Characteristics of an Overcomer INTRO: An overcomer is defined as "someone who prevails." A. If we are going rise above 1. the hardships we face, 2. endure until the end, and 3. finish the course, B. we must overcome the challenges we encounter on our Christian walk. a. We will face times of turmoil and tragedy, b. but it's our response to those times that determines everything. C. Job faced greater obstacles than any other biblical figure. a. He was pushed to the limit. b. He lost everything, and yet c. he found a way to overcome. d. He was an Overcomer. D. When we study the book of Job, we find time trusted principles that can be applied directly to our lives. E. This Morning I want to share with you 4 characteristics of an overcomer that we learn from Job's the life. Characteristic #1: You must be a worshiper. A. Job 1:1-6 1. Job Had great standing in the community. 2. Job was blameless, upright, God-fearing, & turned from evil. 3. He had taught his family as well v.4-6 B. Job went through The Fire 1:13 1. Lost his family, 2. Lost his helpers 3. Lost his wealth Everything that many hold near and dear was LOST. C. Immediately after finding out the news 1. that he had lost his children and nearly all his personal possessions, 2. Job's initial reaction to the news -Job 1:21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. D. Job had learned of an unspeakable tragedy, something that would cripple any parent. E. Even after finding out this horrendous news, 1. Job blessed the name of the Lord. 2. He gave God the glory. 3. Job had a made up mind that He would not allow his circumstances to dictate his worship. This is the first characteristic of an overcomer. Characteristic #2: You must have a relationship with God and a revelation of who He is. Job 19:25 says: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: A. Job had a revelation of Jesus Christ. 1. He had an understanding about the very nature of God. 2. Job didn't curse God. 3. Job didn't blame God. 4. He didn't fold under the weight of his situation because he knew something that nobody else knew. B. Before God ever parted the Red Sea, 1. Job knew that God was his Deliverer. 2. Before Jesus ever shed His blood, 3. Job knew that God was his Redeemer. 4. Before John ever put pen to paper and wrote the inspired words "for God so loved the world," 5. Job had a revelation about the love of God. a. Had he looked at his situation without this revelation, 1) it would have appeared that God had abandoned him. 2) Job could trust God because he had peace through this revelation. b. If Job had not sought-after God daily and developed a personal relationship with Him, 1) Job wouldn't have an understanding of the kind of God he served. 2) And without this revelation, he would not have overcome. The Second characteristic of an overcomer is having a RELATIONSHIP with God and a REVELATION of who God IS. The next characteristic of an overcomer is understanding the importance of the Word of God. Characteristic #3: You must respect and love God's word. A. Job understood the importance of the Bible...before there was a Bible. Job 23:12 says: Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. B. Job said God's word was more important for his survival than food was for his body. 1. Job couldn't pick up the books of Law and study them. 2. He couldn't read from the words of the prophets and apply them to his life. 3. He didn't have the opportunity to read from the gospels or memorize verses from the epistles, a. yet he still had an understanding of the importance of the Word of God in his life. b. I wonder what Job would have done for the opportunity to pick up one of our bibles and be able to read from it when he was in the middle of this trial? c. How many times have we taken our Bible for granted? 4. Job would have loved to read from it and study it and write it on the tablets of his heart. 5. He would have done anything for that opportunity. If we are going to overcome, we must fall in love with the Word of God. The Third characteristic of an overcomer is developing a love for God's Word The last characteristic of an overcomer that Job demonstrated is that he lived a purposeful methodical life. Characteristic #4: You must prioritize your life and live accordingly. A. Job chapter 31 gives us the following facts about how Job lived his life: 1. He did not withhold from the poor. 2. He was a giver. 3. He didn't put his hope in gold and didn't rejoice because of his great wealth. 4. He served those that were in need. 5. He fed those that were hungry. 6. He clothed those that could not clothe themselves. B. Job was a man who had his house in order. C. His priorities were the right priorities. 1. He fully understood the concept of seeking first the Kingdom of God. 2. Had riches and gold been Job's top priority, I believe he would have cursed God when it was all taken away. 3. Had Job loved his money and glorified himself in his success, he would have never been able to stand when pressure was applied to his life. 4. Job had a solid foundation. D. He lived a prioritized life and as a result, he overcame tremendous adversity. E. Job did not overcome by accident. 1. He lived a Godly life, trusting God for everything 2. He demonstrated each of these characteristics with consistency. Following the example that Job set, developing these four Characteristics, We can overcome any trial that come our way and work through any tribulation that we face. SUMMARY: 1. Be a worshiper 2. Have a relationship with God and a revelation of who He is 3. Respect and love God's word 4. Live a purposeful prioritized life CONCLUSION: A. A WORSHIPPER is one who serves and submits to God B. Having a RELATIONSHIP and REVELATION of God is 1. Inviting Christ into your entire life and 2. demonstrating Christ's life to everyone around you... even those you may not like or understand. C. RESPECT & LOVE for God's Word is Demonstrated by a. READING IT - let Him Speak to you b. STUDYING IT - gaining truth that will change YOUR life c. APPLYING IT - OBEYING God's commands not your desires d. SHARING IT - Telling others what God is doing D. Living out God's PRIORITIES for your life brings fulfilment and purpose. INVITATION: A. If you want to be a worshipper of God - please STAND B. For anyone desiring a relationship & Revelation of God-pray this prayer: "Lord forgive me for my sin, come into my life and make me new, from now on I ask that you lead me and I will follow. In Jesus Name! Amen!" C. For those who want more from their relationship with God: Read, Study, Apply, and Share God's Word every day! D. Lastly, If you need a life that is purposeful and Complete: Sit down and ask God "what is your PRIORITY for my life?" and write it down. Then set your sight on fulfilling God's Plan for your life. 2