Christ's Victory March Series

OUR ROAD TO VICTORY IN CHRIST

Christ’s Victory March

Ephesians 4:7-16

INTRODUCTION: I vaguely remember a story once told by Dr. John Maxwell about a man who sold papers at a sports stadium. I am not even sure what sport was being played that day. I think it was baseball. Anyway, What was so amazing about this man was that EVERY time he sold all of the papers he was carrying, before he would go for more, he would “run a victory lap around the stadium. Maxwell picked up on this when he happened to purchase the last paper of the stack this guy was selling. John bought the paper, and the fellow did his lap. This activity seemed to produce more interest than the game on the field below. Not only did Maxwell, buy a paper, he then bought the whole next stack to see this guy run the victory lap. Then, the whole section got involved. Ultimately EVERYONE in the section had a paper, and this guy had run multiple victory laps. This had to be one of his most interesting and productive days!

The Scripture records a victory march for Jesus also – we call it the resurrection. And Scripture records this about it.

I THE VICTORY MARCH STARTED

Scripture declares that the start of Christ’s Victory March begins before us.

A Christ’s March began before the foundation of the World!

Rev. 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

B Christ’s Victory March began in the very mind of God

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

C Christ’s Victory March began with a birth

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

D Christ’s Victory March began apart from our ignorance

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

II THE VICTORY MARCH PROGRESSED

Ephes. 4:7-10 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:

"When he ascended on high,

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men."

9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

in these few verses and those that follow, and even a few from elsewhere in Scripture we find a comprehensive account of the Road To Victory that Jesus successfully traveled.

A Where Christ’s Victory March Led

1 It led here to earth – Christ Descended

a In order for Christ to have the victory over sin that He had He had to come here!

1) New Situation

2) New Environment

3) New Exposure

2 It led to the Cross

Mark 10:33-34 "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."

3 It led to the grave – lower, earthly regions

III WHERE THE VICTORY MARCH ENDED

Ephes. 4:8-10

This is why it says:

"When he ascended on high,

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men."

9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

Ephes. 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

A Christ’s Victory March ended in Glory

B Christ Victory March ended in Victory

1 He leads us as the first resurrected from the dead

2 He leads the devil as a fallen and defeated foe

Poem of Resurrection

By - Elwood McQuaid

(In style of old-fashioned black preacher

Father time met pale King Death, a sittin’ by a tomb.

"Hello old friend, I guess you’re here to steal somebody’s doom

"You might say that," sly death replied, a smile slid up his face

Inside repose that Jesus man, who said He’d save the race.

And you old Time, why you stopin’ here?