The Believers' Advantages

Intro

Text - John 16.7; 1 John 4.4

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.

1 John 4:4 NKJV

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Title - The Believers’ Advantages

Background

John was writing from 2 different perspectives -

pre-resurrection

post- resurrection

When Jesus began to express His imminent departure, the disciples began to be sorrowful.

But Jesus explained the need for Him to go away.

He will no only die, He will also rise from the grave!

His death and resurrection will pave the way for the “Helper” to come!

Fast forward to the Holy Spirit dispensation -

we overcome, because there is something in us that gives us the advantage over the works of the enemy -

the One that is IN US - the Holy Spirit - is greater the the devil in the world!

Main Point

The Holy Spirit inside is the the Christian’s great advantage over the devil and the world

What is “advantage”?

a position of superiority

any state, circumstance, opportunity or means specially favorable to success

Advantage versus fighting chance

fighting chance - a slim opportunity for victory through great effort

advantage - predisposed conditions

Which means -

Satan has a fighting chance because (1) he is powerful and smart; and (2) God is giving him allowance to do his schemes

But, a born again, Spirit filled Christian will always have the advantage over Satan, because “the One who is inside this Christian is greater than Satan”!

Key Points

Children of God are “predisposed” to win!

In this life, some people are born with the advantage - rich; in a good environment; etc.

1 John 2:12–14 NKJV

12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Your sins are forgiven!

there is nothing that stands between you and God!

you can go to God anytime - especially in times of trouble!

Romans 5:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18 NKJV

18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

God’s favor gives you the advantage

Proverbs 24:16 NKJV

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Proverbs 24:14 NKJV

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

Micah 7:8–9 (NKJV)

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;

When I fall, I will arise;

When I sit in darkness,

The Lord will be a light to me.

I will bear the indignation of the Lord,

Because I have sinned against Him,

Until He pleads my case

And executes justice for me.

He will bring me forth to the light;

I will see His righteousness.

Note -

being predisposed to win does not guarantee the winning. It only gives you the advantage, but other factors must come into play.

If new birth predisposed us to win -

Knowledge of the Word of God equips us to win!

You were given knowledge concerning the Word of God

From 1 John 2.12-14

you have known him who is from the beginning

you have known the Father

Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV

24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

Knowledge of Jesus helps know the Father

John 14:7 NKJV

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

John 14:16–17 NKJV

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Knowledge of God gives wisdom

Proverbs 2:6 NKJV

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Ecclesiastes 7:12 NKJV

12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 7:19 NKJV

19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.

If knowledge of God equips us for victory -

The Abiding Word of God ensures the victory!

1 John 2:14 NKJV

14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

God grants us our desires towards fruitfulness

John 15:7–8 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

The Abiding the Word means abiding in the Spirit -

1 John 2:24–27 NKJV

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Conclusion

Samson was a type of a Christian -

he was born with a big advantage -

he was born an Israelite

he was predisposed to become strong physically

but, he traded his advantage for the pleasures of the world, and lost it

his enemies were amazed at his strength and potted to find out the source of his great strength

Judges 16.5 “And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.””

You already have the advantage over the enemy -

by your birth

dont go back to the world

by your knowledge f God

dont neglect your personal study of the word

by the Holy Spirit that abides in you

dont neglect your daily fill of the Holy Spirit

Don’t trade your advantage with the pleasures of this world

Satan already knows where your great strength lies!

he will use his schemes to take away your advantage

song - i will overcome