Sermon Central
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Thanking God For The Victory
Contributed by Jerry Owen on Dec 3, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus Christ has won us victory. In Him, we have victory over sin, death, and Satan. We ought to thank God for the victory that we have in Christ.
THANKING GOD FOR OUR VICTORY
Thanking Dad. A man of around 35 has been to a men’s movement weekend. While away he realizes that he’s never told his father he loves him, so he decides when he gets home he’ll do it. He gets home, picks up the phone and calls home. Dad answers the phone.
“Hi Dad, it’s me.”
“Oh, um, hi son! I’ll go get your mother…”
“No don’t get mom. It’s you I want to talk to.”
There’s a pause then, “Why? Do you need money.”
“No, dad. It’s just I’ve been remembering a lot about you, Dad, and the things you did for me, working all those years to put me through college, supporting us. My life is going well now and it’s because of what you did to get me started. I just thought about it and realized I’d never really said ‘Thanks…’”
Silence on the other end of the phone. The son continues
“I want to thank you for being a great Dad, and to tell you that I love you.”
Another pause, then the Dad replies....
“Son, you been drinking?…”
Having a great father while growing up surely helps us to become wiser and to make better choices in life. And, we ought to regularly thank our Dads for being there for us. We ought also never to forget all that our Heavenly Father has done for us to make our lives better. We ought to daily thank Him for all the victories we experience because of Him.
1. THE SOURCE OF OUR VICTORY
1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In your life you have a great enemy. This enemy hates you and is like a roaring lion that seeks to destroy you. He uses temptation and sin to destroy your fellowship with God and he uses trials and tribulations to cause you to live in fear and failure.
Even greater than our enemy Satan, though, is our Champion and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has won the great victory over the one that hates us so much. And, we can live in victory over sin and darkness and anything that Satan throws at us because Christ Jesus has already won the victory! Satan is a defeated foe!
Remember this little verse, the next time you face fear.
"When fear and failure burden me,
And Satan the lion has roared,
I simply rest in the great victory,
Of Jesus Christ My Lord!"
2. SECURING OUR VICTORY
2 Cor 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
Rome- Generals would fight campaigns across the world. Victory parades would be celebrated. General leads riding a chariot with his army marching with him. Conquered enemies pulling carts filled with the spoils of war behind them. Incense burned the whole path giving a sweet aroma leading to the emperor where the General and his whole army would be praised and glorified.
* In our lives, Jesus Christ empowers us to live in victory over all of the enemies of our souls. A day is coming when those enemies are completely defeated and Jesus Christ will be glorified. We will be there and our lives will a sweet aroma of thanksgiving to the Lord God and we will also be glorified with Christ.
** WHAT VICTORIES DO BELIEVERS ENJOY?
(1) Victory Over Sin
2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
He Made- God devised a plan to remedy our sin debt- He loves you!
Him- Jesus, sinless perfection. Yet the sins of world were placed upon Him to pay the price for our sins
We- You, me, everyone. Jesus died on our behalf (for us) so that we could be made righteous IN HIM.
Rom 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
* When you come to Christ and truly repent, He removes sin, ALL sin. He removes failure, guilt, shame! When the Father looks at you, He sees you as though you had never sinned!
* Christ died for all, but only those who are “in Christ” are forgiven.
** We learn to live in victory as we are no longer defeated and destroyed by guilt and shame! We are clean! Forgiven! Loved!
(2) Victory Over Death
"Infinite Sea"- (Book in the 5th Wave series) The World is in ruins. Most people have been killed by Aliens. Rest are being hunted down. It looks hopeless. The remaining few begin to fight back and things begin to change. Cassie, filled with new hope said “When you look death in the eye, and death blinks first, nothing seems impossible anymore.”
