We Have Victory In Christ! Series

Get your walk right!

July 14, 2019

1 Corinthians 15:57-58, Romans 8:1, 5

1. We fight from victory; not for victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:1

2. Be immovable in 2019. 1 Cor. 15:58

3. Give your best to Kingdom work. 1 Cor. 15:58, Romans 8:5

Key words: victory, work, firm, kingdom

Key verse: ‘there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...’ -Romans 8:1a

Open: Burn the Ships

BURN THE SHIPS

Burn The Ship was born from an idea that originated in 1519. That year, Hernán Cortés set sail to Veracruz, Mexico with his crew. Upon arrival, Cortés' men became weary and scared, with hopes of turning back home to their old life. 

As legend has it, Cortez had the men burn their ships, leaving no option but to press on! Their ability to retreat to their previous way of life was gone; their safety net had been removed.

The burning of those ships represented much more than a separation from old ways. The same fire that set the ships ablaze also allowed Cortés men to complete their mission and be a part of something greater than themselves.

Burning our ships means there is no turning back to old habits and ways. In this world we wrestle with all kinds of different physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual battles. To allow great change in our lives, we must find the root of those struggles - our own ships that can be so tempting to sail back on - and burn them.

1. We fight from victory; not for victory.

1 Cor. 15:57, Rom. 8:1,

Phil. 1:6, ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’

1 John 5:4-‘For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.’

‘I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.’ -Phil. 4:13

‘Little children you are from God and have overcome them. for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’1 John 4:4

-Warren Wiersbe quote, ‘Outlook determines outcome.’

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that nothing can ever change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated, but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.”

-Identity quote from Tullian Tchividjian

“Your identity is firmly anchored in Christ’s accomplishment, not yours; his strength, not yours; his performance, not yours; his victory, not yours.”

-R.C. Sproul quote on victory

“By his life, death and resurrection, our Savior has conquered our enemies and by His Spirit he has granted us to share in the victory.”

All these authors are saying this - ‘The Victory is won!’ Christ did it. It is finished.

-You don’t have to get on a Cross. Jesus did that.

-You don’t have to live perfectly. Jesus did that.

-You just have to believe it. The victory is yours. Fight from it; not for it.

2. Be immovable for 2019. 1 Cor. 15:58

‘I’m not backing down, stepping back, shutting up or sitting down!’ I’m here to stay; set for God’s good plan for us.

This is the message Paul has in 1 Corinthians 15:58. Be firm. Steadfast. Believe and don’t back down.

In 2019, what will change for you? Have you set new goals? Have a stronger drive to achieve something? Wanting to renew your walk with Christ? Or should I say ‘be a force’ for the kingdom!

God is looking for committed followers. Not casual, carnal Christians.

Where are you in your walk? It’s put up time. We live in a day when the stakes are high, spiritually.

There are hurting people in sad situations. They need Christians love them and point them to Jesus.

You gotta know who you believe in. Stand firm in it. And stand up for our Lord.

Illustration of Immovable:

Do you know what it means to sacrifice? Read this statement by a young African pastor.

Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his Christian faith. It is the moving testimony of a martyr.

     I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

     My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

     I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.