OUR ROAD TO VICTORY IN CHRIST
Christ’s Victory March
Ephesians 4:7-16
INTRODUCTION: I vaguely remember a story once told by Dr. John Maxwell about a man who sold papers at a sports stadium. I am not even sure what sport was being played that day. I think it was baseball. Anyway, What was so amazing about this man was that EVERY time he sold all of the papers he was carrying, before he would go for more, he would “run a victory lap around the stadium. Maxwell picked up on this when he happened to purchase the last paper of the stack this guy was selling. John bought the paper, and the fellow did his lap. This activity seemed to produce more interest than the game on the field below. Not only did Maxwell, buy a paper, he then bought the whole next stack to see this guy run the victory lap. Then, the whole section got involved. Ultimately EVERYONE in the section had a paper, and this guy had run multiple victory laps. This had to be one of his most interesting and productive days!
The Scripture records a victory march for Jesus also – we call it the resurrection. And Scripture records this about it.
I THE VICTORY MARCH STARTED
Scripture declares that the start of Christ’s Victory March begins before us.
A Christ’s March began before the foundation of the World!
Rev. 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
B Christ’s Victory March began in the very mind of God
Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
C Christ’s Victory March began with a birth
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
D Christ’s Victory March began apart from our ignorance
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
II THE VICTORY MARCH PROGRESSED
Ephes. 4:7-10 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."
9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
in these few verses and those that follow, and even a few from elsewhere in Scripture we find a comprehensive account of the Road To Victory that Jesus successfully traveled.
A Where Christ’s Victory March Led
1 It led here to earth – Christ Descended
a In order for Christ to have the victory over sin that He had He had to come here!
1) New Situation
2) New Environment
3) New Exposure
2 It led to the Cross
Mark 10:33-34 "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."
3 It led to the grave – lower, earthly regions
III WHERE THE VICTORY MARCH ENDED
Ephes. 4:8-10
This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."
9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Ephes. 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
A Christ’s Victory March ended in Glory
B Christ Victory March ended in Victory
1 He leads us as the first resurrected from the dead
2 He leads the devil as a fallen and defeated foe
Poem of Resurrection
By - Elwood McQuaid
(In style of old-fashioned black preacher
Father time met pale King Death, a sittin’ by a tomb.
"Hello old friend, I guess you’re here to steal somebody’s doom
"You might say that," sly death replied, a smile slid up his face
Inside repose that Jesus man, who said He’d save the race.
And you old Time, why you stopin’ here?
Don’t you have things to do?
Aww, yeah, I come each day to draw the vale
and let the morning through.
Say, why you watchin’ just one grave, with all your vast domain?
Looks like you’d be out ramblin’ around and smitin’ folks with pain.
Welll, this one’s something special,
He challenged me they say!
Why, said he’d rest here just three days,
and stir and walk away.
Now, I’m the conqueror you know --- nobody talks up to me!!!
When I steps in and cuts ’em down
It’s for sure for eternity.
I sure can testify of that, responded Father Time,
I ain’t seen one shale off the dust,
Since you’ve been in your prime.
Well, I got other things to do, I must be on my way,
I’ll see you when I come back by to make another day.
So old whiskered time went up the hill,
to bid the sun to rise.
And left pale Death standing by the tomb,
looking strong and wise.
Next day Time ambled by again,
"And how are thing" he queried?
Kinda quiet, death replied
I’m startin’ to feel a little wearied.
I won’t be here when you come by,
about this time tomorrow!
I’m anxious to be on my way to spread some grief and sorrow.
Now Father Time was quite surprised,
when he came back to see!
Death was quivering on the ground in frightful agony!
And his eyes were set , his face was marked,
His clothes in disarray!
It wasn’t really difficult to see
that death had his day.
What happened Death, asked Father Time,
What makes you look so bad???
I’ve never seen you shakin’ this way,
seemin’ so scared and sad!!
Death pulled himself upon a rock,
A lookin’ sick and humble.
Hung his head, and wrung his hands,
Time listened, as he began to mumble.
I was just sittin’ there before the dawn,
about to take my stroll.
When at all once this whole wide world began to reel and roll.
That rollin’ stone jumped off the door,
and skipped on down the hill.
Then everything grew quiet and dark,
Just seemed like the earth stood still.
I saw him standin’ in the door,
He didn’t move or speak.
Just looked at me and all once,
I felt so tired and weak!!!!
He came and got ahold of me, and threw me to the ground.
Put his foot here on my neck---
THEN HE TOOK MY KEYS AND CROWN!!!!
Two angels came and talked with Him,
They glistened like the sun.
He said the plans all finished now---
REDEMPTIONS WORK IS DONE!!!
And as they passed the garden gate,
I heard him say just then ---
HE’S GONNA SET MY CAPTIVES FREE
AND START GIVEN’ GIFTS TO MEN!!!
Time and Death met once again,
Off yonder beside the gate
It’s good to see ya, said old Time
I’ve often wondered bout your fate.
Aw I’m just a lonely servant now,
There’s little time to roam.
I just open up this here old gate,
AND HELP THE SAINTS GET HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHRIST’S VICTORY MARCH CAN BE YOUR VICTORY MARCH TOO!
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
1 Cor. 6:14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
Philip. 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
