Overcomer!

The Meaning of Overcomer.

Overcome” comes from the Greek word nike, which means “victory, conquest, and to prevail.”  It carries with it the idea of struggle.  We should come to church with the smell of battle on us.  To grow in faith, there is always a fight involved, for we are in an unseen battle…all the time, everywhere we go, with whatever we are doing.  The Christian life is not easy.  Too many of us settle for surviving, when we’re called to be thriving.  We’re overwhelmed, not overcoming.  Friends, please don’t just try harder; the only way to overcome is by trusting in the victory that Jesus has already won.  That’s what we read in Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Understand your identity as a born one of God and exercise your faith to overcome the world.  And remember this, it’s not automatic.  We must remain vigilant against the world, the flesh and the devil.  Don’t be like a guy named Demas who bailed on Paul as seen in 2 Timothy 4:10: “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.”

We could say it like this: Instead of always being overwhelmed, God wants us to be overcomers.  And we are overcomers because of what Jesus has already done.  We don’t work for victory; we have the victory.  Faith is not the means to the goal of victory; faith is the victory because our faith is centered in Jesus, who is the Victor!

1. Overcomers Have: Faith

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.” (1 John 5:1)

(noun) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

(verb) “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

So step one in being an overcomer is: FAITH

overcomers are those who believe in Jesus Christ as God, Messiah, Savior.

You may look at your life from time to time and you may see some failures…

You may say, “Well I don’t see the love I should see at this point, I don’t see the obedience I should see.”

Prior to all of the ‘works’ we have to ask ourselves the question: Do I believe?

But not only do I believe, but understand that what you believe is of the utmost importance!

Jesus is the Christ. He is the Messiah. He is the One who is the object of our faith.

John has made it very clear that what we believe matters:

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)

Everybody believes in God, but what exactly do you believe in Jesus?

“Well, you know, these people are going to get to heaven even though they have a different view.”

NO, they’re not going to get to heaven because Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.

There will be NO victory in your life apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Money, Wealth, Relationships, and success will not lead you to a life of victory.

I know people who have lots of money and they have lots of things but they are living a life of misery.

It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we will find ultimate, sustaining, fulfilling victory!

It is antichristto deny that Jesus is the Christ.

Everyone wants to believe in God, but you better understand that Jesus is God in the flesh.

What you believe matters!

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”(James 2:19)

The demons believe, and there is a fear… but it’s not a belief that leads to any type of change or repentance do you understand?

“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:23–25)

In this context there is a belief, and it seems like this belief is in simply what Jesus can offer the people.

They want a ‘Santa Claus’ that will give them what they want, they do not want a “Lord.”

So what does the text say? It says that they believed but Jesus did not entrust himself to them.”

They believed but Jesus didn’t believe in their belief.

That’s an amazing verse to think about.

It is not just a mere intellectual knowledge but a full-heart acceptance of all that Jesus Christ is.

It is to believe that the man Jesus is God, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Savior, the Redeemer, the final sacrifice for sin and to commit one’s life to Him as sovereign Lord and Savior.

It is to recognize that there is no other Redeemer, there is no other Savior.

Anybody who believes this way belongs to God and will be victorious!

So step one in being an overcomer is: FAITH

What does the faith mean? Allow me to show you something.

(noun) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

(verb) “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believesthat Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

Here’s a problem I think we have in the church, far too many of us see our faith as a noun and we don’t see it as a verb.

When we talk about being saved what do we say? It’s usually a past experience.

The Bible talks about salvation in 3 ways: Past Tense, Present Tense, and Future Tense.

Past Tense “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Present Tense “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Future Tense“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:9)

Initially, at the point of regeneration, our sins are forgiven— entirely and completely. We have been delivered from sin's penalty. Through faith, we are reckoned to be righteous—as righteous as Christ is. This is Justification.

Then, there is sanctification—a process whereby we are being delivered from sin's power.

Ultimately, in heaven, we will be delivered from sin's presence. This is glorification.

This faith governs my behavior, and my decisions.

Overcomers are those who believe in Jesus Christ as God, Messiah, Savior.

You may look at your life from time to time and you may see some failures…

You may say, “Well I don’t see the love I should see at this point, I don’t see the obedience I should see.”

Saving faith then is the whole of my being embracing all of Christ.

2. Overcomers Are: Obedient

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:2–3)

Now remember there are 2 aspects of love: Loving others, and Loving God.

The verses before us make it clear that the way that we love God is through obedience to his commandments.

If we love God then we will be obedient as his children.

The way to demonstrate that you love God is to obey Him.

In obedience we seek: His honor and His glory, to show Him respect and worship, to reverence Him.

““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”” (John 14:21)

So you say you’re an overcomer. You say you’re a Christian.

“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)

Now if you’re a true Christian, if you’re an overcomer, that’s what you do.

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

“And Samuel said, “Has the Lordas great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

This is not legalism that I’m talking about, and it is not a work based salvation.

We are not talking about an obedience to earn right standing with God, but it is obedience that overflowsfrom a right standing with God.

Obedience that is not burdensome, you see that is the key.

All over today there are religions that are based on some type of contract.

You do “this” to please the gods and then you will hopefully be rewarded.

There is a burden but that burden will hopefully have a benefit on the other side.

But for us as followers of Christ this is not a legal kind of obedience that’s pressed upon us and we cave in and grit our teeth and do it against our will.

We aren’t talking about the kind of obedience that is compulsory and dreaded.

We are talking about a joyful obedience.

Oh my friends if we could understand this it would change the culture and the environment of serving Jesus.

How many church goers do their work out of burden and obligation.

Some of us got up this morning and we said this:

· It’s Sunday, that means I better get up and go to church…

· The offering plate will be passed, I guess I have to write my check…

· The teacher will call me if I miss so I guess I need to go to my Lifegroup…

There are some in here this morning and the reason that you are here is entirely out of obligation and you feel so burdened in your walk with the Lord.

There are a thousand places that you would rather be right now, but you are here because you have to keep your end of the contract.

If that is your life, then listen to me you will never live in victory!

But there are some who have been looking forwardto this time!

Looking forward to worshipping the Lord and to studying from his Word.

What a difference it makes!

Illustration: Marriage!

We make following God look so boring.

I want to see a church of people who are excited to be here!

Illustration: Baseball Games

Now I’m not even talking about an outward excitement necessarily because I get that we are all different in our mannerisms and temperate.

Some of you get in the choir and you clap and you sway back and forth and that’s awesome, but there are some of us who can’t sway on rhythm to save our lives and that’s just not us.

Haha. I’m talking about an inner desire to follow the Lord.

Following Christ is not a burden because we trust Him and we know that his plan is better than our own plan.

We also know that God gives us everything that we need to be a faithful follower to him!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (2 Peter 1:3)

John’s statement recalls that of Jesus in Matt 11:30, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How do you view your spiritual life this morning

Well somebody hurt my feelings…

Well I don’t agree with a decision the church made…

That has nothing to do with the way that you follow and serve the Lord!

It’s time to grow up and serve Jesus!

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,” (Romans 6:17)

What a great statement.

You became obedient from the heart; We’re talking about a heart obedience.

“shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;” (1 Peter 5:2)

That’s the kind of obedience the Lord wants from His shepherds and everybody else.

Do it because you want to do it, not because you’re forced to do it.

Think about this those of you who are faithful in your tithing and financially supporting of the church…

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Disobedience to God is wrong. But so is external, unwilling, partial, inconsistent and grudging obedience.

“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.” (Psalm 119:14)

“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:16)

“Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” (Psalm 119:24)

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)

Because His Law is a reflection of Him, because to obey His Law pleases Him and we love Him and seek to please Him.

3. Overcomers Are: Resilient

Why is Resilience Important?

At some time or another, all of us have had our mettle tested and have found ourselves in situations where we have been challenged to dig deep, be resourceful and creative to cope and respond. Even in this pandemic era, the businesses and organizations that have emerged as the real winners, are those that have adapted quickly to the changes in their industries and used technology to upgrade existing services and find new and creative new solutions to serve their customers effectively. Similarly, the individuals who have managed to thrive during these times are those that have embraced change, identified opportunities from the problems they faced and demonstrated the ability to adapt and learn quickly.

Ruth, the Loyal Woman

The story of Ruth starts with tragedy and several misfortunes. As a widow and an outsider in her community, Ruth could have easily abandoned her mother-in-law Naomi and continued her life elsewhere.

But Ruth's faithfulness to God and Naomi was more important. Her loyalty served as her foundation for navigating the challenges of daily life.

"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'"

Ruth 1:16

Ruth's story shows us that God is there for us even in the small and ordinary moments of our lives Just like Ruth, who faithfully faced challenges like poverty, death, and social discrimination, we can get through any struggle, for God is faithful to those who are loyal to Him.

Jeremiah the Prophet

Jeremiah is known as the “Weeping Prophet” for several reasons. He wept over idolatry and false prophets. He prophesied about the downfall of many kingdoms, only to be persecuted further.

Nonetheless, Jeremiah continued to preach and prophesy in the Lord's name. His story exemplifies what it means to praise God in hard times, as eloquently written in the book Lamentations:

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

Just like Jeremiah, may we never be afraid to persevere for the truth, even if it means the world will persecute us for our faith.

Genesis 32:22-31

22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hipso that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a]because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[b] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”