1 JOHN 5:4-5 FAITH IS THE VICTORY - How to overcome the world!

TOPIC: Overcoming faith

If you love the Author of your faith, you'll love the book He wrote!

TITLE: FAITH IS THE VICTORY - How to Overcome World!

TEXT: 1 John 5:4-5

… whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

TRUTH CLAIM: This message was recently preached as a New Years message.

NOTE: Ad lib current events and their tie to our cultural decay, both in USA and the whole world.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How can one live in the world and still have a victorious life in Christ … what’s the mystery of overcoming faith?

CONCISE OUTLINE: - According to the bible, overcoming faith is ...

I. A Believing Faith!
II. A Pleasing Faith!
III. A Working Faith!
IV. A Believing Faith!
V. A Sustaining Faith!
VI. A Saving Faith!

CONTEXT: Americans are known world over as a people who take their hits and then get up, dust themselves off, and start all over again. And we may have a rough year ahead of us.

Past generations have been stronger in their faith than this generation though! How will we fair if times get tough?

We are also known for our defense of underdogs. We’ll root for the under-dog when we’re not in the game but put us on the field and we play to win. When all is said and done, we all like a winner!

In the summer Olympics in Beijing, NBC (broadcasting to a primarily American audience) knew this truth very well; when an underdog had a shot at victory they played it for all it’s worth.

They filled our screens with background on anyone who had a chance for victory out of hardship. When there was no clear top runner they would hype the underdogs constantly.

Americans want the loser to win and win big! That’s why it’s hard to under-stand why American’s aren’t pushing & shoving to get into the Kingdom of God! A place made ready by the Chief Underdog.

Yet not even all of those who know of victory have victory! Theirs is the same as the demons in James 2:19.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How can one live in the world and still have a victorious life in Christ … what’s the mystery of overcoming faith?

EXPANDED OUTLINE:

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

I. A Believing Faith!

My wife gets real nervous going over bridges, especially those that arch high!

Our faith in Jesus is as simple as crossing a bridge. We must have the simple confidence Christ is who He says He is and will do what He says He’ll do! Just like we trust a bridge to be what it claims to be and do what it claims it will do!

The bible says "… faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." [Hebrews 11:1]

We must first believe!

You say you believe but so do the demons.

What should we say then, that your faith believes that God is but does not believe that he can heal you, that He can bring you through the tough times ahead, pay your bills, feed your kids, or give you hope and purpose in life?

You believe there is a God … who is He? Describe Him! Give me His bio!

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

II. A Pleasing Faith!

Hebrews 11:6 says

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

In the light of (a) Jeremiah’s plea ("we believe, Lord help us in our unbelief") and (b) Jesus’ own statements to the believing apostles ("oh ye of little faith"), this tells us that pleasing faith is more than a simple statement of belief.

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

III. A Working Faith!

James, the half brother of Jesus, says real faith shows itself by its works - James 1:22. (see also James 1:14, James 1:17-18)

[OARS] I have said it before, and it is not original with me, and will say it again, that faith and works are the Christian’s oars for crossing the River of Life. It takes both oars to keep from rowing in circles.

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

IV. A Sustaining Faith!

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. [2 Timothy 1:12]

For the arms of the wicked will be broken; but the LORD sustains the righteous. [Psalm 37:17]

Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. [Psalm 55:22]

He is able to finish that which He began in us!

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

V. It’s A Proclaiming Faith!

you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excel-lencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. [1 Peter 2:9, 10]

Jesus gave His final instructions to His disciples as He ascended into heaven to be with the Father,

“you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]

But most of all ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IT IS …

VI. A Saving Faith!

For by grace are you saved, through faith … [Ephesians 2:8]

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [1 Corinthians 9:24-25]

Tom Landry - one of the NFL’s most successful coaches was asked what makes a champion. “A champion is simply someone who will not give up when he wants to.”

Richard Blair - says the missing ingredient in many people’s lives is commitment. Many people own jogging apparel but few jog. Those who jog seriously jog in the rain, snow, or wind. The difference is commitment.

Some jog to be seen, but not the serious jogger. And they would never buy their jogging outfits to make a statement.

In fact most are like serious skiers, they’d never spend money on fancy fashion statements. Levi’s and heavy thermal under-wear is what the want; the little money they have goes into equipment. Blair says many Christians are like joggers and skiers. Some are to be seen, others are there for the discipline.

The difference for the believer is not in commitment: it's in surrender. The surrendered believer labors to be a workman unashamed of the gospel and the God of the gospel. Surrendered believers know the Word and the Word knows them.

One thing is for sure you cannot have overcoming faith if you do not have God’s Faith.

The bible also says … faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. [Romans 10:17]

This is the single biggest area of weakness in the church today, biblical ignorance. How can the people of God have overcoming faith if the source of that faith is the word of God and they are ignorant of what it says?

How can God’s team be victorious if it does not train, if it does not prepare itself?

Let me tell you how to be prepared for the eventualities of life in Christ:

1. read His word often, daily
2. study His word regularly, deeply
3. wash in His word thoroughly, frequently
4. share His word constantly, boldly
5. proclaim His word boldly, reverently!

Abe Lincoln - said, “Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier and better [person].”

Suggested close - "Faith Is the Victory" followed by "I Surrender All"

1 John, Christianity, Expository, Faith,
Homiletics, New Years,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

DANIEL 5:1, 30: The River of Life!

TOPIC: Arrogance; National Apostasy, Over Confidence

TITLE: THE RIVER OF LIFE – How God Diverts The Plans of the Arrogant!
TEXT: Daniel 5:1 & 30

“Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand.
….

That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Does Babylon’s fall serve as an example for our day?
CONCISE OUTLINE

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Originally, Babylon was the city of Babel. [Genesis 11:1-9] Ultimately, it will become the Great Whore in the book of Revelation [Revelation 19:2]. The nation was used by God to punish Israel, again and again. In Revelation, it personifies the world and its wicked abominations.

The City of Babylon was built in such a way that the River Euphrates divided the city into Eastern and Western sections. The river literally flowed under its walls.

The city was about 120 stadia square (1.5 square miles) in area, with a surrounding moat and a double walled rampart (each approximately 25 feet wide by 40 feet in height; cited in NAC, p.167). According to Herodotus, Babylon was “considered impregnable”; it possessed “magnificent fortifications” and was “surrounded by a large moat” [the river supplied the moat; cited in EBC, pp.69, 70]

The fact that “the city had not been stormed by invaders in over a thousand years” may have led to overconfidence on the part of Belshazzar and his people. While the king and “leaders of government, society, the armed forces, and the priests … along with the king’s wives and concubines” … partied heartily, one of Cyrus’ commanders “diverted the waters of the Euphrates to an old channel dug by a previous ruler.” Soon the Persian army waded under the river gates and subdued the city. [Ibid.]

SURVEY THE TEXT – Daniel 5:1-30

• 1-4 Holy Vessels Profaned
• 5-9 Handwriting On Wall
• 10-18 Queen Suggests Daniel; Daniel Entreated
• 17-28 Daniel Interprets Handwriting (see especially 26-28)
• 29-31 Daniel Honored; Belshazzar Defeated

INQUIRY: How does Babylon’s fall serve as an example for our day?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. IN ITS DEFECTIVE DEPENDENCIES (Weapons/Wisdom) –

A. The Weapons of Man –

1. David’s Example –

“David said to [Goliath], ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.’”

1 Samuel 17:45, 46a

2. David’s Chorus –

“Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

Psalm 20:7

B. The Wisdom of Man –

1. Belshazzar sought to impress his guests.

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”

1 Corinthians 1:27

2. Belshazzar sought to exalt himself.

“… let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; and let the rich man glory in his humiliation … ”

James 1:9, 10

II. IN ITS DEGENERATE DISDAIN (Power/Possessions) –

A. The Power of God –

Like Herod and Ingersoll [Acts 12:21-23], Belshazzar challenged God’s authority and power.

“And on an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. And the people kept crying out, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Acts 12:21-23

[LIGHTNING] Ingersoll stood on stage, shook fist at heaven, and dared God to strike him dead before he finished his blasphemous speech.

B. The Possessions of God –

1. That which is dedicated to the Lord belongs to the Lord; recall Phinehas and Hophni, the sons of Eli and their temple shenanigans.
2. We belong to the Lord, “if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” [Romans 8:9], and now have the Temple and all of its utensils dwelling in us.

APPLICATION: Cyrus’ army diverted the protecting waters of a great nation and its king … likewise, God will divert man’s plans, and they will fall. Only the River of Life cannot be diverted.

Clearly, Babylon and its leaders weren’t busy seeking “the Kingdom of God” or “His righteousness.” Only Daniel exemplified that quality.

In the days prior to Jesus, John the Baptist’s voice was heard to cry out, “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”! Later, the apostles and disciples would echo the same cry to a world on the edge of destruction.

Since then Augustine, Constantine and Francis of Assisi carried on; followed by Zwingli, Huss and Wycliffe; also Knox, Calvin, Luther, Wesley, and Whitefield; next came the likes of Edwards, Finney, Moody, and Spurgeon; and now by Graham, Falwell, Land, Mohler, Smith, Laurie, Dobson, Wildmon, and others carry on the cry: “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”!

CHALLENGE: In our day as in theirs, some listen and some don’t, but the message goes on from faith to faith.

1. GREAT NATIONS – are made by God!
2. GREAT FORTRESSES –are made by man!
3. GREAT WEALTH – is possessed by man, but bestowed by God!
4. GREAT DEFEATS – are allowed by God –

a. At an unexpected time!
b. In an unanticipated way!
c. By an unappreciated enemy!

A nation cannot long rely on its weapons and wisdom in the absence of the protecting and sustaining hand of God; people and nations can go just so far before they call down God’s temporal wrath.

Arrogance, Christianity,
Daniel, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

TOPICAL (A-Z) - Seed Archive

Culture

About 15 years ago, I wrote a quick note to myself in the form of a sermon seed for use sometime in the future. I don't recall what prompted it but it was out of my prophetic voice, I'm sure! At the time I wrote it, 9/11 and all of its baggage was still future.

TOPIC: Cultural decay; Sin, Worldviews

TITLE: A DYSFUNCTIONAL KINGDOM - Three Deadly Diseases

A kingdom without a king is just a land filled with people in search of a leader.

[VET] An acronym with many ties ... here it stands for Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, and Terrorism

TEXT: 1 John 2:15-16

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

TRUTH: Three contemporary social diseases which find their roots in "self" are having a horrible impact on Western Civilization.

I. VOYEURISM - "the lust of the eyes"

1. A person who derives sexual gratification from observing the naked bodies or sexual acts of others, especially from a secret vantage point
2. An obsessive observer of sordid or sensational subjects

The modern addiction to the visual is symtomatic; TV, porn, entertainment, etc.

II. EXHIBITIONISM - "the lust of the flesh"

1. Extravagant and conspicuous behavior intended to attract attention to yourself
2. The perverse act of exposing and attracting attention to your own genitals

Britany Spears, Paris Hilton, rock musicians, politicians, even the mega-church and emergent movements are part of it.

III. TERRORISM - "the boastful pride of life"

1. The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes
2. The state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization
3. A method of governing or of resisting a government
   

Here our need to dominate rather than serve others is seen.

Easter

TITLE: FROM THE WOMB TO THE TOMB - An Empty Message!
TEXT: Various

FOUNDATION INQUIRY: Various

I. An Empty World! [John 3:16,17] ... a world without light!
II. An Empty Womb! [Luke 2:6,7] ... a Savior born!
III. An Empty Manger! [Mark 1:14,15] ... a child now a man!
IV. An Empty Colt! [Zechariah 9:9; John 12:14,15] ... a triumphal entry!
V. An Empty Cross! [John 19:31-38] ... a ransom paid! *
VI. An Empty Tomb! [John 20:1-10] ... a forerunner leaves!
VII. An Empty Church! [2 Thes. 2:1-3a; see also 1 Thes. 4:13-17 and also Rev.4-22] ... a raptured body!

[*CROSS] One significant difference between the Roman church and the protesting church is Jesus on the Cross! While there is nothing inherently wrong with the use of the Christ on the Cross as a symbol of one's faith (it's no worse than Jesus in the manger at Christmas time), yet it smacks of an incomplete view of the works of Jesus and diminishes His Second Coming!

Fear

TITLE: Redemption - How It Dispels Fear!*

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: From what fears are the redeemed freed?

I. We are Freed from the Fear of God - since He is reconciled! [Romans 5:10]
II. We are Freed from the Fear of Law - since it is satisfied! [Romans 3:21,22]
III. We are Freed from the Fear of Judgment - since it is past! [John 5:24]
IV. We are Freed from the Fear of Death - since it is vanquished! [1 Cor. 15:55-57]
V. We are Freed from the Fear of Hell - since it is conquered! [Hebrews 2:3]

[* From a message by Keith L Brooks; The King's Business (January 1922) p.40]


Wordless Book, The

[Editor's note: for those who aren't familiar with this book - it is a very old witnessing tool, used to share the gospel for well over two hundred years; each page is a different color, each color represents a different element of the Good News, some use more colors, some less, some use different colors, and some use different biblical text; it can be preached as one message with four or more points or a series, one message for each point.]

TITLE: The Whole Gospel and Nothing But the Gospel, So Help Me God!

[Editor's note: paraphrase of the vow made when a witness is sworn in by an American court]

I. Black: Sin [Romans 3:23]
II. Red: Blood of Christ/Cleansing [1 John 1:7b]
III. White: New Life [Ps. 51:7b]
III. Baptism [Acts 2:41]
IV. Green: Growth in Christ [2 Pet. 3:13]
V. Gold: Heaven [John 14:2]

Homiletics, Preaching, Sermons