January 6, 2007 Summit AM

Created To Be Victorious

Introduction

A. Text – Rom.8:30-39

B. Bible is a book of winners – written to winners

            1. About winners - so all may become winners

            2. Reason - God doesn’t make junk – are special – made in His image

            3. God wants us to succeed – be victorious

                        a. Are more than conquerors!

                        b. Even the gates of hell can’t overpower His church

                        c. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world

C. Pray

 

I. God’s Expectations – That We Overcome All Obstacles

            A. Eph.4:11-16 – gave gifts

                        1. Not want us be children – tossed to & fro

                        2. Wants us to mature – make a difference in world

B. See Jesus’ comments to the churches – Rev.2&3 (challenge to Overcome)

                        a. Rev.2:7 – right to eat of the tree of life (symbolizes eternal life)

                                    1) Are an eternal being (created that way)

                                    2) Will spend eternity somewhere – paradise of hell

                                    3) Was a time you never existed – never be so again

                                    4) Involves quality not just quantity (paradise of God)

                        b. Rev.2:11 – not hurt by 2nd death

                                    1) Conscious eternal damnation in hell – Rev.20:14; 21:8

                                    2) All die once – but in Jesus never die again – Heb.9:27

                        c. Rev.2:17 – hidden manna & a white stone

                                    1) Hidden manna

                                                Jesus is the bread of life that came down – Jn.6:48-51

                                                Hidden = blessings & benefits of knowing Jesus

                                    2) White stone

                                                Athletic victor given white stone with name on it

                                                Courts gave white stone to those pronounced innocent

                        d. Rev.2:26 – authority over the nations

                                    1) Authority speaks of influence & control

                                    2) James 5:16 – prayers of righteous avails much (great influence)

                        e. Rev.3:5 – white garments; name not blotted out

                                    1) Festive garments signifying purity & holiness

                                    2) Name never blotted out – name confessed before His Father

                        f. Rev.3:12 – made a pillar in God’s Temple

                                    1) Pillar = supports within the structure

                                    2) Signify permanence & stability – place of prominence in it

                        g. Rev.3:21 – right to sit with Jesus on His throne

                                    1) Spiritually we Are seated with Jesus now – Eph.2:6

                                    2) In paradise we are in place of honor with Jesus

 

II. What’s Needed To Be A Victorious Church?

            A. Be strong in the Lord

                        1. Scriptures

Eph.6:10 – be strong in Lord & strength of His might

1 Tim.2:1 – be strong in the grace that is in Jesus

                        2. Illustration

                                    a. New Jersey wanted a bridge over mouth of river

                                    b. Was a hull of a wrecked ship in way – mired in mud

                                    c. Tried every mechanical device could to move it – couldn’t

                                    d. Young engineer suggest – use power of tides

                                                1) Barges at either end over hull

                                                2) Low tide – cables under hull – tighten

                                                3) As tide rose – ship moved a little

                                                4) Continued tighten etc – until freed

                                                5) What man unable do – power of nature could

                        3. God never intended we do things in own strength

                                    a. Sin – Rom.8:12-14 – by Spirit put to death misdeeds of body

                                    b. Temptation – 1 Cor.10:13 – way of escape provided

                                    c. Fruitfulness – Jn.15:5 – without Me do nothing

                                    d. Col.1:28-29 – everyone mature in Christ – His strength

                        4. Rev.12:10,11 – how overcame

                                    a. Blood of lamb – trusted what Jesus did

                                    b. Word of their testimony – refused to keep silent

                                    c. Not love life so much as to shrink from death – no fear of death

            B. Do everything we can to pass the gospel along to faithful teachers

                        1. Have been entrusted with an awesome gift – God’s word

                                    a. The gospel – good news

                                    b. Only hope mankind has for eternal life

                                    c. No other way to be saved except through Jesus

                        2. That message must be continuously told

                                    a. Personal responsibility – be teachers – Heb.5:11

                                                1) Make sure others know what we know

                                                2) Chucks class – responsibility to share knowledge

                                    b. Illustration – relay race (4 man tag team)

                                                1) 1st runner – strong start

                                                2) 2nd also did his share

                                                3) 3rd runner started good then stopped & sat down

                                                4) Reason – just didn’t feel life running anymore

                                    c. We have no right to quit – is Lord’s work

                                                1) Have to continue ourselves

                                                2) Also do everything we can to help others win

            C. Willingly endure hardships

                        1. Scripture

                                    Acts 14:22 – go through many hardships to enter kingdom

                                    1 Tim.2:3 – endure hardship as a good soldier

 

                        2. God not promise us a rose garden

                                    Personal struggles are to strengthen us – James 1:2-4

                                    Struggles help us grow & learn obedience – Heb.5:8,9

            D. Avoid being entangled in the world

                        1. Warnings

                                    Mt.13 – seed sown in weeds (choke our word & no fruit)

                                    Rom.12:2 – do not conform – be transformed

                        2. Our goal must always be to please our Lord

                                    Everything else is immaterial

                                    His will must always be 1st

            E. Be determined to be victorious

                        1. 1 Cor.9:24-27 – run to win

                                    a. Not in this to place or show

                                    b. It’s all or nothing – run to win

                        2. We must be serious about our calling

                                    a. Is a matter of life & death – heaven or hell

                                    b. All will spend eternity somewhere

                                                1) Was a time when you never existed – never be again

                                                2) Are eternal being – will live on somewhere

                                                3) Where that is - determined by what we do here

 

Conclusion

A. God doesn’t make junk – created to be victorious

B. Whether we are a victorious church – depends on decisions we make

            1. Choose to be strong in the Lord – get into His word & prayer

            2. Do everything can to pass along gospel – teachers; live it

            3. Willingly endure hardship – never give up

            4. Avoid being entangled in world – make God’s kingdom 1st

            5. Be determined to win – be serious about your calling – 2 Pet.1:3-10