LEARNING FROM THE APOSTLES - PART 6

THEIR VICTORY

-Introduction

-It is a fact that people like to win.

            -Example of Herm Edward’s comment while coach of the N.Y Jets - “You play to win

             the game.” 

            -Just think of all the time, effort and money that goes into the pursuit of victory.

            -When a sporting event draws to a close, we see the celebration of those who gained a

             victory and the dejection of those who fell short of it. 

-ABC’s Wide World of Sports – “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”.

-These were things that Paul understood.  He knew the value that people place in victory.

            -1 Cor 9:24

            -As Christians, we need to enter the spiritual race and focus on the finish line - allow it to

             motivate us to continue on strong in our faith - Col 1:23.

-Having the Proper Focus

-Unfortunately, many people of this world will not share in a spiritual victory (Matt 7:13) due

 to the fact that they live according to the world.

-2 Cor 6:17-18

-If we want to have the hope of spiritual victory we have to be spiritually minded.

            -Rom 8:6, Col 3:1-2

-Being spiritually minded, we will have our focus in the proper place.

            -Heb 12:1-2

            -Phil 3:13-15 - “A sincere desire to know and to do his will, without any wish or     

             preference save to do God’s will, will lead into the fullness of divine truth.  All should

             seek this state” (David Lipscomb, Commentary on Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,

             Nashville, TN, Gospel Advocate Co., © 1980, pg 210).

-Victory Promised

-We must remember that those who live faithfully do not have to question the possibility of

  victory.  It isn’t just possible.  It isn’t just probable.  It is promised.

-This was something that the apostles understood very well and remained focused upon.

-John’s Writings - Reasons for writing 1 John:

                        -Increase the Christians’ joy – 1 John 1:4

                        -Guard them against sin – 1 John 2:1

                        -Warn them against false teachers – 1 John 2:26

                        -Strengthen their faith in Christ and assure them of victory – 1 John 5:13

            -1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 5:4

-Peter’s Writings

            -1 Pet 1:6-9

            -2 Pet 1:5-11

            -2 Pet 3:11-13, 17-18

-Paul’s Writings

            -1 Cor 15:55-58

            -2 Tim 4:7-8

-Commitment

-If we are going to share in the victory, we must make and maintain a commitment to God

  through the Gospel of Christ.

            -We must start the race and finish the race – keep the faith.

-We need to make a personal, individual commitment to our Lord.

            -What am I going to do to become stronger spiritually?  What am I going to do to become

             a better servant to the Lord?  Is there something I can do?  Is there something I should

             do?  Can I help with that?

            -Remember, we are all at different stages of spiritual knowledge, understanding and

             maturity.  We all have different abilities, personalities, preferences, etc.  So, we can all

             contribute in our own ways.

            -Challenge:  Think of at least one thing that you can do to grow spiritually – a way to be

                            involved in the work of the church.  Make a commitment to do it. 

-Think of the commitment that our Savior made to us!

            -The cross is the ultimate emblem of commitment – God's commitment to us.

            -Let’s allow the cross to continually remind us of the importance of us making a proper

             commitment to our God.

-Summary and Invitation

-During this series of lessons, several times I have made reference to the traditions that exist

 regarding the deaths of the apostles.  Traditions tell us that they suffered terrible deaths.

            -Yet, we don’t reflect back upon these men and ever consider the concept of defeat.  To

             the contrary, we consider them victorious in/with Christ and rightfully so.

-When we look at the apostles and consider their message, their mistakes and their

 tribulations we see that as they continued to grow spiritually they continued to grow in their

 boldness and pressed forward to their ultimate victory.

            -1 Cor 9:24-25

-Are you striving for victory in Christ?  Are you in the race pressing forward to the finish? 

 This begins with your initial obedience to the Gospel: 

-Believe – (John 3:16, John 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Luke

 13:3, Matt 4:17), Be Baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, 1 Pet 3:21), Walk In

 Newness of Life (Rom 6:4, Eph 4:22-24)

-If you previously entered the race but have since fallen out of it, renew your commitment to

 God and get back into the race -1 John 1:7-9.