Satan Can't Win Unless You Quit - Part 1 Series

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Satan Can’t Win – Unless you quit part #1

Quitters never win – winners never quit

John 17

Ric:

Over the next 2 or 3 weeks we are going to deal with the topic of giving up

If there is one factor that prevents people from achieving goals, or even being blessed –

It’s the fact that they quit, or give-up, instead of forging ahead, persevering and making it

It is a rarity that someone has lived for more than a few minutes without thoughts of quitting every time there is a hardship or difficulty.

Christy

I suppose all of us at some time or another get depressed, or want to give up and quit.

In the heat of a moment we’ll say, "I’ll just leave this job, on school, students, or this family.

Several times this week I was asked how long I had been married.

When I told them 34 years this month they were amazed, one man said, “to one man, consecutively?”

It was like we had performed some kind of marvel.

Now people, do you think we have made it to 34 years because I am such a pleasure to live with, or that he is?

Yes, one reason that I married him is because he could make me laugh.

But guess what sometimes things are just not that funny.

Beach., floor of ocean gave way

We would like to share with you principles that have sustained us in the ministry for over 30 years.

Ric:

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1] Principle # 1 – Everything we do must bring glory to God

Let’s look at John 17:1

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John 17:1 (NLT) After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

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John 17:2 (NLT) For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.

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John 17:3 (NLT) And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

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John 17:4 (NLT) I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Note verse 4: I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Christy:

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John 17:1 (TMSG) Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of your Son. So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.

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John 17:2 (TMSG) You put him in charge of everything human. So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.

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John 17:3 (TMSG) And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent

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John 17:4 (TMSG) I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do.

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John 17:5 (TMSG) And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, The very splendor I had in your presence Before there was a world.

Christy:

The part in that scripture that says “completing what you called me to do, down to the very last detail”

That is our clue, in times when we are contemplating quitting, Jesus, He is our example, these words are Jesus’ final words before he went to the cross.

When I want to quit, all I need to do is remember that no one is beating me, no one is spitting on me, no one is hanging me on a cross.

Jesus could have given up on the way to the cross

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John 12:27

Jesus said now is my heart troubled, father glorify your name

That is the motive that took Jesus to the cross

What will my motive be when my heart is troubled.

Will my quitting bring God glory?

God has a plan and purpose for each of us.

A good plan, and usually the more we feel like quitting the closer we are to a major part of that plan coming together

We have examples from the Bible

Moses wanted God to just kill him.

Job wished he had never been born

Elijah, after having called fire down from heaven, got so depressed he said to God, just take my life away.

Jonah after seeing all those people saved in Nimivah, he said, “just kill me God.”

I Cor. 2:3 Paul says of that time in Acts: “I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling” (could be translated: “I was far from strong, nervous, and rather shaky!”

But God came to Him and told him

2Cor. 12:9 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.