Living In Victory Series

Living in Victory

Sermon By Keith J. Andrews

All scripture marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001.Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

July 4, is the day of celebration for Americans. Is special to us because we won our independence from Great Britain. We look at this day as a time when America was victorious.

July 4 comes as a comfort to us. Many times in our world, we feel defeated. It is good to celebrate a victory once and a while.

Day to day we live our lives through one battle after another.

And what about you?

Your marriage may be on the brink of failing.

Your Children may be growing more and more uncontrollable.

In this economic recession we are in, you may be worried about how your family is doing in the States.

You may be worried about your safety, worried about your work situation, or lonely.

We find that we can be beat up on a daily basis by this evil world. And it is evil, the problems we see are the effects of a sinful people.

Not only do we feel beat up, but we feel defeated.

But what does the Bible say about being defeated?

Turn with me this morning to I John 5:1-4:

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 Jn 5:1-4, ESV)

We are all looking for ways to have victory in our lives.

The Bible says “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (Jn 5:4, ESV)

What does this victory mean?

1 John 5 shows us three ways you can have victory.

First, you can have victory through

1. Salvation

Look with me in verse 12:

12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.(1 Jn 5:12, ESV)

The Bible says whoever has God’s son has life.

Do you realize the significance of that statement?

Whoever has God’s son—has life.

That means that when you accept Christ, death has been conquered. Death is no longer a threat.

This sinful world can send everything it can at you, but death has already been conquered.

It was conquered when Jesus died on the cross, in your place. Jesus paid the price for you, if you accept it.

From the moment that you accept Christ, you are on an eternal timetable.

Do you know for certain that you have eternal life when you die? You can know that. You can know that by asking Jesus into your life.

And you can be victorious over death.

What does that mean for you? It means that there should be nothing to stop you from sharing Christ.

One thing this world hates, and that is a Christian on fire for God.

When sin comes in contact with the godly man or woman, it has two choices: to run or attack.

But you are victorious through your salvation.

As I read this passage, I thought about the martyrs that have died in the name of Christ.

They have died in the past, and they continued to die to this day in countries like Indonesia, Sudan, Pakistan and many others that I hear rumors about nearly once a month.

Why are these Martyrs ready to die?

Because they have victory over death. Through salvation they know that their eternity is paid for and they no longer need to worry.

When they accepted Christ the decision was made.

They decided to leave their life and become a Christian.

And more important for us to remember, is that the salvation that we have in Christ is no different, than the salvation that they have.

In America, we have so many opportunities to become a Christian.

And when many become Christians, it makes no difference in their life at all.

It should make a difference. Jesus makes a difference in all of our lives.

When we have conquered death, what fear do we have? We need to live for Christ, at all times, at all cost.

Once you have Victory over death. Your fear is taken away.

What do you have to fear? Once you realize that death is the worst thing that could happen to you, and that is no longer a threat, what do you have to fear?