AVOIDING DEFEAT
I John 5:4-5
The song “Victory In Jesus” is a powerful story of how a Savior comes to rescue His people from failure and give them victory. Too many Christians today feel chained to their religion, they feel defeated. And we have no right to feel that way.
Christians should lead a victorious life, not a defeated one. The defeated life is for the sinner. No matter how much success a person experiences if he is not saved he has no victory because he is still on the losing team.
Let’s take a look at living the victorious Christian life.
I. SALVATION FROM SIN
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
A. We have a Saviour who has defeated the power of Satan. When He becomes our Savior that is our first victory.
B. Spirit will defeat the Deception of Sin. So many today are deceived by Satan.
C. Scriptures will defeat all Doubt. When we doubt we should remember the passage from Matthew 4:4. It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
II. SINCERITY IN SERVICE
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
A. Truthful. Can’t serve two masters. Eph. 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
B. Trustful. Trust His direction and guidance. Job 13: 15-16 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
C. Total Commitment. We must be totally sold out. Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
III. STEADFAST IN SUFFERING
A. Stand firm when persecution arises.
B. Stand firm through pain and suffering and sickness.
C. Stand firm through slanders and smears.
Keep your faith strong and God will fight the battles for you.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Exodus 14:13 Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day:
IV. SUBDUE YOUR SHORTCOMINGS
A. Turn fear into Trust
B. Weakness into Strength
C. Faults into Talents
V. STRENGTH FOR SERVICE
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
A. Promises available.
B. Power Abundant – power is available but some do not use it, or know how to get it. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
C. Performance acceptable. We cannot go into an endeavor for Christ and do it half way. We must put all our effort into it.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED. NOW FOR THE TWO (2) THINGS WE NEED TO GET RID OF.
I. SHALLOWNESS IN SEPERATION
II Cor. 6: 17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
A. Must be convicted over sinful practices.
B. Concern for Spiritual Problems. Don’t tear down a brother.
II. SHAMEFUL SPEAKING
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
A. Language above reproach.
B. Life above reproof.
Are you defeated? Shouldn’t be. We have an opportunity to be victorious for God, let’s do it!
