"Enforcing the Victory, Part 1: The Significance of the Cross"
Introduction to the Series:
A Tale of Two Victories
Sun Tzu, the renowned Chinese military strategist, once taught his troops the art of enforcing victory. "A victory," he said, "is not merely the winning of a battle, but the securing of its fruits. A general must not only defeat his enemy but also ensure that he cannot rise again. He must occupy the enemy's territory, dismantle his defenses, and sow discord among his ranks."
Sun Tzu’s words resonate with the eternal battle between light and darkness, between good and evil. In the greatest battle ever fought, Jesus Christ, the ultimate commander, delivered a decisive blow to sin and death on the cross. His victory was not just a temporary triumph but an eternal defeat of the forces of darkness.
However, unlike a traditional military leader, Jesus didn’t leave His followers to fend for themselves against a still-dangerous enemy. Instead, He gave them a battle plan—a strategy for continuing the spiritual warfare until He returns. Just as Sun Tzu advised his troops, Jesus commanded His Church to:
Occupy the enemy's territory: Spread the Gospel to all nations, bringing the good news of salvation to a lost and broken world.
Dismantle the enemy's defenses: Expose the lies of Satan, break the chains of sin, and set captives free through the truth.
Sow discord among the enemy's ranks: Divide the forces of darkness by turning hearts away from sin and toward the light of Christ.
Like skilled generals in a spiritual battle, we, the Church, are called to enforce the victory of Christ. We are to secure the spiritual territory He has won, dismantle the strongholds of sin, and proclaim His Kingdom until He returns.
As we launch into this new series, "Enforcing the Victory," let us take up our roles with courage and determination, knowing that the victory has already been won. Our task is to enforce it in every area of our lives and our world. Let’s fight the good fight, confident that, in the end, victory is ours through Christ Jesus.
Here's what we will cover in the coming weeks:
Part 1: The Significance of the Cross – Today, we will explore the cross as the ultimate battleground where Jesus won the decisive victory over sin, death, and Satan. We will discuss what Jesus' declaration "It is finished" means and how it impacts our daily lives.
Part 2: The Finality of the Victory – Next week, we will examine the completeness and sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and what it means to live in the assurance of a finished work.
Part 3: The Power of the Resurrection – In week three, we will focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate proof of His victory, and explore how the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.
Part 4: Living as More Than Conquerors – Finally, we will learn what it means to live as “more than conquerors” through Christ, fully equipped to enforce His victory in every aspect of life.
Today, as we begin with Part 1: The Significance of the Cross, I want to take us back to the very foundation of our faith—the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross is where the greatest battle was fought and won, and it is the place where our journey of enforcing Christ's victory begins.
I. The Cross: The Ultimate Battleground
Scripture: Isaiah 53:5, John 19:30, Colossians 2:13-15
The cross is more than a symbol; it is the ultimate battleground where the forces of good and evil collided, and Jesus, the Son of God, achieved the greatest victory in history. It was on the cross that Jesus dealt a decisive blow to Satan, sin, and death. Let’s unpack this victory and understand its significance.
The Power of Substitution:
Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed.”
Jesus' death on the cross was a substitutionary sacrifice. He took our place, bore the punishment that we deserved, and provided a way for us to be reconciled to God.
This act of substitution was not just about paying for our sins; it was about breaking the power of sin itself. Jesus’ blood was shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to give us a new identity as children of God.
The Defeat of Satan’s Power:
Colossians 2:13-15 tells us, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
On the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities—He stripped Satan and his forces of their power over humanity. What seemed like a moment of defeat—Jesus’ crucifixion—was actually a moment of ultimate victory. Jesus took away the enemy’s legal right to accuse and condemn us, and He exposed the devil’s defeat to all.
This was a public victory. In the spiritual realm, the cross was a triumphal procession, where Jesus led captivity captive. The forces of darkness were put on display as defeated foes.
“It Is Finished”—The Ultimate Declaration of Victory:
In John 19:30, Jesus uttered three powerful words before He breathed His last: “It is finished.” In Greek, this phrase is a single word: “tetelestai,” meaning “paid in full.”
This was not a cry of resignation but a proclamation of victory. Jesus declared that His mission to redeem humanity, defeat sin, and destroy the works of the devil was complete. The debt of sin had been paid in full, and nothing more was needed. The victory was total, comprehensive, and eternal.
II. The Importance of Enforcing Victory Throughout History
Throughout history, we see the importance of enforcing victory after a decisive battle has been won. A victory in battle doesn't automatically mean the war is over. There must be an active enforcement of the victory to secure peace and order.
Historical Examples of Enforcing Victory:
Post-War Occupation: After World War II, the Allied forces didn’t just declare victory and leave. They stayed to enforce the terms of peace, to rebuild nations, and to ensure that the defeated forces did not regain power.
Law Enforcement: Even after laws are established, there are police and sheriffs to enforce them. Their role is to ensure that what has been established by law is maintained in practice. Similarly, we as believers are called to enforce the spiritual laws established by Christ's victory on the cross.
Our Role as Enforcers of Christ’s Victory:
Just like soldiers or sheriffs, we are called to enforce the victory that Jesus has won. We do this by living out the reality of that victory in our daily lives—overcoming sin, resisting the devil, and walking in righteousness.
The church is the enforcement arm of the Kingdom of God on earth. We are not passive recipients of grace but active participants in God’s plan to bring His Kingdom to earth. We are called to enforce the victory of the cross in every sphere of life, including our families, communities, workplaces, and societies.
III. How the Cross Impacts Our Daily Lives
Now, let’s bring this home. How does the victory that Jesus won on the cross impact our everyday lives?
Freedom from Guilt and Shame:
Because Jesus has paid the price for our sins, we no longer have to live under the burden of guilt or the shadow of shame. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Every day, we can wake up knowing that we are fully forgiven, fully accepted, and fully loved by God. The cross has removed the barrier between us and God, allowing us to live in a continuous relationship with Him, free from condemnation.
Victory Over Sin and Temptation:
The cross has broken the power of sin. Romans 6:14 tells us, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
This means that we are no longer slaves to our old sinful habits or addictions. We have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. Every day, we can enforce Jesus’ victory by choosing to live according to God’s Word and by relying on His strength to overcome temptation.
Authority Over the Enemy:
Because of the cross, we have been given authority over the enemy. Luke 10:19 says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
In our daily lives, we can enforce this victory by standing firm against the schemes of the devil. We can resist his lies, his accusations, and his temptations by declaring the truth of God’s Word and by standing in the authority that Jesus has given us.
A New Identity and Purpose:
The cross has given us a new identity. We are no longer defined by our past mistakes, failures, or sins. We are now children of God, co-heirs with Christ, and ambassadors of His Kingdom.
Every day, we can wake up with a sense of purpose, knowing that we are part of God’s plan to bring His Kingdom to earth. We are called to be His representatives, to share His love, to live out His truth, and to enforce His victory in every area of our lives.
Conclusion: Embracing Our Role as Kingdom Enforcers
As we begin this new series, let us remember that Jesus’ victory on the cross is complete, but our role in enforcing that victory is ongoing. We are not passive observers but active participants in God's Kingdom. We are called to be the sheriffs and soldiers of His Kingdom, enforcing His victory in every area of our lives and in every sphere of society.
Today, I challenge you to reflect on the significance of the cross and what it means for you personally. Are there areas in your life where you are not living in the freedom and authority that Jesus has given you? Are there places where you need to enforce His victory more fully?
Let us commit to embracing our role as enforcers of His Kingdom. Let us stand firm in the victory that Jesus has won, living each day as victorious children of God, free from guilt and shame, empowered to overcome sin, and walking in the authority that He has given us.
Let’s pray together, asking God to help us understand the significance of the cross more deeply and to empower us to live in the fullness of the victory that Jesus has already won.
