Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

A PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER

1. A most revealing promise:
   1. It leads us back to the Garden of Eden, as recorded in the second and third chapters of the book of Genesis.
   2. It shows that the paradise of God has not been altered - the tree of life is still in the midst of the garden. Compare Gen. 3:3 with Rev. 2:7; 22:1-3
2. It is an inspired reminder of the beginning of the loyalty test of the human race:
   1. That is why the tree of knowledge of good and evil was planted beside the tree of life.
   2. The test itself shows that man was created a free moral agent; he could choose between good and evil.

1. The word "overcomer" is most revealing:
   1. It is indicative of a conflict - Gen. 2:15, 16; 3:1-6
   2. It presupposes temptation or difficulty - Gen. 3:1- 6; Luke 4:13
2. It must be noted that in temptation the principle of loyalty is involved:
   1. That was true in the case of our first parents - Gen. 2:15, 16; 3:1-6
   2. That has been true ever since - EXAMPLES -
      1. The temptation of Joseph was a loyalty test - Gen. 39:7-9
      2. The temptation of Abraham was a loyalty test - Gen. 22:1-12
      3. Saul's temptation was a loyalty test - 1 Sam. 15:1-22
3. It points to the great controversy between Christ and Satan:
   1. That conflict began in heaven - Rev. 12:7
   2. It was transplanted to this earth, and it will end here on the earth.
4. It must be noted, further, that the book of Revelation strongly emphasizes the importance of overcoming:
   1. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 25
   2. Rev. 3:5, 12, 21
5. There is a reason for the assurance of the promise to the overcomer:
   1. As we near the end of time, the conflict between good and evil will be intensified.
   2. Satan knows that his time to do his work is very short, and for that reason he is doubling his effort against the church of God - Rev. 12:12; Dan. 12:1
   3. To all the final test will come over -
      1. Loyalty to God's law - Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14
      2. Loyalty to all principles of truth - Dan. 1:8; 3:10
6. Power to overcome:
   1. Faith in Christ Jesus - 1 John 5:4; 1 Cor. 15:57; Phil. 2:13; 4:13
   2. By the Holy Spirit - Zech. 4:6; Isa. 59:19
   3. By the blood of Jesus Christ - Rev. 12:11
   4. By the word of the testimony of the saints - Rev. 12:11

1. It is to be noted that the blessings promised to the overcomer are related to the specific conflicts won:
   1. Loyalty to truth will be rewarded with the privilege of eating of the tree of life - Rev. 2:7
   2. Loyalty unto death will be rewarded with being saved from the second death.
   3. Steadfastness in our relationship to the Lord will bring the reward of being pillars in the church of the living God - Rev. 2:17
   4. Perseverance in the faith will be rewarded with the garment of Christ's righteousness - Rev. 3:5; 19:7, 8
2. In the light of what we have considered, we must conclude:
   1. That Christianity implies a conflict for all who bear this name.
   2. That this conflict will be intensified as we near the end of time.
   3. That God will have a rich reward for all faithful soldiers of the cross when the conflict is ended.