THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:8-10

  • Introduction:
    • The term “captain” is familiar to Bible readers because it is used often to describe a variety of positions.
    • For Example:
      • 1.  Kings were captains of their nation.
        • a.       Jephthah – (Judges 11: 6-11)
        • b.       Saul – (1 Sam. 9:16; 10:1)
        • c.       David – (2 Sam. 5:2)
        • d.       Hezekiah – (2 Kings 20:5)
      • 2.  Every king had a captain of the host (army).
        • (Gen. 21:22,32; 26:26; Judg. 4:2,7; 1 Sam. 14:50; 17:55; 26:5; 2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Kings 2:32 etc.)
      • 3.  In Israel, there was a captain over each tribe (Numbers 2:3-29)
        • a.       Amasa, captain of Judah – (1 Kings 2:32)
        • b.       Adina, captain of Reuben – (1 Chron. 11:42)
        • Note: (I Chron. 27:1-5) seems to indicate that each captain and his tribe served one month active duty a year.
      • 4.  Captains over smaller ranks.
        • a.       Captain of one thousand – (1 Sam. 17:15)
        • b.       Captain of one hundred – (Num. 31:14,48,52,54)
        • c.       Captain of fifty – (2 Kings 1:9-13; 15:23-25)
    • The title “captain” in what ever context used is obviously a military term.
      • The plain and necessary implication of this title is that we are passing through a country full of difficulties, dangers, oppositions, like Israel with the wilderness on their way to the promised inheritance; so that we need a Captain, Guide, Leader, to carry us safely through.
      • The responsibilities of a captain would then be to do the following.
  • I.   THE CAPTAIN MUST LEAD
    • A.      He leads us into the battle (Josh. 5:13-15) –
      • The most common battle of the 20th Century Christian is the one of personal sanctification.
      • Joshua 6 gives us several key points of strategy to remember.
        • 1.       If the battle is won, it will be given by the Lord – (Josh. 6:2; Eph. 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:12)
        • 2.       It may require a great deal of patience – (Josh. 6:3; Rom. 5:3; Heb. 12:1)
        • 3.       It may require a great deal of perseverance – (Josh. 6:4; Eph. 6:18)
        • 4.       We need to avail ourselves of the psychology of the “shout” – (Josh. 6:5; Ezra 3:11-13; Ps. 5:11; 32:11; 35:27 47:1)
        • 5.       We must realize that there is also an individual battle – (Josh. 6:5; Jam. 1:14; Rom. 14:12; Eph. 6:13)
        • 6.       It will require complete obedience – (Josh. 6:10; Rom. 16:19; Lk. 9:62)
        • 7.       It will require personal sacrifice – (Josh. 6:12, 15; Phil 2:5-8; 3:7,8; Heb. 13:16)
        • 8.       Paying close attention will help us keep from the accursed thing – (Josh. 6:18; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8; 1 Tim. 3:7; Prov. 4:23; 2 Cor. 8:7; Heb. 12:15; 2 Pet. 1:5)
    • B.      He leads in suffering
      • (Hebrews 2:10) says, Christ was made perfect through suffering.
      • This does not mean that he was sinful before and was made holy by his sufferings.
      • Christ was not made better, for he was before perfectly holy, but he was completely endowed for the work which he came to do.
      • He, through sufferings was rendered complete because of:
        • 1.       His sufferings made Him an example to all His people who shall pass through trials.
        • 2.       He is able to sympathize with them, and to succor them in their temptations – (Heb. 2:18)
        • 3.       By His sufferings an atonement was made for all sin.
          • He was made perfect, in that His death provided a finished work. – (Heb. 5:8,9)
    • C.      He leads into glory
      • It would be impossible for any of Christ’s soldiers to go into glory, had He not gone first as the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23)
  • II. THE CAPTAIN MUST ENCOURAGE
    • The best way is by example – (Jn. 13:14,15)
    • In order to properly encourage the captain he must be a man of Character.
      • A.  He must be a man after God’s heart – (1 Sam. 13:14)
      • B. A man who overcomes all for his goal – (2 Sam. 5:8)
      • C. A man who is the most honorable ; (2 Sam. 23:19)
      • D. A man who can listen to proper request – (2 Kings 4:13)
      • E.  A man who gives words of praise when they are deserved – (Lk. 19:17)