Sermon Central
-
Overcoming Christ
Contributed by Steven Cook on Jan 5, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Taken from the Song of Solomon, we find that Christ desires to be overcome by our love for Him.
“Overcoming Christ”
by
Dr. Steven G. Cook
I. Introduction
A. Read – S of S 6:4-13 – Emphasize 6:5a
B. Incredible as it may seem, we have the ability to overcome Christ!
C. In this particular passage of Scripture, we find an intimate description of the church as given by her Beloved.
D. Remember, in the Song of Solomon the Shulamite Bride depicts the Church, the Bride of Christ, while her Beloved is a type of Christ.
E. How beautifully Christ describes His Bride in Chapters 6-7!
F. In 6:3 & 7:10 we find that the Shulamite is quite aware of His Love for her – “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine!” “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me!”
G. How can we Overcome Christ? I believe that there are 3 distinct ways in which the Lord is overcome.
II. The Lord Is Overcome by Man’s Sinful Separation
A. Rom. 3:10-20 – This passage of Scripture paints an ugly picture.
B. Man is inherently sinful – Rom. 5:12
C. Since man is born a sinner, he is utterly helpless to help himself!
D. All of man’s righteousnesses are as filthy rags – There is nothing that a man can do in order to save himself!
E. His problem is one of Condition, NOT Conduct!!
F. Rom. 3:21-26 reveals that God is overcome by our “sinful separation”- Because of His infinite love of mankind, He provided a means by which we can be reconciled to Him!
G. Read - Eph. 2:1-9; Rom. 5:6-10; John 3:16-17
H. YES – The Lord is still overcome by our “Sinful Separation!”
I. Every time that a sinner is compelled by the Holy Spirit to accept Christ, we have an evidence that the Lord is still being overcome!
J. Praise the Lord! He loves Sinners so, that He willingly sent His Only Begotten Son to die in our stead!
III. The Lord Is Overcome by a Sinner’s Salvation
A. Christ came to save sinners – 1 Tim. 1:15
B. The Word of God is replete with verses stating that Jesus Christ gave Himself willingly to redeem sinful men!
C. Only by His Virgin Birth, Virtuous Life, Vicarious Death, & Victorious Resurrection could our redemption be afforded!
D. The blood that was shed on Calvary’s cross was, in fact, the very blood of God! Read – 2 Cor. 5:18-19
E. The Father is overcome whenever a sinner repents of his or her sin, and trusts Jesus Christ as Savior.
F. John 6:37 – “….him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out!”
G. Rom. 10:9-10; 10:13; Matt. 11:28; John 1:12
H. 1 Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
I. John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life…..”
J. Acts 16:31 – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, …”.
K. Rev. 22:17 – “….And whosoever will, let him take …”
L. Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 3:18; 1 John 5:13 – Read
M. The Lord is still overcome whenever a sinner repents and turns to Christ for Salvation!
IV. The Lord Is Overcome by a Saint’s Sanctification
A. There are three (3) stages of sanctification – positional, progressive, and prophetic. READ – 2 Cor. 1:10
B. We have been saved; We are being saved; We shall be saved!
C. Read – 2 Cor. 6:1-16
D. Paul exhorts Believers (workers together with Him – vs. 1) to live consecrated lives.
E. This does not occur overnight in the life of the believer – Even the Apostle Paul spoke of how he had to LEARN to be content, etc.
F. Paul spoke of teaching other believers – Especially Timothy – to do certain things and to act certain ways.
G. The Christian life is a life of learning, growing, maturing – It is not without its failures and setbacks!
H. Paul exhorts believers to grow in grace and knowledge so that the “ministry be not blamed” (vs. 3b).
I. Sadly, whenever a believer fails to live a sanctified, consecrated life, there will always be a lost person to let them know it!
J. Notice, however, how that the Lord is overcome by the saint’s sanctification – (vss. 17-18):
1. I will receive you (vs. 17b) – This does not mean, as some would teach that we must live a certain way in order to be saved! What this means is that the Lord is overcome whenever we live a sanctified life, so much so that He “draws nigh to us whenever we draw nigh to Him”
2. He will be a Father unto you (vs. 18a) – Isn’t it just like our heavenly Father to know our very needs? Our Father in heaven will not suffer us to stand alone whenever we face the fiery furnaces and the raging storms of life! He giveth GRACE to the humble! (James 4:6-10 – READ)
