We started this series with Be Audacious enough to confront your enemy. The second week we talked about being Audacious enough to trust the gifts God has given you. Last week, we spoke on being Adventurous enough to finish what you started.

Today we finish our series with:

LIVE FROM VICTORY, NOT FOR VICTORY!

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1 Samuel 17:46–53 NLT

Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. Then the men of Israel and Judah gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron. The bodies of the dead and wounded Philistines were strewn all along the road from Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the Israelite army returned and plundered the deserted Philistine camp.

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We have read this story of David from two perspectives.

Our first perspective is that of David being David. Obvious, right?

The second, perspective has been of each of us individually being in the place of David. David slayed his giant and we need to slay our giants. David, trusted his gifts and talents, we need to trust our gifts and talents. David finished off his giant, we must be willing to finish off our giant-sized obstacles.

Two perspectives of the same story but, what if I told you that there is a third perspective?

What if I told you that we will never finish off our giants, or obstacles if we do not first understand and then live out of this third perspective?

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The Third Perspective –

David represents Jesus

Goliath represents death, Satan and all evil that comes against God’s people.

Jesus defeated the greatest enemies of mankind – Death, The Accuser, Self-mutilation (also known as sin.

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Jesus won our Salvation –

Hebrews 2:14 NLT

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.

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Satan the accuser and tempter, tempts us to act out in destructive ways that lead to death (sin).

This death is both in quality of life and physical death.

Satan then accused humanity before God of their evil ways, demanding that God cut ties with his children and destroy them.

God acting justly and in love – became man (Jesus) announced who God really was and what he is really like, began to defeat the works of the enemy (sin, death, hate, injustice, etc..).

God’s final blow to the enemy was to take the guilt of our sins onto himself, and allow human agencies motivated and encouraged by Satan to kill him.

Jesus is allowed to be swallowed up by death due to our sinfulness.

In the final moments Jesus, an innocent man who took on himself our sins defeated death by rising from the dead. For death had no rights to him a perfect and innocent man.

Jesus exhausted Satan’s accusations against us and exhausted his tool of death.

In that incredible act of Love, God removed the Accusers ability to accuse us, he defeated the death penalty of sin for us, and brought to us a way of life, joy and beauty.

Our victory has been won, our enemies have been defeated!

1 Corinthians 15:56 NLT

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

1 Corinthians 15:56–57 NLT

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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So where are we in this story?

We were the men who were too scared to face Goliath.

We are the men who celebrated in awe when David lifted the head of Goliath in the air.

We are the men who took off and ran after a defeated foe.

You see, with the victory of Jesus secure we no longer must fight for victory but, rather we fight from a place of victory.

LIVE FROM VICTORY NOT FOR VICTORY!

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The difference

When you fight for victory you are at a risk of losing.

When you fight from victory you cannot lose.

When you fight for victory the fear of losing can cause you to quit.

When you fight from victory your confidence will drive you to finish the enemy off.

When you fight for victory, you must also deal with your own Pride.

When you fight from victory self-pride is replaced with worship and gratitude.

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You are sent into this world to stand in His victory!

Ephesians 6:13–17 NLT

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

In battle, you are called to take ground from your enemy.

Once that ground is taken, you are called to stand firm in it and not give it back to the enemy.

You have been given victory and are now called to stand in that victory and not give it back.

Addiction – You are free. Stand firm daily in your sobriety. Do not give ground to the enemy.

Stand firm daily in your sobriety. Do not give ground to the enemy. Watch who you hang out with, remove yourself from influence from your enemy. Stand in the Victory Christ has won for you.

Watch who you hang out with, remove yourself from influence from your enemy.

Stand in the Victory Christ has won for you.

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Sickness-

Isaiah 53:5 NLT

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Stop chasing your healing, stop depending on gimmicks, and cult like practices.

Stop chasing your healing, stop depending on gimmicks, and cult like practices. Jesus won healing for you, stand in that healing. There is no magic, there is no formula, there is only Jesus and our faith in His victory. Stand firm in His victory.

Stop chasing your healing, stop depending on gimmicks, and cult like practices. Jesus won healing for you, stand in that healing. There is no magic, there is no formula, there is only Jesus and our faith in His victory. Stand firm in His victory.

Jesus won healing for you, stand in that healing.

There is no magic, there is no formula, there is only Jesus and our faith in His victory.

Stand in the victory Christ has won for you!

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Healing of your marriage – God wants your marriage to be a covenant of peace and love. God has won this for you but you must not work against it.

At times a husband or wife can get impatient with the healing process. That impatience can lead to hurting words, hurtful actions, or Bible thumping. None of these will allow you to have what God has won for you. Instead of trying to do God’s work, you must learn to stand in the Victory of a Peaceful, loving marriage.

My advice is to stand in the victory God has given you through praying blessings for your spouse, seek to bless and never return anger for anger or curses for curses.

Live the love you want to your spouse, do to them what you want done to you.

Be a peace maker even if your spouse is being used by the enemy to bring disruption.

In other words stand firm and be what you want your marriage to be.

Stand firm in the victory Christ has won for you!

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Salvation of friends and relatives – You are to take the Good news of Jesus to everyone. But you are not responsible for their salvation. Stop fighting them, as though you can beat them into Christ.

Proclaim the good news and then, let them see the peace, joy and love of God.

Trust in the Holy Spirit to do His work and stand in the Victory Christ has won for all humanity!

Stand Firm in the Victory God has won for you!

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Let me give you

4 keys to LIVING FROM VICTORY AND NOT FOR VICTORY!

Remember the Lord is coming –

Philippians 4:4–5 NLT

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Remember no matter how bad it may look, Jesus has won and he is coming back to set all things to right. So, rejoice, be full of joy.

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Pray about everything –

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Instead of worrying take all your needs to God in prayer and thank Him for all he has done! Use prayer as a time to praise Him for His victory over death, the Satan, and all evil that comes against you, thank him for the victory he has won over your sinful nature, and then, you will experience a peace that passes all understanding. You are not only praising Him but, reminding yourself that you fight from a position of victory and not for victory!

Use prayer as a time to praise Him for His victory over death, the Satan, and all evil that comes against you, thank him for the victory he has won over your sinful nature, and then, you will experience a peace that passes all understanding. You are not only praising Him but, reminding yourself that you fight from a position of victory and not for victory!

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Fix your thoughts –

Philippians 4:8 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Here Paul summarizes what is known as the Sermon on the Mount found in . Satan has been defeated but still broadcasts his twisted view and lies to all humanity. Paul is telling us all that we must set our minds on the way of Shalom rather than the way of death which stirs to life our old sinful nature.

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Learn to be content –

Philippians 4:11–12 NLT

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Philippians 4:11–12 NLT

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

We must learn to be satisfied with where we are at in life currently, while always moving forward. Satan’s first temptation was to attack where Eve was not content. (Gen ) We must trust in the process and realize that God uses our circumstances to mold our character into His image.

God’s goal is not to make us wealthy but rather to help us to become fully satisfied with Him.

God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with Him, and we are most satisfied when He is most glorified through us. -John Piper

And once we put into practice these 4 keys Paul gives us we can conclude

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

GOD HAS GIVEN US OUR VICTORY!

AND WE MUST LEARN TO

AND WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE IN THE VICTORY AND NOT FOR THE VICTORY!

LIVE IN THE VICTORY AND NOT FOR THE VICTORY!