“Always Triumphant”
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul sometimes set the churches straight on doctrine; rebuked them for condoning evil; and in this text (as in many others) encouraged the Saints. Let us take a look at what this Scripture text tells us...
I. The Christian Life Is One Of Conflict.
A. “Triumph” suggests a battle.
B. Christians are in a spiritual conflict from conversion to death.
C. Paul makes this quite clear in Scripture.
Ephes. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim. 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
II. It Is Also A Triumphant Life.
(Text) The Lord “causeth us to triumph”...
A. Ours is not a defeatist life.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
1. A winning boxer is a conqueror; his wife is “more than” a conqueror!
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 Cor. 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth (is always giving) us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Job 17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
III. Our Victory Is Not Spasmodic But Continuous.
A. The Lord “always” causes us to triumph. Every time in every battle!
B. We are not “up” today, and “down” tomorrow.
2 Cor. 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
C. David fought the bear; then the lion; then the giant (Goliath).
1. God is always giving us the victory when our trust is in Him alone.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh (“continually” is implied) the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
IV. Our Battles Are Not Won By Our Own Strength.
A. Our “God....causeth” us to triumph.
B. We are no match for our spiritual foes in our own strength.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
C. However, we are given powerful promises of victory.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
2 Cor. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
D. Examples from Scripture:
1. Daniel in the lions den; “My God hath sent His angel.....”.
2. Three Hebrews - “...our God shall deliver us out of thine hand...”.
Zech. 4:6 ...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
V. There Is A Place Of Safety And Refuge For The Believer.
A. We triumph “in Christ” when battles rage.
B. We overcome because of our position in Christ Jesus.
Col. 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Song 4:12 A garden inclosed (Heb.= barred) is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
VI. The Reason For Our Continuous Victory Is To Reveal Jesus Christ.
A. The reason for our continual victory is not to show our strength or power, but to make “manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
1. Savour = Fragrance (evidence).
(ICB) “God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.”
2. We are to carry the Gospel in victory to all people.
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Cor. 4:7 [Living] But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us --is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.
VII. Thanksgiving Is Due The Lord For His Help.
A. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,...”
B. We must be ready to give thanks to the Lord at all times for His mercy and help.
Ephes. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Conclusion:
In the Christian life, there are many battles. But, there is no cause for defeat because
Christ has provided everything we need for the continual victory!!
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 [Living] What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?
