The Answer of the Cross for Victory

We are ending a series on the Cross

The cross is Foolishness to the world, but for us who are being saved, is the power of God.

1Co 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God's grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.

Our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom, chose to use the cross to display His power, to a perishing world, the cross became God’s answer for the salvation of humanity.

The cross is the answer for our victory

At the cross God provided the answer for reconciliation, for sin and death, for healing for justice and mercy, forgiveness, salvation, and a victorious walk.

My deep appreciation and thankfulness to Joe Portale, Aaron Baker, David Hamilton for their contribution to this series.

Let’s pray

1 We walk in victory because of His presence in us

The bible never promised a life here on earth without conflicts and tribulation, what Jesus did promised us, is that he would be with us to the very end, and if we believe in him we will never die.

this pandemic has not been easy for anyone, we had to accommodate so many changes as a church, for others it became a life change, businesses shutdown, lost of jobs, the need of even moving away from Hawaii.

We got here, after praying and believing for a great awakening a revival, our churches our pastors all praying for that. God has not abandon us.

During difficult times, the message of the cross becomes even more significant, Jesus conquered death and He is right here with us.

John’s revelation, for all of us.

Rev 1:17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God],

Rev 1:18 and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).

The most difficult challenge we will walk through is death, our physical death, Jesus has the keys of death and of Hades, you will only depart from earth at His will,

We know by now that without Him we could not make it this far, His hand of mercy is over our lives, He sustain us.

In the book of Daniel we read about his 3 teenage friends who refuse to bow down to the golden statue of the king Nebuchadnezzar, their choice would cost their lives, but Jesus enter the furnace with them, and they came out alive and well. Our day will come when Jesus says so.

King Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest and most powerful of all the Babylonia kings.

Daniel 3:16-25

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty."

25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

We know that even if He does not deliver us from the fire, He will be right there walking with us.

Our Heavenly Father is with us during this pandemic, and we will get through it.

2 We walk in victory Because of His power and authority

After Jesus conquered death and was raised from dead, He said this

Mat 28:18 Jesus came up and said to them, "All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually--regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age."

Jesus has all the power and authority, and as long as He lives in us, and we dwell in Him, submitted to His will, we have power and authority.

Satan has no authority and we can not even compare his power with the power of God.

If you could just look in the mirror right now and see Jesus inside of you, you would have a glimpse of why Satan fears and hate you.

He gives you the power to heal, He gives the power and authority over Satan and demonic powers, authority to pray according to His will, you can ask for the impossible in everyone eyes, His authority and power is in you.

Joh 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

Joh 15:8 My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.

3 We walk in victory because we have read the end of the book

Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away (vanished), and there is no longer any sea.

Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed like a bride adorned for her husband;

Rev 21:3 and then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God,

Rev 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away."

We know that that at end Jesus wins,

Ex

Our missionaries Mark and Dana Blair, former pastors of Haili church, Mark is a seminary professor, one day he was passing by one of the janitors a believer but not well educated, he was reading the book of revelations, he was curious and asked him, do you understand what are you reading?

He said I don’t understand everything, but I know that at the end Jesus wins.

That’s all we need to remember, at the end of the story, Satan and his fallen angels will be thrown into the lake of fire, and all those who reject Jesus. But those who love God and follow Jesus will enter into the Holy city of God.

Because Jesus endure the cross, you are no longer condemned to death, you are free from your yoke of slavery and curses, and Jesus can heal you from all your infirmities’.

Jesus gave us victory at the cross, we can walk in victory because Jesus lives inside of us, gives us all the power and authority, and we know how the story ends. Jesus wins

All these things takes place in our lives, when we make Jesus the Lord of your lives.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16

To receive Jesus, we need to accept Him as God’s son, repent from our sins and a life of selfishness, asking Him to be our Lord and savior, not that you deserve it, but is a gift from God.

If this is your desire today, please repeat this prayer after me?

Heavenly Father I’m sinner, I’m sorry for my sins, I’m willing to turn away from my sins.

I receive Christ as my savior,

I confess him as Lord

from this moment on I want to follow and serve him,

in the fellowship of his church,

In Jesus name. Amen!