April 7, 2024
Sermon Part 2 of 2: The Secret To Overcoming The World Must Be Used and Shared With Every Born-Again Christian!”
Top of the Morning to You Saints of the Most-High God!
This Sermon is dedicated to my brother and friend in Jesus Christ Uncle Leroy Taylor.
Review/Introduction
On Resurrection Sunday, we established that through Jesus Christ, every born-again Christian is a “Conqueror,” and “More Than a Conqueror,” over “death.” In our sanctified hearts, we possess the self-same Spirit that quickened and raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third-day. (Rom.8:11) With the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, He not only bore and carried all of our sins away. But Jesus also took from Satan eternal possession of the keys of death and hell. (Rev.1:18) What a Mighty Conqueror is the Lord God, and His Conquering Spirit abides in us!
Jesus subjugated death unto His Purpose and Plan. He brought death under His control and enslaved it. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. (II Tim.1:10) Praise God, and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and is baptized in water has eternal life: We have already been passed from death unto life! (Mark 16:15-16 & John 5:24) For those of us who believe (trust in, rely, and depend) in Jesus Christ, “death is dead forever!” Actually, I like to say it this way: “Death has died, is dead, and will never exist anymore!”
Therefore in Jesus Christ, we are “not” to be troubled and tormented by the prospect of physical death. When fellow believers in Christ fall asleep, we do not sorrow as others do in the world. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and is exceedingly beyond the graveyard. (I Thess. 4:14) We believe as Christ lives forevermore, so shall we live also. (John 14:9)
As such, we are “NOT” afraid to make important end-of-life decisions, to write a Will, to secure life insurance, do estate planning, as well as discuss final plans with our love ones. We are faithful stewards over the material possessions God has given to us, and we diligently work to keep our business affairs in order.
We are fully seasoned Saints in business, and not children! We will “NOT” leave our heirs without an inheritance of moral excellence and financial stability! To do so would make us worse than an infidel! (Prov.13: 22 & I Tim. 5:8) With great joy we look forward to the day when we take our last breath on earth, and immediately thereafter, are present with the Lord. (II Cor. 5:8) Our sole ambition in life is to see Jesus face-to-face.
The song says, “When I see Jesus, I will fall on my knees and praise Him in a heavenly place, when I see Jesus face-to-face.”
A traditional hymn we also sing says, “When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory!”
Now listen to this Saints. Since we no longer fear death because of the finished works of Christ Jesus on the cross, likewise in this life we are “NOT” to fear “tribulation” of any sort.
Tribulation is the “systematic” and “automatic” external pressure (stress) we feel brought upon by afflictions, calamities, persecutions, and troubles experienced in this fallen world. Satan, the god of this world, is the Father and author of all evil in the world. Adam’s treasonous actions in the Garden of Eden permitted and unleashed sin, which spawned tribulation and death upon all mankind. Jesus Christ came and died for the sins of all mankind for all times. The world has been judged and will pass away, and with it, all who fail to believe in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 3:17-21, 16:11 & Mark 16:15, & Matt. 24:35) Therefore, I say, it’s so good to know Jesus, it’s so good to know the Lord.
When I think about life and the tribulations we endure in this fallen world, I liken it to the Ocean. At times and seasons our lives experience the joy of peace and calm, reminiscent of the still of the deep blue ocean.
At times, everything in life can be simply splendid. It would seem that there is nothing but smooth sailing ahead. Then suddenly, like the great storms that come rapidly upon the ocean, our lives can be severely impacted and damaged by temptations; such as yielding to sin, sickness, fractured relationships, financial loss, and many other calamities.
When things go wrong, great suffering and loss can take place. Bad things can happen that seek to dash our hopes and dreams away, and test our resolve to live on. Yes, Satan is the thief that comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy everything good God has placed in the earth. (John 10:10)
But, just as God in Christ Jesus has given to us the secret (answer) to death, which is “eternal life.” God has also provided the secret (answer) to overcoming every tribulation that comes our way. This is what we are going to talk about today. The Secret to Overcoming the World; the secret to getting the victory over every tribulation and putting Satan under our feet where he belongs!
Oh praise God, we are the Lord’s body and Jesus Christ is expecting us to put all things (tribulation/trouble) under our feet! (Heb.10:12-13)
Each of us here today is either currently going through, or in the future will be going through, some formidable and troublesome situation that cannot be fixed in our own human intellect and/or physical strength. However, with all boldness I tell you, that God has placed the victory over every tribulation in our born-again spirits!
We just need to know the “secret” to drawing it out. By secret, I mean it’s been right here in the New Testament of the Bible all along how to defeat tribulation in life. Jesus said there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed. (Luke 8:17) God doesn’t hide things from us, but for us.
However, in Christian Circles, most Christians have in their Bibles either read over, looked over, ignored, and maybe even doubted the secret that gives us the victory over tribulation.
Consequently, much of the tribulation we have gone through in life, we could have gotten the victory much sooner, if we had only obeyed what the Word of God said do. When tribulation strikes, many Christians think they have to resolve the problem on their own. Some Christians just hope the trouble will go away on its own. While other Christians resign themselves to just live out their years with the trouble. This is “NOT” God’s way for us to handle tribulation!
The Bible says, we may weep for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Ps.30:5) Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God snatches us out of them all! (Ps. 34:19) God promises us when we are in trouble, if we call on Him, He will answer and deliver us out of trouble. (Ps.91:14-15)
So when I release this secret to overcoming tribulation, I strongly urge you to do two things. First, apply the secret to overcome every trouble you encounter to the circumstance. Do not be a hearer of the Word only, but also follow through and obey the Word. (James 1:22)
Second, you must share the secret with fellow believers in Jesus Christ; especially with those in crises. Sharing and encouraging fellow Saints in the Word of God is an act of true discipleship and brotherly love. Further, it works to enlarge our territory in conquering evil in the world, and brings glory and honor to God our Father.
Freely you are receiving this powerful secret, so freely give it away! (Matt.10:8) So here is the secret to overcoming the world.
Our Belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Overcomes the World
Your belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God has all “power” to overcome every tribulation in the world. The writings of the Apostle John, at John 16:33 and I John 5:4-5, reveal how we conquer tribulation. We read these Scriptures all the time and perhaps many of you know them by heart. However, we “must” take these Scriptures literally and to heart, with all diligence, as they are by no means hyperbole.
Now take a close look at the Scriptures below. I have inserted some phrases from the Amplified Bible to expound upon the King James Version. This will make our joy full and complete in Christ.
At John 16:33 the King James Version with Selected Amplified Bible Version Phrases reads:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have [perfect] peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation [trials, stresses, and frustration]: but be of good cheer [take courage, be confident and undaunted be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.”[I have deprived it of power to harm you and conquered it for you]
Now I John 4:5-4 reads:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus told His disciples that as inhabitants of this world we would have tribulation. It does not matter who you are: saved or unsaved, male or female; everybody has the experience of tribulation in life in this world. Only through our belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can we escape the wrath of God that is coming on the world, death, hell, the grave, and of course as we are discussing to triumph over tribulation. (II Pet. 3:10)
The Bible tells us of the full contents of the world. All that the world consist of is hatred for Christians (John 15:18) the love of things, and sin magnified in the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. (I John 2:15-17) And, as I said before, the world and all these things shall pass away. It’s so very sad that most people in the world build their hopes on temporal “things,” rather than in the eternal God of salvation Jesus Christ.
Also, the Apostle Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, there would be extremely dangerous times, with many people exemplifying down right ungodly and lawless behaviors. Paul wrote at II Tim. 3:1-5:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Evil in the hearts of men only continually churn and ignite tribulation in ever increasing severity, and we have been living in the last days since Pentecost.
But in the midst of the experience of tribulation, Jesus Christ said we are to be of “good cheer;” be courageous and filled with joy as He has “deprived “the world (tribulations) of power to hurt us and “conquered” the world for us. This is what the Saint needs to embrace and know in every “troublesome situation,” Jesus has deprived the trouble of power to hurt us, and conquered it for us! Praise God, we all need to be shouting for joy right now!
You, see at the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Satan the trouble-maker, and every demonic force trembles and is casted out. For example in Luke 4:41 and Mark 3:11, when Jesus casted out demons, they fell down before him, and declared that He is the “Son of God.” No demon in hell can resist the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, but must bow and submit to His Authority! Paul pinned at Philippians 2:10-11:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Based on the Scriptures we have discussed above, let me ask some questions and you give the answer.
Question:
Since Jesus has deprived the world, (all tribulation) of power to hurt us and conquered the World for us, in Christ what do we have?
Answer:
We have the “Victory” over Tribulation and the world. We own the world because Christ conquered it for us!
The Apostle Paul wrote at I Corinthians 3:22,
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s.
We should be sober and watch and pray, with anticipation, knowing that Satan will attack us with troubles. We should counter the assault of the world’s troubles with resolute “good cheer.” Confidently knowing and full of joy that tribulation of any kind cannot hurt us, and is already conquered by our big brother Jesus Christ. In every battle we face, we “always win a more than decisive victory through our belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Question:
Since in Christ Jesus we have the victory over the world and own it, what else do we have?
Answer:
The Perfect Peace of Christ.
When tribulation comes are way we have the Peace of Christ in our born-again hearts, instead of the pressure and stress that accompanies trials and tribulations that overtake the people of the world. We can enjoy “deep and sweet sleep” like Jesus did when He and the disciples were in the flooded ship in the midst of the great storm. (Matt. 8:23-27)
Knowing that we always overcome and triumph over every evil situation. Through Jesus Christ we can do all things, as He infuses us with His strength. (Php. 4:13)
Furthermore, in the midst of fiery trials and troubles, our Peace shines as a beacon of light to show the people of the world the way to God through Jesus Christ. Our sufferings in tribulations magnify Christ in us so that people can remember the passion and love of Christ. In sufferings and persecutions, we don’t murmur and complain, foolishly blame and blaspheme God, and turn against God.
Rather, we look unto Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith, and remember His Passion, which strengthens our resolve to praise Him as the Son of God the more, as we overcome tribulations! No matter how long it takes to see our salvation manifest, we bow to the Holy name of Jesus, the Son of God.
Thus, we glory in tribulation. (Rom. 5:3) We count it all joy when we fall in all kinds of temptations. (James 1:2-4) We count the experience of affliction as light burdens that are working to bring about a greater weight of eternal glory in this life and the next. (II Cor. 4:17).
Now, moving on to John’s writing at I John 5:4-5.
John exclaimed that every born-again Christian overcomes the world. Wow, what a wonderful truth this is! There is no tribulation in the arsenal of Satan we face that the Saints do not overcome. It’s in our spiritual DNA in Christ that we overcome the world because the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ abides in us. Greater is God in Christ in us, than the devil and all his evil works are in the world. (I John 4:4) Our hearts war against the adversary and refuse to give him any place because we have the Spirit of the Conquering Christ in us.
Because we have believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus has blessed us with His faith. (John 20:29) Jesus’s faith declares that He has already conquered the world for us. His faith declares the power of all Tribulation in the world has been taken away and cannot hurt us.
Thus, John asks and answers the question…who is he that overcomes the world? It’s the one who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, then the trouble you are experiencing right now has already been defeated, conquered, and you are the “Victor.” Right now, from your born-again heart, be infused throughout your soul and body with the Perfect Peace of Christ!
Right now, look in your born-again heart (spirit, soul, and mind of the soul) and think of the problem you are facing in life. Notice that your spirit always has a conquering disposition towards the problem.Your spirit cries out “Victory, Victory, Victory Shall Be Mine” over the problem through Jesus Christ the Son of God! Your spirit commands the problem to go from you. Your spirit feels no pain from the problem, because it’s full of boldness and the joy of the Lord! Tell the trouble to get under your feet!
While you wait for the physical manifestation of your salvation. God is faithful not to allow you to suffer more than you can bear, but has made away to escape and endure until the victory is won. Paul wrote at I Corinthians 10:13:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There is no amount of demonic presence or activity that we cannot overcome, get the victory, and take authority over it. The Apostle Paul wrote at Romans 8:35-37:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
In closing, we simply say with all boldness, “we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and this gives us the victory over every tribulation in the world.
We resolve to share this all-powerful secret with every believer in Jesus Christ, so we all may have complete victory over Satan and put him under our feet. For the Spirit of our Conquering King Jesus lives within us to destroy all the works of the enemy and nothing by any means shall hurt us. We are Conquerors, and More Than Conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us. Amen.
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