OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to list of sermons Next  Click to download Sermon

VICTORY

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.             Loss, failure, and defeat are not words that inspire and uplift.

B.              Conquest, triumph, and victory, on the other hand, ignite the soul with passion and hope.

C.              For the faithful child of God, victory is the ultimate end (Rom. 8:37).

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

D.             For the next few minutes, we want to look at some of the concepts that surround the topic of “Victory.”

I.        JESUS SECURED THE ULTIMATE VICTORY

A.             As Jesus approached the final hours of His life on earth, He knew He had been victorious (John 16:33).

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer.  I have overcome the world.

1.                Satan had not destroyed Him at his birth.

2.                The devil could not bring Him to sin in the wilderness.

3.                Jesus had constantly shown His power over darkness through His miraculous works, especially in casting out demons.

4.                Jesus’ words were enticing to the masses.  Multitudes were drawn toward His holy calling.

B.              His death appeared to be defeat.  In humiliation, the Son of god drew His last breath on the cursed tree and was placed into a tomb of death and decay.  The hadean realm, however, could not hold Him.  Jesus claimed victory on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures.

1.                Satan was destroyed (Heb. 2:14).

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

2.                Satan’s cronies, the principalities and powers in high places, were also spoiled by the cross (Col. 2:14-15).

Blotting our the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

C.              Jesus’ victory is seen to be complete in the Revelation.  He is pictured as the rider on the white horse.

1.                Revelation 6:2

And I saw, and behold a white horse:  and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him:  and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

2.                In the 19th chapter of Revelation, this rider is seen again.  On His vesture and on His thigh a name is written (Rev. 19:16).

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

3.                In Revelation, all of the Lord’s enemies are subdued.

a.         The beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev. 19:20).

b.         The devil, too, is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10).

c.         Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).

d.         The wicked and evil are also burned in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

4.         The holy city is seen as the only thing standing, and its gates are eternally open (Rev. 21:25).  Why?  There are no enemies to threaten the inhabitants any more.

II.      MANKIND CAN TAKE PART IN JESUS’ VICTORY

A.             Revelation 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

B.              The question is:  How do we overcome?  How do we become part of the victory procession?  There seems to be four essentials that make one an overcomer.

1.                Three of these things are found in Revelation 12:11.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

                                    a.         The blood of the Lamb.

1)         The shed blood of Christ forgives and redeems.

                        a)         Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

                                                            b)         Hebrews 9:26b

…but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

2)         This blood, however, is only applied conditionally.  We must cut off our sins in repentance and have them forgiven by the blood of Christ in the waters of baptism (Col. 2:11-13).

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  buried with him in baptism, wherein ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

3)         Even after we have become Christians, the blood of Christ will provide continual cleansing (I John 1:7).

                                    b.         The word of their testimony.

1)         The word of God reveals “how” we have access to the saving blood of Christ.

2)         The message of the gospel pricks the heart, produces faith, and promotes our obedience.  Thus, it is the “power” of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17).

                                    c.         The sacrifice of self.

1)         The ones spoken of in Revelation 12:11, “loved not their lives unto the death.”

                                                2)         We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:39.

He that findeth his life shall lose it:  and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

3)         This self sacrifice may not always be unto death, but it always involves living for Christ completely (II Cor. 5:15).

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

2.                The final component needed to be an overcomer is faith (I John 5:4).

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcome-th the world, even our faith.

a.         Faith is conviction and trust rooted in the testimony of God’s word that compels one to obey and serve God.

b.         Faith trusts in the blood of Christ and obeys the command to be baptized in order to be cleansed of sin.

c.         Faith hears the word, believes the facts, trusts the promises, and obeys the commands of God.

                                    d.         Faith drives self out and enthrones Christ on the heart.

III.     THE BENEFITS OF VICTORY

A.             Rest from struggle (Rev. 14:13).

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:   Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

B.              Relief from the enemy.

1.                Death is overcome with life (I Cor. 15:54).

2.                The devil is cast into eternal hell (Rev. 20:10).

3.                Tears, sorrow, crying and pain are passed away (Rev. 21:4).

4.                Nothing that defiles, or worketh abomination, or that maketh a lie will be found in the eternal city (Rev. 21:27).

C.              Reward from the Captain of our salvation.

1.                In the Revelation, overcomers are promised numerous rewards.

a.         Eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).

b.         Shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11).

c.         Eat of the hidden manna (Rev. 2:17).

d.         Power over the nations (Rev. 2:26).

e.         Name not blotted out, but confess before the Father (Rev. 3:5).

f.         A pillar in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12).

g.         Granted to sit down on God’s throne (Rev. 3:21).

2.         Oftentimes, the Bible mentions the “stephanos,” the victory crown that will be given to the Lord’s faithful (II Tim. 4:8; I Cor. 9:25; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10).

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not unto me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

CONCLUSION

A.             Victory can seem almost unimaginable.

B.              Victory is essential for eternal life.

C.              I Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.