VICTORY OVER THE WORLD

1 JOHN 5:4

A. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN
  1. Began in heaven: Rev. 12:7, 8
  2. It was transferred to this world: Gen. 3:1-22; Job 1:1- 9; Rev. 12:12
B. OUR CONFLICT IN THIS PRESENT WORLD
  1. Was forecast in the Garden of Eden: Gen. 3:15
  2. Will become more intense as we near the great and final battle between good and evil:
  3. This conflict is twofold:
    1. Moral principles are involved - EXAMPLES -
      1. Joseph's temptation by a lewd woman concerned moral principles - Gen. 39:9
      2. Daniel and his friends were subjected to a test of moral principles - Dan. 1:8; 6:10; 3:1-30
    2. God's remnant people will be tested on the same principles - Rev. 12:17
    3. Heb. 11:34-40 records a panorama of the saints, who, in past ages, were tested, but remained faithful to the end.
  4. The customs in this present world are, in some ways, most difficult to fight against:
    1. There is the great difficulty by God's children to differentiate between the things that are most modest and becoming to the saints and those which are a denial of the faith.
    2. Only a working knowledge of Bible standards and guidance by the Holy Spirit will enable God's people to walk safely in this present evil world - 2 Cor. 4:2; Rom. 13:11-14
  5. Three powerful snares we must avoid at all cost:
    1. The lust of the flesh - 1 John 2:15, 16. Think of its victims! Include such persons as king David - 2 Sam. 11:2-17; Solomon - Neh. 13:26
    2. The pride of life - That was the downfall of Nebuchadnezzar - Dan. 4:30. That kept the young ruler from becoming a follower of Christ - Matt. 19:16-19. Will it keep you out of the kingdom of God?
    3. The lust of the eye - This is, perhaps, the most deadly enemy man has. Think, please, of its untold victims throughout the reign of sin? EXAMPLES -
      1. Eve fell for this enticement - Gen. 3:6
      2. Achan became victim and dragged his family with himself into eternal ruin - Josh. 7:1-10
      3. Samson, too, became a slave to this evil - Judg. 14
C. VICTORY OVER THE EVILS OF THIS PRESENT WORLD
  1. No one has any reason to become discouraged because our mighty Captain has gotten the victory over sin:
    1. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" - John 16:33
    2. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57
  2. The heaven provided weapons that will insure victory, if used right:
    1. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God - Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12. This is the weapon used so successfully by the Son of man - Luke 4:1-12
    2. The shield of faith. Faith is the victory that overcometh the world - Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5
    3. The breastplate of righteousness - Eph. 6:14; Isa. 59:17, 19; 1 Thess. 5:8
    4. Fervent and persevering prayer - 1 Thess. 5:17. More and greater victories are won by the saints than by any other means - EXAMPLES -
      1. Moses on the day of the great battle with the enemies - Ex. 17:11, 12
      2. Elisha and the army of the enemy of Israel - 2 Ki. 6:17-19
      3. Hezekiah and the mighty army of the Assyrians - Isa. 39
    5. It is important, however, that we disassociate ourselves from worldlings, who would entice us to do evil.
    6. That we keep ourselves occupied with the work of the Lord and so prevent the enemy to lead us into sin.


Design © John Bryant 2011