Backward Christian Soldiers
The sermon challenges the Church to stand strong in faith and not be afraid to go forward in battle, despite its current state of division and inaction.
George Verwer delivers a powerful message urging Christians to stop retreating from spiritual battles and to instead move forward with courage and faith. He highlights the divisions within the Church, the lack of unity and love among believers, and the tendency to prioritize comfort over taking a stand for Christ. Verwer emphasizes the enduring nature of the cross of Jesus and the assurance that the Church will prevail despite challenges and doubts.
Text
1. Backward Christian soldiers,
Fleeing from the fight,
With the cross of Jesus,
Nearly out of sight.
Christ our rightful master
Stands against the foe
Onward into battle, we
seem afraid to go.
Chorus: Backward Christian soldiers,
Fleeing from the fight,
With the cross of Jesus,
Nearly out of sight.
2. Like a mighty tortoise
Moves the church of God.
Brothers we are treading,
Where we've often trod.
We are much divided,
Many bodies we,
Having different doctrines, but
Not much charity.
3. Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the cross of Jesus
Hidden does remain.
Gates of hell should never
'gainst the Church prevail,
We have Christ's own promise, but
we think it might fail.
4. Sit here then ye people,
Join our sleeping throng.
Blend with ours, your voices
in a feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort
Ask from Christ the King,
But with our modern thinking,
We won't do a thing.
Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight,
With the cross of Jesus, nearly out of sight!
Christ our rightful Master, stands against the foe,
But forward into battle, we are loath to go.
Like a mighty tortoise, moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading, where we've often trod.
We are much divided, many bodies we,
Having different doctrines, not much charity.
Crowns and thorns may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus, hidden does remain.
Gates of hell should never, 'gainst the Church prevail,
We have Christ's own promise, but think that it will fail.
Sit here, then, ye people, join our useless throng;
Blend with ours, your voices, in a feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort, ask from Christ the King.
With our modern thinking, we don't do a thing!
Backward Christian Soldiers...
Sermon Outline
- I. The Church's Current State
- A. Fleeing from the fight
- B. Divided and lacking charity
- C. Afraid to go forward in battle
- II. The Church's History and Strength
- A. Like a mighty tortoise, moves the Church of God
- B. The cross of Jesus remains hidden but strong
- III. The Church's Modern Problem
- A. Modern thinking leads to inaction
- B. Lack of faith in Christ's promise
- IV. The Church's Call to Action
- A. Join the Church's throng and sing a feeble song
- B. Ask for blessings and comfort from Christ
Key Quotes
“Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight, With the cross of Jesus, nearly out of sight.” — George Verwer
“Like a mighty tortoise, moves the Church of God;” — George Verwer
“We have Christ's own promise, but think that it will fail.” — George Verwer
Application Points
- The Church must stand strong in faith and not be afraid to go forward in battle.
- The Church must work to overcome its divisions and lack of charity.
- The Church must have faith in Christ's promise and not think it will fail.