To understand and embrace the victory that God has given us over sin and death through Jesus Christ, and to live as victorious followers of Christ by overcoming our fears, doubts, and struggles.
Good morning, family. Today we're going to talk about victory – not the kind you win on the football field or in a political race – but the victory that God gives us over sin and death. We're going to talk about how to claim that victory, how to fight for it, and how God gives it as a gift to us.
To get us started, I want to share a quote from Oswald Chambers, who said, "The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else." This quote is relevant to our discussion today because it speaks to the source of our victory - our reverence and trust in God.
Let's read from 1 Corinthians 15:57. It says,
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
This is the victory we are going to delve into today.
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Lord, we thank you for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ. As we unpack your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts to fully understand and embrace this victory. Help us to overcome our fears, doubts, and struggles, and to claim the victory you have already won for us on the cross. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now let's dive into what it means to live as victorious followers of Christ.
Claiming victory is a declaration of faith, a proclamation of the power of God in our lives, and a testament to the transformative work of Jesus Christ. It is not a victory that we achieve through our own strength or abilities, but it is a victory that is given to us freely by God through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.
What does victory mean?: We are not talking about a physical or worldly victory. We are not talking about winning a competition or achieving a goal. Instead, we are talking about a spiritual victory – a victory over sin, over death, and over the powers of darkness that seek to separate us from the love of God. This victory is not something that we can earn or achieve on our own. It is a gift from God, given to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Acknowledging and accepting this gift from God: It means recognizing that we are not capable of overcoming sin and death on our own, but that through Christ, we have already been given the victory. It means living in the reality of this victory, even when we face trials and tribulations. It means standing firm in our faith, knowing that no matter what we face, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
Living in a way that reflects this victory: It means living a life of faith, trusting in God's promises and His power. It means living a life of love, showing the same love to others that Christ has shown to us. It means living a life of obedience, following God's commandments and striving to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Not always easy: It requires faith, trust, and perseverance. It requires us to let go of our own desires and plans and to surrender our lives to God. It requires us to trust in God's promises, even when we cannot see the fulfillment of those promises. It requires us to stand firm in our faith, even when we face opposition or persecution.
The rewards are immeasurable: When we claim victory, we experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing that we are loved and accepted by God. We experience the freedom that comes from knowing that our sins have been forgiven and that we have been set free from the power of sin and death. We experience the hope that comes from knowing that we have a future and a hope in Christ.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about when you first acknowledged that Jesus was the way and our victory over sin. How did this change your life?
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