
The same is also true of the selection of officers and promotions in His army. We also learnt. that while expulsion is the only punishment for failures, there is royal treatment for those who succeed in His army.

In this part, we wish to learn more about this unusual army. May God teach us deep things in Jesus Name. Amen.

1. THE ARMY OF THE LORD IS AN UNUSUAL ONE

The army of the Lord is composed of unusual soldiers who are. sheep and lambs. An army that does not use guns and bullets and yet are never afraid, even of death. An army of priests, who at the same time are kings, with an ability to hear God’s voice. Their main opponent is the devil who they are prepared to fight nonstop, even though he is invisible.

John 10:27; John 10:14; Luke 10. Ps. 23:1-4; II Cor. 10:4; Ex. l9-.5-6; Rev. 1:4-6; James 4:7; Eph. 6: 13; I Tim. 6:12-14; I Pet. 5:8-9.

2. THE SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS HAVE A THREE- FOLD ASSIGNMENT

The three-fold assignment of the soldiers of the cross are
A ministry to God, through the sacrificing of praises to Him
A ministry to one another, with the strong helping the weak and
A ministry to the world, bringing them into salvation, deliverance and health.

Gen. 12:1-3; 22:18; Ex. 20:18-19; Matt. 8:11-12; I Sam.15:22-28; I Pet. 2:9; Rom. 11:7, 11, Heh. 13:15; Ps. 9:11; Rom. 15:1-3; I Thes. 5:74; John 15:9-13; Matt. 16:15-18, Acts. 1:8.