Sermon for 3/23/2008 Easter
Victory
Introduction:
A. Veteran newsman Howard Smith tells a wonderful remark from Winston Churchill the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. After the fall of France to the Nazis in May, 1940, until December 1941, Great Britain basically fought the war against Germany alone. President Roosevelt did what he could to help the British, but too many voices in America called on him to keep out of “another of Europe’s wars.” In London, when Winston Churchill received news of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, he knew exactly how this nation would respond. He is said to have uttered, “So- we have won!”
B. I can imagine that when the Lord Jesus went to the cross and His disciples scattered, when the nails were driven in and the forces of hell were cackling with glee, when the Savior breathed his last and it looked like all His work had come to naught, an angel in heaven turned to another and said, “So- we have won.”
C. Read Matthew 28:1-8
WBTU:
A. This victory is just not for Jesus Christ but for all of his followers. He declares that the victory has been won and He grants that victory to us.
B. Read 1 Corinthians 15:51- 57
C. We can live a victorious life through Jesus Christ!
Thesis: This morning let’s talk specifically about the areas of life where we can have the victory.
For instances:
I. Victory over sin and evil habits.
A. Jesus Christ breaks the power of sin in our lives. Without Jesus Christ, we have no choice but to do what comes naturally. What comes naturally? (Titus 3:3 NIV) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
B. But Christ has saved us from all of that because we have the Spirit of Christ. (Titus 3:4 NIV) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,(Titus 3:5 NIV) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,(Titus 3:6 NIV) whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
A. Those who have accepted Jesus as Savior soon find that loyalty to Him brings trouble as the forces of hell work day and night to break down the allegiance to God’s Son. Our temptations multiply instead of diminish.
B. We can triumph over temptations if we turn to the Lord, since He knows our every weakness. (Heb 4:15 NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.
D. Jesus knows how to help us. There is always a way out. (1 Cor 10:13 NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
E. Nothing is so strong, no sin is so long standing and powerful, that it cannot be broken by Jesus Christ’s power!
F. It may take time and effort on our part, but through Jesus Christ it can be done! Might need someone to make us accountable because the urge to sin can make us rationalize and justify anything. (James 5:16 NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
G. Don’t let anyone tell us that we cannot change. (Mark 10:27 NIV) Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
II. Victory over fear
A. People are afraid of many things. We are only to fear one and that is God.
B. Those who trust in Jesus have nothing to fear. (Mat 28:9 NIV) Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.(Mat 28:10 NIV) Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
C. Because He lives I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He hold the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.
III. Victory over life’s trails and tragedies
A. Never has a burden been so heavy that He could not share it or lift it. (Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
(Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(Mat 11:30 NIV) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
B. (Heb 4:16 NIV) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
D. Sometimes the Lord directs His help slowly and gradually, and it may appear at first that He passes us by. The Lord will not pass us by as one hymn suggests. Be sure of this, our loving Father always chooses the right hour, the right place, the right way, to deliver.
E. And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit.” O victory in Jesus!
IV. Victory over doubts
A. Even the strongest believer is sometimes filled with questions, misgivings, uncertainties. Even Mother Teresa had them and so shall we.
B. Mother Teresa found this to be true as we shall if we practice it: the more we think on Jesus Christ, the more we study and apply the Scriptures, the more regularly we meet and fellowship with Christians, the more we serve others the way Christ has served us, the stronger our faith becomes.
C. Sometimes the why is too much for us. Why would Christ give his life to save a wretch like me? Why would Christ bother with one with such sins and shortcomings?
C. Sometimes our minds are too small to explain the mysteries of faith, mysteries that even angels cannot fully comprehend. This should not bother us. We are not God and so there are things that we will not understand.
E. (Mark 9:21) Jesus asked the boy’s father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered.(Mark 9:22) "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."(Mark 9:23) "’If you can’?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."(Mark 9:24) Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
V. Victory over opposition
A. Many claim that Christianity is on its way out. Even now some of us may be persecuted because of our faith. We may live in homes where the Church is ridiculed; work at places where His name is a curse word; daily we may suffer taunts because of our love for the Lord. Ours too will ultimately be the victory, if in difficult moments we look to Jesus for strength.
B. (1 Pet 3:9 NIV) Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
C. (1 Pet 3:15 NIV) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
VI. Victory over death
A. This is what 1 Corinthians 15 is talking about. Death has been most cruel. Had a funeral this weekend. Expected but still it is hard!
B. Because sin entered this world, death is a fact of life. Not part of God’s good creation, but it is a fact now! Death is the final and hardest opposition that we face! (1 Cor 15:26 NIV) The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
C. First death is the separation of the soul from the body. Second death is the separation of a person from God forever.
D. The first death will continue until the second coming of Jesus Christ. The second death will continue forever.
E. (Rev 2:11 NIV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
F. (Rev 1:17 NIV) "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.(Rev 1:18 NIV) I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Conclusion and invitation:
A. (1 Cor 15:57) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Go over chorus of # 353 Victory in Jesus- O Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever! He sought me and (bought) me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
