This sermon is a warning message to the Churches of God – as expressions of world violence and hatred grow in intensity and become more and more incomprehensible in these last days. We are entering a time of unprecedented events that defy our mental ability to process them as reality, and all these things are very distracting.
Brethren, our problem with living in the world at this time is that issues of our physical existence demand so much of our attention that worldly things can overwhelm us. Our minds can end up spending more time and energy on business, material and secular functions than on vital spiritually oriented matters. That is hard to do when there are so many demands on our attention.
Brethren, when it comes down to it – the only thing that is important is our spiritual orientation. Jesus says:
Revelation 16:
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
The phrase, ‘Keeps his garments’ – means that a Christian is overcoming and living righteously according to all of God’s ways and principles.
Revelation 19:
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Overcoming is not a very exciting subject - that is - until we realize that without overcoming we will not see the Lord. Let’s look at a few Scriptures that speaking of the importance of our being overcomers. Title from here:
Revelation 2:
26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Daniel 7:
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Revelation 3:
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The reward for those who overcome will be to rule as priests and kings with Jesus Christ in the coming kingdom of God. How important is overcoming? Have we made it one of our life’s missions to be an overcomer? What is an overcomer? What is it that we must overcome?
Brethren, the reason I am addressing this today is because Satan is relentless. We will look at one attack of God’s people that took place at the time of the apostasy… But let’s realize that Satan has not let up one iota. Satan is as relentless in his attacks as ever – and he is cunning and more subtle than ever.
We have men in high places in the Churches of God today who do not believe that open and obvious sin in the congregation should be confronted. We need to have our spiritual guard up because this is spiritual warfare.
Okay, brethren – think hard…
If you are a Child of God will you automatically be an overcomer? Does belief in Jesus Christ the Son of God and faith in Him mean that we have already overcome the world as Jesus has? Jesus gave us His example when He said:
John 16:
33 These things I have 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.
After Herbert W. Armstrong died, the Worldwide Church of God began teaching a different narrative from our traditional conviction of our need to overcome. At the time of the apostasy the doctrines of Jesus Christ, including repentance, faith and baptism… to let us go on unto perfection – were downplayed, glossed over and watered down.
Hebrews 6:
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Instead, Worldwide set about to convince the brethren that there is no need to overcome sin. Do you remember when Worldwide did that in 1994? – few people noticed then – or remember today! Worldwide – the corporate entity – as they no longer represented God’s true Church – foisted their insidious, heretical doctrine on God’s people in the form of a question:
“Can you overcome enough for God?”
They implied that you cannot overcome enough to satisfy God. They actually said it this way:
“It is impossible to overcome anyway.”
The thrust of the heresy was to convince the brethren they had already overcome – and they said that the evidence of their overcoming was their willingness to testify to others about their faith in Christ. Notice this newspaper – The Worldwide News May 17, 1994. I brought along a Church newspaper to services today that is more than twenty years old. There is an article in the Worldwide Church of God’s newspaper – The Worldwide News.
The Church was badly off track by 1994 and the particular article that I wish to reference is based on a twisted and distorted spin on a verse that says: “ye have overcome the wicked one.”
The point of the article is to convince the brethren that they have already overcome – and because of faith in Jesus – they need not attempt to overcome anymore – and they add, “It is impossible to overcome anyway.”
I am bring up this old subject for two reasons: First of all, in the heat of the apostasy – very, very few people complained about the heresy. And secondly, many, many men who are our Pastors today (in all the scattered and separated groups) went along with the heresy and have never recanted for a second.
Object of this lesson: Be very careful of what you are being fed by way of church guidelines today. Be very sure it is of God.
From: “Can you overcome enough for God?” Worldwide News May 17, 1994
Let me quote extensively from this article. And let me warn you that there are some very devious and twisted distortions of God’s truth in this article. And I quote:
“To him that overcomes... “They were written, a cynic might argue, to taunt us, to frustrate us, because there is no hope that we will ever attain the goal.
“Perhaps you have read these scriptures or heard them preached, and afterward thought: “I better fast more. I better study more, I better pray more. I haven’t overcome enough. I got to do more or I’m not going to be in God’s kingdom.”
“We’ve unconsciously concluded that Christ’s sacrifice is not enough to guarantee our salvation, that we must be overcomers and conquer our carnal pulls and desires.
“We conclude we must learn to withstand every blow of Satan and this world, build holy righteous character and only then will we be true overcomers.
“If so, how much must we overcome to have eternal life?”
Ralph Orr, the writer of the Worldwide article is intimating that we do not need to be overcomers. Worldwide wrote of the members “inner conflict.”
“Some of our members (July 12, ’94 here) have been depressed and plagued by the mistaken notion that their salvation is uncertain—unassured because they simply have not done enough to earn it. (Emphasis mine.)
Brethren, are you catching these false implications, brethren? The Church of God has never taught that we earn our salvation – yet they state it.
“...salvation is uncertain—unassured because they simply have not done enough to earn it.”
Then in bold Worldwide announces…
“Already overcomers
“The Good News is that God says you have already overcome! You are already an overcomer. You are an overcomer now! You have overcome your flesh, this world and Satan!”
The Worldwide quotes 1 John 2:13:
“1 John 2:13 I write unto you young men, because ye have overcome the evil one.”
Brethren, let me interject an explanation here. The verse does indicate past tense: “ye have overcome…” Brethren, I hope you understand that this is classic proof texting – taking something out context and making it say something else. Worldwide took a Scripture that is problematical for some and twisted and misused it in order to make merchandise of the brethren.
Here is what was happening: The True Christian Church, of the beloved apostle John’s day, fought many and varied temptations and various spiritual battles – not unlike those we must face today. John is quick to recognize the saints various victories over deceitful men, Gnosticism, and a range of heresies against the faith, and victories over Satan the devil as well. Men were denying that Jesus Christ was the Messiah – for example.
1 John 2:
22 Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 4:
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them false [prophets]: because greater is he that is in you [Jesus Christ], than he that is in the world [Satan the devil].
Yes brethren – John acknowledges that they overcame in all these battles – but that in no way means that they could cease overcoming. But that is what Worldwide wanted the brethren to believe: Let’s continue Worldwide’s quotes from The Worldwide News:
“God is telling us that John knew people who had already overcome Satan the devil. They didn’t need to overcome, They already had overcome.
“God already has said it. He says we already are overcomers. He says we have already overcome Satan, this world and even our flesh. We’ve overcome all we need to overcome to have eternal life.” Bold again:
“The victory is ours
“Yes, we are overcomers. We have (past tense) overcome. The victory is ours. Eternal life has come to us, not through our fasts, our prayers, trials and tests, nor through our commandment keeping, but through Jesus Christ.”
Worldwide said that this is all you need – and I quote:
“Christ’s sacrifice, and our faith in Christ, evident in our willingness to testify to others about it, makes us overcomers.”
Brethren, testifying is not overcoming. That does not follow logically. That statement is a non-sequitur. And it is a false faith that denies that Jesus Christ said that we are to be overcomers. The Worldwide writer closes with this very dangerous, sinister and condescending paragraph.
“God knows our frailty. God knows our inability to obey perfectly. For each of us, trapped in this body, subject to its lusts, its weaknesses and open to Satan’s corrupting influence, God provides a way to overcome it all. That way is Jesus Christ. Whoever is going that way has overcome.”
Brethren, keep in mind that this was Worldwide policy in May of 1994 a full year before most ministers moved on. Worldwide taught that once we accepted Jesus Christ as our savior, we were saved for good and eternal life had come to us. It became the Worldwide Church of God’s version of once saved – always saved.
The answer to their taunt was that Jesus does it all for us – while we do what comes naturally as we effortlessly cruise to our eternal reward.
Let’s answer some of what Worldwide wrote:
Let’s consider what Worldwide, and those who went along with Worldwide, were saying. The Worldwide article taught that if you believe Jesus is the Son of God and have faith in Him – then you have already overcome and have no need to continue to be overcomers.
They believe that if you believe Jesus is the Son of God and have faith in Him you are saved for good and eternal life has already come to you. They believe that Jesus Christ has overcome and done all the overcoming that is necessary. They believe that we do not have to be overcomers – because we have already overcome.
Brethren, I was at Pasadena when these vultures were taking over… “Vultures” that is what Mr. Armstrong called them – he knew they were around before he died.
Brethren, do we realize how badly that heresy misses the mark of right doctrine?
Keep in mind how many ministers went along with that heresy without ever uttering a word. They were not protecting the flock. They were asleep at the wheel. They closed their eyes to what was going on.
I’m not talking about the apostate ministers who never left Worldwide – but those ministers who are in a lot of the big corporate organizational groups today. How can we have any confidence that they indeed watch out for us?
Hebrews 13:
17 … they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.
My purpose in bring this message on overcoming is that we be cautious – that we test the spirits if these things be so. Be careful who you trust. Check everything against God’s word. There are many supposed teachers who are off base!
1 John 4:
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
That deviation from the truth of God that was being taught back in Worldwide has not been repudiated by those ministers who claim to represent God’s truth today. They all want to preach to the world and “Cry aloud, spare not… and show people their transgressions.
Isaiah 58:
1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
But shouldn’t that begin at home – in their own congregations? Shouldn’t the true saints have teachers who will teach them to be overcomers?
That false teaching that “we have already overcome” works to discourage the brethren from developing true Christian character.
The very men who are supposed to be teachers of the brethren – are the ones who closed their eyes to this terrible threat and false doctrine. The ministers who claim to hold the truth today stayed on the Worldwide payroll for more than a year after this article was published. Brethren, do you feel safe with the wolves watching the hen house? Should the brethren give the ministers who could “see no evil” all their trust – or should the brethren be wary of their lack of safeguard of the Truth?
Worldwide taunted those sincere members who were living a life of prayer, fasting and overcoming in order to draw near to God. The Worldwide article was taunting and belittling us when it asked,
“How much must we overcome to have eternal life.”
“Can we ever be confident?”
“Is overcoming achieved by fasting, By prayers?” “How many fasts, how many prayers?” “Is it by years in the Church...?”
The very question is misleading. Brethren, “Overcoming” is not quantitative, and cannot be counted or measured in that way. The correct question is, “Are we living a life of overcoming – as Jesus overcame?” The Christian life is a life of continual repentance where we struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil.
And sometimes, because we are not close enough to God, we yield to temptation. Then we have to repent, and come before God, and ask for His mercy and forgiveness, and then we must resolve with fervent determination to overcome that weakness in us – and determine to never (with God’s help) let it happen again. We need to continually examine ourselves. We need to ask ourselves, “How did I ever let that happen?”
Lamentations 3:
40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
While they were taunting us, the Worldwide article accused God of mocking us. This Worldwide article accused God when they contradicted the clear verses that call for overcoming: Quote Worldwide:
“They were written, a cynic might argue, to taunt us, to frustrate us, because there is no hope that we will ever attain the goal.”
Here is the truth of the matter, brethren; Jesus says differently in:
Revelation 2:
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcome will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
Revelation 3:
5 He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 21:
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
How encouraging, how marvelous, how absolutely mind boggling that is, and it says that he that overcomes will inherit the Kingdom, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 3:
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Worldwide sank to a new low when they began to teach that it is no use to try to overcome – because it is impossible to do so.
Brethren, our goal is to be drawing near to God in the Kingdom of God – and we will prevail if we faint not and live a life of overcoming. It is only if we let down that we fail.
Galatians 6:
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The Worldwide article stated that we don’t have to conquer our “carnal pulls and desires” and we don’t have to worry about building “holy righteous character,” – intimating that Jesus Christ did it all for you. Worldwide said,
“Just be true to your humanity.”
The minister who is an impostor will twist the meanings of God’s Word so as to appeal to the lower nature by providing pretexts like – “Be true to your humanity – God will understand – You are not like others – God will forgive you – God knows your heart.” But God says,
2 Corinthians 11:
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
None of us would be so irrational to think, or so foolish to admit out loud that we would dare think that it’s okay to indulge and imbibe of the things of this sinful world – and then expect to enter the Kingdom of God.
Throughout the Bible we find continual warnings about our behavior – and how we should seek the righteousness of Christ. We take those warnings very seriously because we do wish to inherit eternal life. There is a list of sins we must overcome:
1 Corinthians 6:
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Why will they not inherit the kingdom of God? Because they continued in their unrepentant sins and did not seek to be overcomers. Jesus said, be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
That word “conquerors,” like “victors,” is very close to overcomers in the Greek.
But did you pick up on that phrase “through Him,” it means that Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to be “conquerors” and overcomers. God clearly says we must overcome in order to be in the Kingdom of God:
Galatians 5:
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Brethren, the key to overcoming every hateful carnal deed, is using God’s Spirit in our lives to change us, to mold us, and to motivate us. God’s Spirit provides the motivation for us – if we will allow it. Here’s another fairly comprehensive list of sins that must be overcome:
Galatians 5:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
There is another list in:
Ephesians 5:
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Why would Worldwide want to teach that there is no need to overcome? Do they not fear gehenna? “Oh, you should not judge them like that, Mr. Zehrung.”
Brethren, I am not issuing their judgment – Jesus Christ has already judged those who do and teach such things:
Revelation 21:
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The Word of God, if you are a true believer, is wonderful. The Scriptures are beautiful. God’s Word is encouraging – challenging and encouraging us to become more like Jesus Christ – who overcame the world – and inherit the marvelous rewards that God has promised to those who overcome.
The Worldwide article taught that our faith in Christ meant that we need not be overcomers any longer – because that faith in Christ meant that we had already overcome.
But it was not faith in Christ – because they rejected the very words of Jesus Christ. Is faith in Jesus Christ all that is needed? Jesus Christ’s brother, James answers this question this way:
James 2:
26 As the body without the breath is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
This is so clear and straight forward in this verse that we Christians are to be overcomers (that’s works) in the same manner that Jesus Christ overcame! And make no mistake about it, Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 4:
15 … was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
We saw where Jesus said:
John 16:
33 … but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
How was Jesus able to overcome? He fasted forty days and forty nights in preparation for His confrontation with Satan the devil – so that He might have the spiritual strength to overcome him.
Luke 4:
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing:
Jesus taught us that we must be willing to take drastic steps to overcome sin.
Matthew 5:
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
We must be willing to put our entire life on the line to overcome sin – it is our reasonable service.
Hebrews 12:
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
The first century saints were martyred; the prophets of old were slain. That is a little bit different from those who hold the false doctrine that Jesus did it all for us.
Romans 12:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Overcoming is only done by true Christians. Overcoming is a continual process that lasts our entire lifetime in God’s Church. We will not overcome in this life and be able to sit back and say, “I overcame.” Oh yes, we will be able to say, “I overcame” in many temptations and battles – but you will not be able to say, “I have completely overcome and need not fight the Christian battle anymore.” Our fight is unto death:
1 Timothy 6:
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things [temptation and a snare]; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.
Brethren, this argument about overcoming is not a matter of semantics – but a matter of life and death. Those who insist that Jesus did all the overcoming vicariously – in their stead – are doomed.
Matthew 25:
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Very few men saw and stood against Worldwide’s false teachings. They were unwilling unable or unwilling to take a stand for the Truth. A few stood up and fought back. One such man countered and refuted The Worldwide News article in a response on July 12, 1994. Many of his comments are utilized in this sermon. I wish I knew who he was. I would walk shoulder to shoulder with him and commend his courage. Too bad the cowardly Worldwide staff redacted his name from his rebuff – but it did not do any good – because a few good men were willing to take on that worldly $200,000,000.00 (Two hundred million dollar per year) corporate organization allowing many brethren to escape the apostasy. Many of those whom we counted as brethren succumbed to that false teaching back then.
Men and women in God’s Church have been called by God for the very purpose of living lives of good works and overcoming according to righteous Godly principles. Why did God create us? The answer is in Ephesians 2:10:
Ephesians 2:
10 For we are [God the Father’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
As stated in the Scriptures, doing good works is overcoming evil. That is accomplished through the power of God’s Spirit in helping us to walk righteously according to every word of God.
Romans 12:
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
In these last days, instead of portraying a greater zeal for God and His word, the Church of God brethren are letting down. The Church of God today has not overcome to the extent of God’s expectations. The question remains, “Who among us has forgotten that God expects us to be overcomers?”
Now is the time immediately prior to the return of Jesus Christ. This time we are living in brethren, is a time of letting down and Laodicean attitudes. Many, if not most brethren have let their guard down. O sure, we all think that the Laodiceans are those other people – somewhere??? Again, “Hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
Jesus knows how badly we need to let Him come into us so that we might be overcomers. Jesus Christ does not do it all for us. He has overcome the world and He is in us helping us to overcome the world – but we definitely have our part to play in being overcomers.
It is a mystery to the world, but if Christ is not in us we have no hope of the resurrection.
Colossians 1:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles (the world does not know); which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The mystery is that Christ is in us – that is how we are able to be overcomers. With God’s power and influence in our life, we can overcome! With God’s love, and guiding hand, we can choose a lifetime of obedience to our heavenly Father and be overcomers. But, we must understand that we are not able to be overcomers by our own strength. It is Jesus in us that makes it possible for us to overcome.
1 John 4:
4 …Greater is He that is in you [Speaking of Jesus Christ], than he that is in the world [Satan the devil].
We too can have the victory over Satan…
God has called us out of this world and He has given us the means that we need to be able to overcome the pull of Satan, self, society and the sin that doth so easily beset us. So many of our brothers and sisters have let down - they are not fighting the Christian fight in this last era before Christ returns.
Hebrews 12:
1 …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.
What must be overcome? The answer is Sin, Satan, self, society, the world, fear, pride, and the sin that doth so easily beset us. They have forgotten how to seek the victory of conquering and overcoming the world - as Jesus Christ gave us example:
John 16:
33 These things I have 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.
Paul told the Christians in Rome, Italy that the carnal human mind, influenced by Satan, actually resents trusting in God.
Romans 8:
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Worldwide would say:
“See, it is impossible to overcome.”
But, that is not true – we are not in the flesh. Our baptism and receiving of God’s Holy Spirit changed that!
Romans 8:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Paul put it this way in his letter to Titus:
Titus 2:
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world.
Brethren, this tells us that we are to live a certain way – we should live soberly - sober minded – righteously, and Godly. This world cannot overwhelm us if we have Christ in us. If we live as Christ lived we will be a beacon of light to all of those around us.
Those in the world are not able to overcome. It is only baptized, converted, Children of God – Christians who are able to be overcomers. It takes God’s Holy Spirit to have the power to be able to overcome the world. We have this power when we have faith that, not only is Jesus Christ our Savior – but knowing that He overcame the world, and He overcame all principalities and powers – making Him our perfect advocate because He has fought the battle of overcoming victoriously.
1 John 5:
4 For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world:
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sins not [as a way of life]; but he that is born of God [begotten – same word] keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.
‘That wicked one touches him not’ – refers to overcoming Satan.
1 John 5:
5 Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Who overcomes the world? 1. Those born of God. 2. He that believes Jesus is the Son of God. 3. Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Revelation 12:
9 And the great dragon was cast out [of heaven], that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
There is a three-fold approach to overcoming Satan.
Revelation 12:
11 And they overcame [Satan] him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Jesus enumerated three things that are necessary to overcome Satan:
1. The blood of the Lamb becomes effectual only after repenting of breaking the Ten Commandments. That is when our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
2. The word of their testimony is the testimony of Jesus Christ. In John 15:14 Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
3. They loved not their lives unto the death. Jesus loved not His life unto the death—and He requires the same of us. In John 15:12 Jesus said, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
Brethren, Let’s renew our efforts to be overcomers. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to us.
James 4:
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
***
| Sermon: |
"He Who Overcomes" |
 |
 |
