Jesus Christ Our Overcomer

Normally we are working our way through a particular book of the Bible. But on the first Sunday of each month we take a break from our series to focus exclusively on Jesus Christ.

Our theme for communion this year is looking at who Jesus Christ is.

Today we will examine how Jesus Christ is our overcomer.

Back in ? my family took a vacation to Yosemite.

Climbing Half Dome.

Back in ? my family took a vacation to Yosemite.

During that vacation several of us climbed half dome (S).

When you hear that we climbed half dome, everyone probably thinks of something different.

If you have been there and climbed it, you know exactly what I mean. If not you might picture us scaling the sheer face of the cliff. Or walking through the woods to get to this giant rock.

The reality is much less exciting.

You see, someone went ahead of us. They created a path, they marked a trail, and when we got to the actual climbing of the rock, there were cables fastened to it to make the ascent much more simple. While still not easy, someone had prepared the way ahead of us.

This is what Jesus has done.

He has already gone ahead of us! He has marked the trail, scaled the cliff, and put things in place to make the way more simple.

It will not be easy, but He has prepared the way.

Today we will examine just one verse. READ

says

John 16:33 NKJV

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Just so there is no confusion, we are going to take this verse out of order.

As we begin this morning I want to examine the phrase at the end of the verse.

“I have overcome the world.”

Overcome – νικάω (nikaō) conquer; overcome; prevail. to defeat v. — to win a victory over, as in a contest or military conflict. Finite verb, perfect, active, indicative, first person singular.

Overcome – νικάω (nikaō)

In this context, Jesus is talking about the world as a system. Society in how it functions and what it cares about and is concerned for.

Jesus is the source of victory over this world.

No matter what we face we must understand that Jesus has already won!

He has gone before us.

He has prepared the way.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Because Jesus has overcome we can have peace and courage in a world of trouble.

How? How is it possible to have peace and courage? That is what we want to discover this morning.

Because Jesus has overcome we can have peace and joy in a world of trouble.

Peace and courage come through understanding what it means for Jesus to be our overcomer.

To understand Jesus as our overcomer we must grasp three details.

Let me summarize:

We want to have peace and courage. That requires understanding of Jesus as our overcomer. To understand that we grasp three details.

Detail #1…

1. The Need For An Overcomer

The need is stated in the middle of the verse. READ 16:33

“In the world you will have tribulation.”

Our first order of business is to define “tribulation.”

Tribulation – θλῖψις (thlipsis) affliction; distress. distress (state) n. — an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity. Noun (direct object), accusative, singular, feminine.

Tribulation – θλῖψις (thlipsis)

As believers in a society that does not honor God or even acknowledge His existence, we will have affliction and distress.

“In the world you will have tribulation.”

This one short, seemingly simple, phrase gives us three important facts.

Fact #1…

The location of tribulation

The location of trouble

“In the world.”

We have tribulation because we are in the world.

There have been various attempts to solve this problem.

Monasteries and convents.

The Amish.

These solutions arise from something Jesus said in turn there please.

John 15:19 NKJV

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

We have been chosen out of the world. This has led some to conclude that we need to get out of the world.

This idea seems to be strengthened by (S).

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

If we need to be careful not to love the world, and we have been chosen out of the world, shouldn’t that mean we just unplug from the culture, build a compound and all live on it? Some have thought that.

However, there is a problem. The problem is what Jesus says in turn there please.

John 17:15 NKJV

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

Added to this is what Paul says in (S).

1 Corinthians 5:9–10 NKJV

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

The solution is not to get out of the world!

The common phrase is that we are to be “In the world but not of the world.”

In the world but not of it

What is often missed is the first part of that saying. We are supposed to be in the world!

We cannot reach people we have no contact with!

We must avoid the values and immorality of the world, but we cannot avoid contact with the world.

Again, We have tribulation because we are in the world.

That’s fact #1. Fact #2…

The focus of tribulation

The

“You”

The believer

We have tribulation because we are not of this world.

We read in that we are not of the world. If we were, we would be loved by it. Because we are not of this world, we have distress and affliction.

The source of that distress and affliction is our belief in Jesus Christ. Look at what reveals (S).

1 Peter 2:7-8

1 Peter 2:7–8 NKJV

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

We bring conviction on a world of unbelievers. Our belief in sin and the reality of a Savior makes them uncomfortable.

Therefore, we are persecuted.

Now you might be asking, “is that always true?” Good question. I’m glad you asked because that is our third fact. Fact #1, We have trouble because we are in the world. Fact #2, we have trouble because we are not of this world. Fact #3…

The probability of tribulation

“You will have tribulation.”

The wording here is very important.

Jesus does not say you “might” have tribulation. He doesn’t say “most” have tribulation.

In this world you will have tribulation.

Again, in Jesus said “therefore the world hates you.”

Paul wrote this to Timothy in (S).

2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

What does all this mean?

If we face tribulation because we are in the world and because we are believers. If tribulation is a certainty, what can we do?

This is where Jesus steps in!

We need an overcomer!

We need someone to step in and defend us! Someone to care for us! Someone to go before us and prepare the way!

We have that person in Jesus Christ!

He is the overcomer! He is the solution! He has overcome the world!

Sing with me…

#350 “‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” (vv. 1-2)

We need an overcomer because tribulation is a reality for every believer.

That is the first detail we must grasp.

Detail #2…

2. The Provision Of An Overcomer

What Christ our overcomer provides is stated at the beginning of the verse. READ 16:33

“That in Me you may have peace.”

Could you use a little more peace in your life?

Me too!

How do we get that peace? By grasping three truths.

Truth #1…

The location of peace

Jesus states here that He has spoken these things that they might have peace.

What does this tell us about the location of peace?

Peace is found in the words of Jesus.

You may be able to guess where I am going with this.

In the specific context Jesus has told His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, about his ascension, and His second coming.

In our verse Jesus states that His purpose in communicating these things is for them to have peace!

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, consider something with me.

Our lack of peace indicates a failure to know and believe the Word of God.

That’s what Jesus is saying here! If you want peace, believe His Word! That’s what it’s there for.

Let’s look back in this chapter and see what peace giving promises Jesus has spoken. , .

, (S).

John 16:7 NKJV

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:22 NKJV

22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

What peace is here?

We have the help of the Holy Spirit! We have the promise of Christ’s return!

Peace is found in the words of Jesus. That’s truth #1.

Truth #2…

The source of peace

We go to His Word to learn of His promises but the source of peace is Christ Himself.

Jesus says, “that in Me you might have peace.”

Peace is found in the person of Jesus.

There are two primary ways that we have peace in Jesus Christ.

Peace with God

The first is peace with God. Look at (S).

Romans 5:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This is speaking of salvation. We are justified, declared righteous, by faith in Jesus Christ.

When the righteousness of Christ is credited to our account, we have peace with God.

Peace of God.

Having peace with God enables us to experience the peace of God. Look at (S).

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

These verses reveal something interesting.

Your peace is not dependent on Christ. Your peace is dependent on your submission to Christ.

Your peace is dependent on your submission to Christ.

If we do not have peace it is because we do not trust God to handle our problems!

In both of these cases, peace comes through Jesus Christ.

Peace with God comes through faith in Jesus. The peace of God comes through dependence on Jesus.

Truth #1. We find peace when we believe what Jesus has said. Truth #2. We find peace when we trust in Who He is.

Truth #3…

The possession of peace

When we trust in the words and person of Jesus we will have peace.

That is a wonderful truth. But notice. This is conditional.

The only way to have peace is to trust Jesus and what He has promised.

Failure to believe in Jesus means we will not have peace.

Failure to believe the Word of Jesus means we will not have peace.

Peace is possible. But it is not guaranteed.

There is a very important point to be made in the Greek grammar here.

When Jesus said that we would have tribulation he used the indicative which means that it is something certain.

Here when he speaks of peace he uses the subjunctive which means that it is a possibility.

Therefore. While tribulation is assured peace is conditional.

What does this mean?

We will have tribulation. We can have peace.

Peace requires the choice to believe. When we believe, we have peace.

This leads me to an uncomfortable conclusion.

When I don’t have peace it means there is something I am not believing.

There is a promise I am failing to claim!

Jesus has made the promises. He has saved us from our sin.

If we want peace we must choose to trust Him and believe what He has promised!

Sing with me…

#350 “‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” (vv. 3-4)

We need an overcomer because of tribulation.

Our overcomer provides peace when we trust Him and His Word.

Detail #3…

3. The Response To An Overcomer

Be of good cheer.

We have an overcomer. How should we respond to Him? READ 16:33

After informing us that we would have tribulation, Jesus says “be of good cheer.”

This makes us question. As it should.

I must confess that I am a little frustrated with this translation.

Be of good cheer – θαρσέω (tharseō) have courage; be courageous. to be confident v. — to have or be marked by confidence or assurance. Finite verb, present, active, imperative, second person, plural.

Be of good cheer – θαρσέω (tharseō)

The idea of this word is to be courageous. That is the better translation.

We are going to face trouble, but we should face it with courage.

There are two statements made here that we need to examine.

In the first statement we have…

A response commanded

“Be of good cheer.”

Or, as we have noted, be courageous.

This is an imperative command.

Let’s look at a few other times this same word is used.

; (S).

;

Mark 6:49–50 NKJV

49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Acts 23:11 NKJV

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Usually when this word appears two things are taking place.

1 - it is being spoken by Christ. 2 - there is reason to fear.

2 - there is reason to fear.

Repeatedly in Scripture we are commanded not to fear when there is a good reason to fear humanly speaking.

Jesus has just told His disciples that they would have affliction and distress.

Yet He commands them to take courage.

God never commands where He does not equip.

When He commands us to take courage, He also enables us to do it.

Even in the midst of tribulation, affliction, and distress; it is possible to be courageous.

How? How can we be courageous?

Great question! Jesus answers that in the final phrase.

His first statement is to take courage.

In the second statement we have…

A reason given

"I have overcome the world.”

This is what everything else hinges on.

Jesus Christ has overcome the world. We will have trouble in the world, but Jesus Christ has overcome it!

How did Jesus overcome the world?

Turn to (p. 1354).

(p. 1354)

Colossians 2:11–15 NKJV

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

This is how He overcame the world!

By transforming the believer! v. 11

By rising from the dead! v. 12

By the forgiveness of sin! v. 13

By paying for sin on the Cross! v. 14

By triumphing over any other authority! v. 15

This is the victory we live in!

? This is how He overcame the world!

This is the victory we live in!

This is the basis of our forgiveness!

Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures. He was buried. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. ()

We can have peace and courage because Christ has overcome the world.

He overcame the world through His death burial and resurrection.

We will face tribulation. We will face affliction. We will face distress.

When these trials come, we can have courage because the battle is the Lords!

We can have courage because our future is secure! As Christ rose, so we too will rise!

We can have peace because He works all things according to His purpose!

We can have peace because He is with us!

Christ is already victorious. No matter what trial you face. Be courageous.

Sing with me…

#473 “Victory In Jesus” (v. 1)

We need an overcomer because of tribulation.

When we trust Him and His Word we have peace.

The victory has already been won. Be courageous in the battle.

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #338 “At Calvary” (Chorus Only)

Mercy there was great and grace was free Pardon there was multiplied to me There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” (Chorus Only)

My chains are gone I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace

Conclusion

We can have peace and courage in a world of trouble because our Savior has overcome the world.

However, peace and courage will remain out of reach until we believe the three details we have examined this morning.

Our challenge today is to believe 3 things.

#1.

Believe that as Christians we will have tribulation.

There are teachers who say Christians should have easy lives. That is a lie.

If we believe that lie we will not have peace or courage in tribulation because we will think we should have tribulation!

#2.

Believe in Jesus and His Word to gain peace.

First and foremost, if you have not trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, you will never know lasting peace.

Secondly, if we do not believe the promises in His Word, we cannot have peace.

#3.

Believe that Jesus is already victorious and take courage.

Though we fight battles, the war has been won. We are simply waiting for our commander to accept the surrender of the enemy.

Christ’s victory enables us to live victorious lives.

Trust Jesus. Believe His Word. Live a peace-filled life of courage.

#372 “Living For Jesus” (v. 1)

John

John 16:25–33 NKJV

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” 29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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