Who's Gonna Win

What does it mean to win?

The opportunity to win must start with a contest or a battle

The foundation for a contest or battle, is opposition

The purpose for a contest or a battle is to conquer

What are we fighting for?

What is our end goal?

1 Timothy 6:12 NASB95

12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Why is it vital that we win?

John 3:36 NASB95

36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Galatians 6:8 NASB95

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Romans 6:22–23 NASB95

22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NASB95

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

We must know why we are fighting if we hope to win

Who is our opposition?

We must identify our opponent or enemy if we hope to win

1 Peter 5:8 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

John 10:10 NASB95

10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Ephesians 6:10–12 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

What does it take to conquer?

We must use the proper weapons if we hope to win

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 NASB95

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Ephesians 6:13–17 NASB95

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The secret to winning

Knowing that we can’t win without God’s help

Exodus 14:14 NASB95

14 “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”

Psalm 144:1 NASB95

1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle;

Psalm 18:34 NASB95

34 He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Proverbs 21:31 NASB95

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.