Victorious Living 7.1.07

Victorious Living

Sunday  7/1/07 p.m.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).

Christians can live victoriously. Victorious living here on earth fits one for the life to come.

I.          Love the Lord

            God so loved the ,world ... (John 3:16).

A.                God so loved us that he gave his only Son to die on the cross as a sacrifice for sins. Christ loved and gave himself for us (Gal. 2:20).

B.                 We must love God unreservedly. We must love our fellowmen also. Love never fails, for God is love. Love brings victory (Luke 10:27-37).

II.        Live the Life

            Strengthened with all might. according to his glorious power ... (Col. 1:11).

A.                Many people make a good start. Then they begin to think they cannot live the Christian life. Soon they give up in de­spair. (Mt. 13:20-21)

B.                 We cannot live the Christian life within our own power, (John 15:5). How­ever, we must never stop trying. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4: 13).

III.       Lift the Load

            That ye might walk worthy of the Lord ... being fruitful in every good work ... (Col. 1:10).

A.                Some Christians push down those who are already down. They do this to lift their             own sagging ego.

B.                 Our task is to lift the load of others. We must help the needy, lighten burdens,       comfort the lonely, and love the unlovely (Col. 3:12, Gal. 6:2-3).

IV.       Lead the Lost

            But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him ... (Eph. 4:/5).

A.        A smile, a kind word, a friendly response may be the means by which the Spirit-                            filled Christian can lead the lost to Christ. We are His Ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).

B.        Love the Lord; live the life; lift the load; and, lead the lost to Christ-and you will                          enjoy victorious living.