Text: 1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Introduction:

    a.           Overcome is used 28 times in the New Testament, 24 times by John.

NT:3528 ‎nika/w ‎nikao (nik-ah'-o); from NT:3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively):
KJV - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

    b.          Overcomer’s are born of God. (That gets you into the game)

1 John 5:4a

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

    c.           Victory is used only once.

NT:3529 ‎ni/kh ‎nike (nee'-kay); apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), i.e. (figuratively) the means of success: It literally means victory.

    d.          Overcomer’s exercise their faith

1 John 5:4b

…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

    e.           All overcomers are saved, not all saved are overcomers

All faithful are saved, not all saved are faithful.

All church members are saved, not all saved are church members

    1.          We Already Have The Victory

    a.           Jesus has already won the victory. But what if He had not gone to the cross?

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

    b.          The victory is ours, all we have to do is claim it.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

    c.           Example: 2 football teams (1 good - 1 bad). Why might they lose?

    1.          Don’t show up

    2.          Play for the other teem

    3.          Take the other team for granted

    2.          What Must We Do To Claim the Victory?

    a.           Faith = Choose

1 John 5:4b

…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

    b.          Moses by faith made Christ his Choose

Hebrews 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

    c.           We always have a choice

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

    3.          Examples of Claiming the Victory By Faith

    a.           Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

    b.          Daniel

    c.           Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

    d.          Lack of faith

(In chapter 8, Jesus healed: A Leaper, The Centurion’s Lame Servant and Peter’s Mother in law)

Matthew 8:23-27

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

    e.           Elisha and his Servant

2 Kings 6:15-17

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

    4.          Two Things to Overcome

    a.           Sin

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Galatians 5:19-21 (List of Sins)

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 John 1:9; 2:1

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Psalms 25:11

11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

    b.          Emotions

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

To win the victory in Jesus we must admit we are: (sinners / despondent, depressed, discouraged). We pray, Lord I don’t want to be…(in Aloha). We must admit where we are.

Psalms 25:16-18

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

    5.          Closing

    a.           Serving God is Easy

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

    b.          Serving Sin is Hard

Acts 26:14

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

    c.           We Overcome by the Blood of the Lamb

Revelation 12:10-11

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.