Overcome Series

Get Back Up: Overcome life with Joy in Adversity

John 16: 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." 29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God." 31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

God wants to not only whisper in our ear today, but shout into our hearts…

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ… you have overcome.

If the Spirit of God dwells in you… you have overcome.

If you are looking for direction from God… you will overcome!

Don’t live in defeat… breathe in the things of God… have victory in life, even in hardship.

Living with the knowledge that Jesus has overcome…

So this brings us to the question: How do we live as people who have overcome?

Breathe in Life… exhale ministry!

Breathe in life – His word, Prayer, Personal Disciplines, Surrender, find purpose, walk with God… by overcoming hardship/problems, by

How do we cope with reality in such a way not only to survive but live in victory? How are we overcomers?! How do we win every battle?

1. Remember God’s won the war (God Has Won the War!)

2. Be Led by the Holy Spirit:

a. (You Fight the Battles) You fight the battles… but It’s not our strength… Learn to follow Him

b. As long as God is with us… even from the flat of our back we can turn to Him.

3. Never Give Up!

Remember God’s won the war (God Has Won the War!)

John 16: 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This the moment of perspective… insight into the rest of your life.

This is essential for being encouraged… keeping perspective, and loving life!

IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE…

BUT REMEMBER… take heart… JESUS HAS OVERCOME…

• Bad things are going to happen to good people… take heart Jesus has overcome.

• Things are not always going to be perfect… take heart Jesus has overcome.

• The world may get worse… take heart Jesus has overcome.

• You will, not may, have hardship and trouble… take heart Jesus has overcome.

• Not everything works out like you think it should… take heart Jesus has overcome.

In life we have either put our full trust in God and really do believe… SIMPLY BELIEVE…

Or we hold control… and take it in our hands… worrying, forcing life, and then blaming God and others when it doesn’t work out.

Reality Check: YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE… take heart Jesus has overcome.

BUT, this only works if you are walking with God… if you are out of bounds, living in sin, not partnering with God in life… trouble is coming… and won’t have anything to hold on too… THAT’S REALITY.

I think we have a misconception in the church… we think God is only present if everything works out. if everyone remains healthy… and if illnesses are healed.

Reality is that trouble will come… and yes Jesus has overcome, but that is so that we might have strength to walk through hard situations well… because God gives us strength to do so…

A young child was diagnosed with a terminal disease. The parents knew that he would die soon. The child as well knew that his death would be soon. One night he was sitting in his mother’s lap watching television with her. He looked up into her eyes and said, “Mommy does it hurt to die?” The young mother was overcome with grief and had to leave the room for a moment to gather her emotions. She stood in the bathroom and prayed, “God what can I tell him?” She felt that the Lord gave her a word for him. She went back into the room and said, “Honey do you remember how so many times you have fallen asleep in front of the television and then the next morning you wake up in your room? Well I will tell you what happens. When you go to sleep your father comes in and with his strong arms he picks you up and carries you into your room. And then the next thing you know you wake up in your room. Well death is just like that. When you die, you fall asleep and Jesus Christ gathers you up in His strong arms and carries you to heaven. And then you wake up in another room!”