LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

CONFERENCE FOR WORKERS/MINISTERS HELD AT CCIC, COMMAND, LAGOS STATE. 26/12/2022

THEME: RAISING SOLDIERS OF CHRIST IN THE 21ST CENTURY (2 Tim 2v3-4)

INTRODUCTION: There are many descriptions of children of God in the bible-light of the world, holy
nation, temple of the holy spirit, redeemed of the lord, Christ ambassadors, soldiers of Christ, salt of the
earth etc. Our focus in this conference is soldiers of Christ. There are many differences between 1st
century and 21st century soldiers of Christ. This generation is sliding towards a dangerous end as many
soldiers are leaving the stage without reliable replacements, many soldiers of the lord have been
entangled with the affairs of this world, many have laid down their weapons and backslidden, many
are wounded by the enemies and they are rendered incapacitated etc. To reign with Christ, you must
become and remain a soldier. Many Apostles have become Apostates and are also working against
the growth of the church. A soldier of Christ doesn’t retire. You become enlisted into God’s Army the
day you are born again.

The three categories of soldiers are: (i) Soldiers of men (ii) Soldiers of Satan (iii) Soldiers of Christ

All saved, sanctified and spirit-filled believers are soldiers of Christ.

All sinners whether in the sanctuary or society are soldiers of Satan.

Soldiers of men are those who see men as their god who they must reverence above God. They are in
church but not in Christ. Many years in church but 0 years in Christ. They can defend their
Pastor/denomination but could not defend Christ and his kingdom. They have fear of pastor but no fear
of God. They believe their leaders more than God. Ministers of God should be careful not to turn Christ’s
soldiers to their own soldiers purposely for building their personal ambition, empires and neglect God’s
kingdom. When many people are submitting to you and joining your ministry, there are temptations you
will face as a leader-making yourself as lord over them, using people as tools for your own selfish
purpose etc. You are a steward (and not the owner) of every soul under your care. People can honour
their leaders but NOT worship them. Remember King Herod in Acts12v20-24

1. Pre-requisites/Prices of becoming Soldiers of Christ

2. Purpose of Soldiers of Christ
3. Pains, Perils and Persecution of Soldiers of Christ
4. Pollutions to avoid as Good Soldiers of Christ
5. Power and the presence of God with Soldiers of Christ
6. Profits and Rewards for faithful soldiers of Christ

1. PRE-REQUISITES/PRICES OF BECOMING SOLDIERS OF CHRIST

i. Salvation- There must be clear evidence and assurance of salvation. You cannot
serve two masters. There must be clear difference between your old life and a new
life. If you are not born again as a leader, how do you raise godly and holy people? If
 you are leading a congregation where majority are not born again, you must labour
on their salvation if you must end well
ii. Sanctification: Setting apart for the master’s use. Your heart must be circumcised.
You must not be under the dominion of sin and flesh. Your spirit, soul and body
must be sanctified. 1Thess 5v23.Evidence of the fruit of the spirit must be seen. Gal
5v22, Isa 52v11
iii. Holy Ghost baptism: Price of waiting upon the lord for spiritual empowerment must
be paid. Luke 24v49. Life is a warfare and not a funfair; a battleground and not a
playground. Your enemies are sin, flesh, worldliness and Satan. The day you are
enlisted as a soldier, Satan has become your enemy. The devil is after people in
leadership.
2. PURPOSE OF SOLDIERS OF CHRIST
i. Warfare: War against inward and outward enemies-sin, flesh, worldliness, satanic
agents, Satan. Fight the good fight of faith. 1Tim 6v12, Eph 6v12.Being a friend of
the world makes you an enemy of God. James 4v4
ii. Winning the lost/Rescue the perishing/Soulwinning: Many are in the prison of
Satan waiting to be slaughtered. You must arise for their salvation and deliverance.
Pro 24v11-12, Acts 26v18
iii. Restore love and unity to the local church. Denominationalism, tribalism should not
be used for disunity and division. John 17v21. The slogan must be “All for one, one
for all”
iv. Watchmen- Watch over your life, family, ministry, nation in prayers. Isa 62v6. A
watchman sees danger ahead and preserves the people before the attack of the
enemies.
v. Exposing and destroying the works of darkness. 1 Jn 3v8
vi. Build strong believers who can stand for the lord anytime, anywhere . Build a holy
church without blemish or wrinkles. 1 Cor 16v13-14, 1 Sam 4v9
vii. Earnestly contend for the faith. Jude v3. There is a heavy attack against the word of
God today. False teachers are increasing everywhere deceiving people
3. PAINS, PERILS AND PERSECUTION OF SOLDIERS OF CHRIST: Mat 5v10-12, 2 Cor
11v25-30, 2 Tim 3v12, Luke 9v23. There is no gain without a pain and no prize without a
price. Any gold that will shine and be attractive must have passed through fire. A soldier of
Christ who has rejected the offers of Satan and the world must be ready to face persecution.
You will help people and still hate/hurt you in return; care for people and complain in
return. Its not an easy road indeed but His grace is always sufficient. Consider the following
examples:
a. Paul 2 Cor 12v7
b. Timothy 1 Tim 5v23
c. Epaphroditus Phil 2v27
d. David 1 Sam 19v10
e. The three mighty men 2 Sam23v15
 f. Joseph Gen 49v23
g. Uriah: A faithful, dedicated, loyal and disciplined soldier in the hand of an unfaithful and
backslidden leader. 2 Sam 11. Even at the point of death, a soldier must not deny his faith in
Christ the true and loving saviour.
4. THE POWER AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH SOLDIERS OF CHRIST. Exo 33v14,
Luke 24v 49 Jesus Christ is the Commander of his Army. He knows and cares for every of
his soldiers. Every soldier of Christ carries different levels of power (the power of a sergeant
is different from a Colonel; that of a colonel is different from a general etc). You must thirst
for more of God’s power and presence in your life. Lets carefully study the following people:
 Apostles before and after holy ghost baptism
 Saul after receiving Samuel’s anointing 1 Sam 10v10-11
 Moses: A stammerer, murderer who later became a mighty deliverer of God’s
people from Egypt.
 Gideon: A judge who was hiding initially from the attacks of the enemies before God
visited him and brought him out to limelight
 Paul after his encounter with God on the way to Damascus

We are living in the habitation of cruelty Ps 74v20. There are wicked people that will examine/test how
strong you are spiritually. Acts 19v15, John 14v30. If the prince of this world examines you, would you
scale through? A soldier of Christ must always put on the whole armour of God. Eph 6v10-20. The help of
the Holy spirit is needed more in our days. Are you ready to cooperate with the holy spirit? He wants to
take you deeper and higher in the school of the spirit? Are you really ready for him?

5. POLLUTIONS TO AVOID AS SOLDIERS OF CHRIST 2 Cor 7v1

 Worldliness- Beware of the evil practices and systems of the world. You cannot be worldly
and still be holy. Soldiers of Christ are in the world but not of the world James 4v4, 1 John
2v19
 Love of money and materialism. Don’t commercialize the gospel. Jesus is not for sale. Don’t
demand for money before ministering to people. Beware of the creeping danger of
materialism e.g., Gehazi, Judas Iscariot, Achan, Simon Peter vs Simon the Sorcerer
 Love of fame, position and titles. Luke 22v21-24 There are many ministers today that carry
title but no mantle. Study the life of Elisha the servant of Elijah after he received the double
portion of his master’s power. Even the sons of the prophets that have mocked him before
have to bow down to God’s anointing upon him.
 Pride: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Many are proud of their
gifts,anointing,big auditorium, international connections,education,position,memebership
strength,eloquence etc. James 4v6,
 Sexual Immorality- Samson vs Joseph, David. Avoid every appearance of evil. Sex is ONLY
permitted in marriage i.e. between a man and a woman. Teenagers, Matured singles, single
mothers,divorcees are increasing in many local churches. Becareful when counseling them.
 False teachings/heresies 2 Tim 4v3-8. Beware of another gospel and another Jesus.
 Evil associations masquerading as godly associations. Your association determines your
acceleration in life. Friendship is by choice and not by force. There are many associations
that have swallowed the glory of many ministers. Beware of where you go looking for
special powers, papa’s connections, solution to personal and ministerial challenges.
Discernment and God’s leading are important nowadays. It is not every mountain you can
go for prayers.
 Unholy use of your tongue: Sins commonly associated with tongue are gossip, backbiting,
slander,lying,exergeration,cursing,evil speaking etc. Avoid fabricating lies to impress people
 Praises of men: Heaven’s applause is better than men’s applause. Becareful when people
are praising you for what God is doing through you. Always give the glory to God for
whatever God is doing in your life and ministry. Remember, King Herod in Acts. Avoid
seeking vain glory. Don’t allow people to turn you to a god.
 Spiritual fire extinguishers: These can be people, programmes, places, activities, thoughts,
words, messages, prophecies etc. that are ready to kill your spiritual fire.
 Lack of accountability: Every leader must have a leader. Don’t be a denominational lord
over God’s people. Many are in ministry and they are not accountable to anyone. Do you
have anyone who can rebuke you in love when you erred?
6. THE PROFITS AND REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL SOLDIERS OF CHRIST: Mat 25v21
Many faithful soldiers will be rewarded on the last day especially at the judgement seat of
Christ. Welcome and well done will be your portion on that day in Jesus’ name. There is a
crown of glory awaiting every faithful soldier. Don’t loose your crown because you want the
crowd in your ministry. It is better to lose the crowd so that you can gain the crown. Success
in ministry is not in accumulating what the people of the world are accumulating.
Faithfulness in ministry is very important

CONCLUSION: The best form of leadership is leadership by example. Christ must be seen in
our daily living and not only in our preaching or praying. Constant bible study, evangelism,
intercession, holy living, agape love, fellowship with the brethren etc must characterize our
lives and ministries in the new year. We must raise people to be like Christ in purity and
power demonstration. We must also be ready and willing to release faithful soldiers under
us to go and raise other disciples under the leading and direction of the holy spirit.
It is time to wake up and raise disciples for Christ in this generation. Are you ready for this
task?

Prepared By: Evang. Sunday Ogunsola (08036254689)