Living in Victory
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Intro: This Tuesday, the course of our nation will be determined by the outcome of a major election. Along with the Presidential election, there are hundreds of key elections across this country, from the Senate to the House of Representatives, to the State House, the Courthouse and beyond. Many Americans are living right now with great apprehension and even fear, dreadfully awaiting the outcome of the electoral process.
This morning, I want to declare to you that regardless of whether or not your preferred candidate wins in this election, you and I can live in victory.
My victory status is not determined by a bunch of people filling in a dot on a page.
My victory is already secured through Jesus Christ, and I am determined to walk in victory – regardless of what happens on Tuesday!
Notice our text:
A. The Conditions of Victory
Vs. 1 – whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ
Vs. 4 – whatsoever is born of God
There is no victory promised to the unbeliever.
Their life is one that is plagued with bondage and defeat.
Unbelievers have no concept of victory; only of being a victim.
B. The Confidence of Victory – vs. 4
· 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
C. The Complication of Victory – our faith vs. 4
… this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Our faith is the key to living in victory.
You cannot live in victory and live in doubt at the same time.
There is no reason why we cannot live in victory.
God has provided us with multiple assistance to strengthen and build up our faith.
The child of God can live in victory because of…
I. The Affirmation of His Promises
The greatest way to bolster your faith is to dive into the Word of God.
I John 2
· 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
· 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
Jesus showed us how to remain undefeated and victorious in Matthew 4 by rehearsing the Word of God.
One of the secrets to overcoming the wicked one is for the Word of God to abide in you!
It will take more than being exposed to it for a few minutes a week at church.
The child of God can live in victory because of…
II. The Availability of His Presence
Hebrews 4
· 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
· 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
· 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
What greater reinforcment could you ask for than the God of Heaven when you’re in a battle or in a struggle?
How many times have we fallen into temptation or been knocked to the ground because of our prayerlessness?
ILLUSTRATION: The game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” was a popular TV program that was hosted by Regis Philbin. It was launched in August of 1999, and asked the contestants a variety of difficult questions. The show offered several ways for the contestant to get help if they were stumped. They were called “Lifelines.” One of the lifelines that were available was one called “Phone-a-friend.” They could call up a friend and they had 30 seconds to give them the question and get an answer. They discontinued the feature in 2010 because they discovered that their friends were looking the answer up on Google while they were on the phone. Many contestants would have been prevented from going any further in the game if they had not had that option.
Let me ask you a question; when was the last time you used your Lifeline??
When was the last time you got in a bind, and instead of falling on your face, you simple “phoned a friend?
You have all the time you need, and He doesn't need Google!!
There is no greater friend than our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ!
There is no greater Friend than the one that has been touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and was in all pointes tempted like as we are, yet without sin!
Joseph M. Scriven, an Irish immigrant to Canada, wrote this hymn near Port Hope, Ontario, in 1855. Because his life was filled with grief and trials, Scriven often needed the solace of the Lord. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, he enrolled in a military college to prepare for an army career. However, poor health forced him to give up that ambition. Soon after came a second blow—his fiancée died in a drowning accident on the eve of their wedding in 1844. Later that year he moved to Ontario, Canada where he taught school. His plans for marriage were dashed again when his new bride-to-be died after a short illness. Ira Sankey found the manuscript and when he questioned Mr. Scriven about it, he said he had composed it for his mother, to comfort her in a time of special sorrow, not intending anyone else should see it. The song that was written by Mr. Scriven is one of my favorites; “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
1. What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
The access and availability of the very presence of God is one of the ways that you and I can live in victory.
The child of God can live in victory because of…
III. The Alliances of His People
Ecclesiastes 4
· 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
· 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
· 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
· 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Having God’s people around you to encourage you and strengthen you is vital to the Christian life.
When we fall, we have others to help us up.
When we are struggling, we have other believers to help us.
When we make mistakes, we can be encouraged and help get past it.
ILLUSTRATION: This past Thursday night, New York Jets rookie wide receiver Malachi Corley ran the ball down the field and right before he crossed the goal line into the end zone for a touchdown, he started celebrating and dropped the ball on the ½ yard line. The entire stadium was in shock. He made what was literally a “rookie mistake.” He cost his team a much-needed touchdown. I watched as he went to the sidelines. I expected him to get completely ravaged by his teammates for making such a stupid mistake. But you know what I saw? I saw veteran players patting him on the back and telling him it was OK. They gathered around him and encouraged him and let him know he was still an important part of the team. The Jets went on to beat the Houston Texans 21-13.
QUESTION: Have you ever dropped the ball? Have you ever made a rookie mistake?
Aren’t you thankful for a place you can come where they remind you that you are still a part of the team and that it will be OK?
Aren’t you glad to know that just because you mess up that it doesn’t derail the whole kingdom of God?
The reason that many Christians cannot live in victory is because they isolate themselves.
They pull away from the very people God put in their life to help them when they need it the most.
They are either ashamed, or too proud, or minimize the importance of the church.
I have never met a Christian that lived in victory apart from the local church.
You’re vulnerable and you are easily targeted when you pull away from the Alliances of God’s People.
Even the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest Christians to ever live, drew strength from seeing the people of God.
Acts 28
· 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
· 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
The child of God can live in victory because of…
IV. The Assistance of His Power
Last but definitely not least, we as Christians can live in victory because God has promised to help us.
Some of the greatest promises to the believer are found in Romans 8.
Romans 8
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are not in this alone.
We are not fighting these battles all by ourselves.
We have the God of Heaven by our side, helping us live in victory.
TURN TO Hebrews 1
· 8 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.
· 9 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.
· 10 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.
· 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
· 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
· 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
· 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
· 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
· 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
· 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Succour: to help, succour, bring aid
Conclusion: Regardless of the outcome of this election on Tuesday, you and I have more than we need to LIVE IN VICTORY!!
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