In Christ Alone (Part 4) Series

In Christ Alone (Part IV)

Galatians 2:17-21

Listen online @ Facebook.com/stockdalebaptist

In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” But Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter it.” Finally after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession. (Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 30).

In our text Paul states that he had been “crucified with Christ”. No longer did Paul live, but Christ lived in him. He also explained the process of the victory that he possessed - “the life which I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. - Jesus didn’t just come to deliver us from sin and Satan; He came in order for us to have an abundant victorious life - John 10:10 … I am come that {you} might have life, and have it more abundantly.

Heaven is a wonderful place, but you don’t have to wait until you get there to experience victory!! Jesus has secured the victory and you can experience it here and now!! When we come to a place where we surrender to Christ and allow Him to take full possession of our lives THEN we will experience a victorious life that we never could have imagined!

For the past 3 weeks we have been examining several of the benefits that we are available “In Christ Alone” We have seen that:

i. We Are Justified In Christ Alone

ii. We Are Accepted In Christ Alone

iii. We Are Free In Christ Alone

Today I would like to conclude this sermon by examining that:

iv. We Are Victorious In Christ Alone

There are times that we must realize and admit that there are some things that we can’t accomplish on our own.

> Richard Childress began racing in the early 70’s. He was an average driver with 76 top ten finishes and 6 top fives. But his best career finish was 3rd place. Though he gave it all he had he never experienced that 1st place victory that every driver longs for. In 1981 he retired from driving and took on the role of team owner. He eventually hired driver Dale Earnhardt and over the next 20 years, the combination won over 70 races and 6 NASCAR Championships. Because of this alliance, Earnhardt supplied Childress with the success and victories that he had long worked for yet couldn’t attain on his own.

- Friend, there are some things that you will never accomplish on your own! And in order to experience victory you must let Christ do what you can’t!! There are some people today who are seeking to attain peace, joy and happiness and continuously fail! There are many who are working hard to achieve victory over sin, and they will never achieve that victory on their own. There are some who are trying to fight Satan, and they are perpetually defeated! Many are trying to get to Heaven based upon the way they live their lives! Friend, you will never experience victory based on your works. But because of Christ’s finished work you can experience victory IF (and only if) you TRUST in HIM! - I would like to rejoin The Apostle Paul as he continues to address the believers at Galatia and examine the fact that:

I. WE ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST ALONE - v20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

As Christians, we should desire to be in the center of the Father’s will. This verse tells us how that is possible. We can walk like Jesus each and every day! And the way for us to walk like Jesus is to allow Him to live in and through us! And when we fully surrender to His will then we can experience VICTORY! Notice:

A. We Have Victory Because Of Christ’s Power - v20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: