{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Houston's First Baptist Church","title":"Soldiers of the Cross","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1140,"description":"In this sermon the preacher opens by reading 2 Timothy 2:1‑4, emphasizing Paul’s call for believers to endure hardship like disciplined soldiers of Christ. He contrasts the youthful desire for a cause—illustrated by a story of Michigan students seeking a protest cause—with the deeper, spiritual battle for righteousness that he says is waged in every human heart. The speaker argues that the gospel’s mission is not only to bring peace and prosperity but to do so with a militant, aggressive spirit, urging Christians to become \"soldiers of the cross\" who are angry at sin, injustice, and spiritual complacency.\n\nHe then outlines what that soldierhood looks like: rejecting worldly entanglements, developing spiritual stamina, and putting on the full armor of God described in Ephesians. The sermon warns that the enemy is a deceptive, active devil and that believers must be vigilant, courageous, and ready to march into the world to win souls. The preacher challenges listeners—students, professionals, and church members alike—to abandon passive faith, to give, pray, and witness boldly, even if it means being called odd or fanatic. He closes with a prayer asking God to give the congregation the fortitude and backbone to live as battle‑scarred warriors for Christ.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/o5yzRQYlXr9ParDz0W15WXJmDEyj_QNDo8tzYNqSRoc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wN2Ew/Yjg4MTI1YTdmNDVi/Mjc2NWZiNDkwYTBi/OTU4MS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}