Seven Stepping Stones On The Victory Road

Introduction:

How do we maintain a life of Victory?

What steps do we take to see that we remain strong in our faith and walk with the Lord Jesus?

What does the Bible say about a life of Victory?

Examples in the Bible of those who walked this Road of Victory - Joseph and Jesus.

I. Keep Prayed Up

A. Jesus’ command to pray. Luke 18:1

Luke 18:1 KJV 1900

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

He lived what He preached. He prayed frequently and with much earnestness.

He spent many nights in prayer. Away from the crowds and alone with His Father.

B. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

James 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Illustration on Cold Prayers:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations James 5:16

James 5:16

Cold Prayers

Too often our petitions fit the description of prayer given by Thomas Brooks, who said, “Cold prayers are as arrows without heads, as swords without edges, as birds without wings; they pierce not, they cut not, they fly not up to heaven. Cold prayers always freeze before they reach heaven.” To become more effective in our praying, we should heed these words of Bishop Hall: “It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are; nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they be; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be; nor even the theology of our prayers, how good the doctrine may be—which God cares for. Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much.”

James reminds us that Elijah “prayed earnestly.” And what answers he received—the very forces of nature were changed! By contrast, indefinite praying by indifferent people brings little results. Fervent prayer, if it be for God’s glory and presented in the name of His Son, will accomplish great things for time and eternity. - PR.V.

Our Daily Bread, September 14

II. Read Your Bible Daily

A. Meditate on It. Feed upon it as honey out of the Rock. As bread from Heaven. Let it be all that satisfy your soul and its deep longings.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Feeding on the Word

Feeding on the Word

He was one of the greatest rulers in African history and the creator of modern Ethiopia. Born in 1844, he was captured during an enemy raid and held prisoner for 10 years. Escaping, Menekil II declared himself head of the province of Shewa. He began conquering neighboring kingdoms and developed them into modern Ethiopia with himself as emperor. When Italy tried to take over Ethiopia Menekil’s army met and crushed the Italians at the Battle of Aduwa. This victory, as well as his efforts to modernize Ethiopia (schools, telephones, railroads), make Menekil world-famous. The emperor had one little known eccentricity. Whenever he was feeling ill, he would eat a few pages of the Bible, insisting that this always restored his health. One day in December, 1913, recovering from a stroke and feeling extremely ill, he had the entire book of Kings torn from an Egyptian edition of the Bible, ate every page of it—and died.

Source unknown

Sing Song #341 Honey In The Rock

1 O my brother, do you know the Savior, Who is wondrous, kind, and true? He’s the Rock of your salvation! There’s honey in the Rock for you.

Refrain: Oh, there’s honey in the Rock, my brother; There’s honey in the Rock for you. Leave your sins for the Blood to cover; There’s honey in the Rock for you.

2 Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious? Do you walk in the way that’s new? Have you drunk from the living fountain? There’s honey in the Rock for you. [Refrain]

3 Do you pray unto God the Father, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” Never fear, He will surely answer, There’s honey in the Rock for you. [Refrain]

4 Then go out through the streets and byways, Preach the Word to the many or few; Say to every fallen brother, There’s honey in the Rock for you. [Refrain]

III. Keep Your Eyes Upon Jesus

A. Don’t pay any attention to what the world tells you to set your eyes on. Look to Jesus for He alone can satisfy.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

B. Don’t follow after new doctrines. Stick to the “old paths wherein is the good way”.

C. As you look to Jesus you will become more and more like Him. You are what you focus on in life. If you look to money you will become an idolater. If you look at any other than Jesus your life will be empty and without God.

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.”

― Corrie Ten Boom

IV. Seek Divine Guidance

A. Never make any important step in life without first seeking to know God’s will in regards to the matter.

Psalms 37:5

Psalm 37:5 KJV 1900

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

V. Obey The Checks of the Holy Spirit.

A. He is a faithful guide. I have never regretted obeying the checks of the Holy Ghost.

B. What ever we do or say always see if He would be pleased with your actions or words or attitudes.

Ephesians 4:30

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

VI. Confess Your Faults

A. The best way to keep your spirit from wandering astray in the things of God is to do what James 5:16

James 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

VII. Have A Thankful Attitude

A. “Don’t Wine but Shine”!

B. 1 Thess 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.