Victory to Victory pt 2
Today we’re going to pick up where we left off last week. So let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 15:57.
I) 1COR 15:57.
A) It’s possible that we’re doing all the things right, but we still don’t see the victory. The Word of God gives us some insight into that HEB 10:36.
1) I like the way the NIV puts it, (Hebrews 10:36) “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (NIV)
a) When the KJV says “You have need of patience”, the NIV says “persevere” the Greek literally says, it’s a steadfastness, constancy, and it an endurance.
b) Delay is not denial. Just because you don’t see the victory yet, it doesn’t mean you’re defeated.
2) While we’re waiting in patience, doing the will of God, we should still be checking ourselves.
a) (1COR 11:31) Says, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
B) There are some important things that you should know in order to have this victory.
1) 1st look at ROM 8:28
a) It’s essential to know that all things will work out for good if you love the Lord.
b) Notice that there is a condition to that V., “To them that Love God.”
(i) The word “love” here is the Greek word “Agapao” which comes from “agape”
(ii) This is the highest form of love, an unconditional love.
(iii) This is the best love that we could have for the Lord. And the Lord says that if you have this kind of love for me, all things will work out for good.
(a) God has a way of turning situations around for His glory.
(b) But your love for the Lord is the key.
c) Back in (Romans 8:28) It Says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV)
(i) The beginning of that V says, “We know” You have to have that knowing and that attitude that God will turn the situation around.
(ii) Other wise you will get into negativism and that will bring defeat.
2) The 2ND thing that you need to know to have victory is found in PHIL 4:13 (1st was to know that God will turn the situation around.)
a) It’s important to realize that you can have victory through Jesus, and that’s where victory comes from.
b) If you don’t understand that, then you will be defeated before you even start.
3) 3rd ROM 6:14
a) It’s very important that you realize that you are not under sin’s dominion, nor are you under the curse of it.
(i) (Galatians 3:13) says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.”
(ii) We have been redeemed from the penalty of sin.
b) But it’s even better than that (2COR 5:21) Says, “For he hath made him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
(i) If you have, (what I call), a sin consciousness, it’s going to hinder your relationship with God.
(ii) HEB 9:14
(a) The NIV says, “Cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
(b) You can’t really be serving God in the fullest with a sin consciousness.
(iii) (HEB 10:22) Says, “Let us draw near (to God) with a true heart” (or you could say “With a Pure Conscience”)...
(a) (In full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”)
c) If we’re coming to God and want to walk from victory to victory it’s important to have that “PURE CONSCIENCE.”
(i) We need to know that we’re no longer under sin.
II) Another thought that goes along these same lines of having a “SIN CONSCIOUSNESS” is that sometimes people are living for the Lord and have put sin behind them (in other words they’re not practicing sin) but they still have a sin consciousness.
A) They still feel like they’re a sinner and that’s their problem.
1) They remember their acts and sins before they became a Christian or even after they became Christian.
a) Even though they confessed their sins to God they still don’t feel worthy of receiving God’s promises and walking in victory.
2) Let’s look at a couple scriptures along these lines. This is a problem that many Christians have. They don’t feel worthy to receive from God.
B) 2 Corinthians 5:17.
1) What you need to see from this verse is that the old man that walked according to ways of this world and did the sinful things is gone.
a) Now you are a new man or woman in Christ and the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all sin.
C) Turn to Philippians 3:13-14.
1) Notice that Paul didn’t say that he was perfect. He said, “I have not apprehended, I have not arrived, I am not perfect.”
a) The next thing he says is that he forgets his past failures, blunders and errors and he keeps pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(i) In other words, he keeps on serving God and following the Lord.
2) If we’ve confessed our blunders to God, God has given us His righteousness.
a) Our sins are as far as the East is from the West. (Proverbs 103:12)
b) And that God buried them in the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19).
c) And in (Hebrews 10:17) He says that He would remember our sins no more.
(i) If God has forgotten our sins, we to should no longer dwell on our past failures and blunders.
3) If we continue to dwell on those things we’ll never believe that we can have God’s very best.
a) Remembering in your past errors is a faith robber. It stops you from believing that God wants you to walk in victory in every situation. Jesus said all things are possible to them who believe.
b) Remembering your past failures and blunders hinders you from believing.
(i) You need to know that your sins are completely wiped away, and that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
(ii) Instead of having a sin consciousness, we should have a righteousness consciousness.
III) There are 3 steps that we all need to take to have that victory. JAMES 4:7
A) 1st of all submit yourself to God.
1) That means serving Him and being obedient to Him.
2) Then He says, “Resist the Devil.” (2nd).
a) Resist those temptations to sin, resist evil thoughts; resist the works of the Devil.
b) Then the Devil will flee.
3) Then in (V 8) he says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (3rd).
a) When you draw nigh unto God and He draws nigh unto you, then you have victory.
b) But notice that the submitting to God comes before the drawing nigh unto Him.
B) Look at DEUT 28:1
1) In order for us to have this kind of victory, to where we are set high above all nations, we need to follow these conditions.
a) 1st of all he says, “HARKEN unto the voice of the Lord,” The word “Harken” means “listen intently to.”
b) The word “OBSERVE” means “To guard, and to protect.”
c) Then he says, “And do all His commandments.”
2) In other words he’s saying, “Listen intently to the Word of God, protect and guard that Word in your heart, and do it.”
IV) Turn with me to 1COR 9:24-27
A) In (V 24) he tells us to run this race of LIFE.
1) He goes on to say, “Don’t just run it any old way, run to WIN.”
B) Then in (V 25) he says, “Be temperate in all things”
1) The RSV says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.”
a) We as Christians need to be temperate or use self-control in all things.
b) The NIV says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”
C) He then ends this chapter with “I keep under my body, & bring it into subjection.”
1) These are the things that are essential for victory. But to sun it all up, if you want to go from victory to victory you have to sell out for God. He has to be 1st in your life.
SUN AM 5/12/91 TFC & WOLCC SUM AM 4/25/93 and W. O. L. C. C. someday Sunday, March 22, 1998. This was taken from the 2nd ½ of the message called “Victory to Victory.”