I. Introduction
A. Tough Week
1. This has been a rough week.
2. It seems like nothing but bad news has prevailed.
3. My sermon this morning is not meant to diminish the events of the week.
4. The sermon this morning is meant to remind us of something very important; something so important we cannot forget it.
B. Equipped for the War
1. Last week, we started our series on being Equipped for War. Our lesson today is a brief pause in that series, but it’s all connected to the spiritual war we’re in.
2. We examined Ephesians 6:10-12 and were reminded who our enemy really is (Satan & his cronies), the enemy’s strategy (1 John 2:15-17), and the enemy’s weakness (God).
3. This morning, I want us to remember something important about this spiritual war: we are victors.
C. Fighting the Good Fight
1. In 1 Timothy 6:11-12, Paul writes to challenge Timothy to fight the good fight of the faith against those who would destroy it as he records, But as for you, O man of God… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2. In the second letter, he returns to the idea, this time speaking of how he now approaches the end of his time on earth in 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
3. What does living the victorious life look like?
II. The Victor
A.
1. Those living the victorious life
have learned to look at the world through God’s .
2. Paul could see the handwriting on the wall concerning his impending death. More importantly, Paul had learned to look at the world to see it as God sees it.
a. He realized that there are people who have the vision of godlessness (2 Tim 3). This is the reality of humanity. There will always be people who mock God instead of trusting in Him
b. But Paul also realized that there would be those who have the vision of God’s power through the gospel (2 Tim 2:21-26).
3. Every day, we must find ways to help us refocus our vision of the world to see it through God’s eyes, not my own.
B.
1. We can make the world a better place to live by being the right kind of in our sphere of influence.
a. 1 Timothy 4:6-16 …Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
b. Philippians 2:14-16
2. We are to reflect the light of Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
3. The passage from Philippians 2 is meant to encourage us to remember what everyone notices when they stare into the dark expanse of the evening sky – the stars.
4. Living the victorious life includes being a person who shines the light of Christ in a dark world.
C.
1. Those living the victorious life are of God’s promises. We are not among those who are prideful, but we are sure of God’s promises.
a. 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
b. If you don’t believe you’re saved, why would anyone want to believe what you believe?
2. If God could work through Paul in such a mighty way, He can do the same through you.
3. Do you remember what Paul says about his former life and God’s grace in 1 Timothy 1:12-16?
D. Transformation
1. Victorious faith is –. Living the victorious life means we continually seek to transform our lives to become like
a. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us that we must continually be renewing our minds by being transformed.
b. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2. We must develop a Sunday-to-Monday style of Christianity.
a. Ask yourself after the lesson on Sunday, “How will I put that into action this week in my workplace?”
b. I’ve suggested at times for people at church to respond when someone asks, “What did you do this weekend?” by including, “I gathered with my church family. You know, my preacher said something I found interesting.”
3. Transformation is a lifelong process. We are all works-in-progress.
E.
1. When we seek to live a victorious life, we always seek not only to listen, but also to what we learn from God’s Word.
a. James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
b. In 1 Timothy 4:6-7 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
2. We are not obedient because we are trying to be followers. We follow God’s instructions because they are the for living your best life!
F.
1. Victorious living means that we live as a people.
2. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
a. In the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), a man is forgiven an unpayable debt.
b. When he finds a fellow servant who owes him a small debt, the man chokes the servant and puts him in prison even though the man begs for patience just as he did.
c. When the master finds out what has happened, he throws the wicked servant in jail.
d. Matthew 18:35 So also My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.
3. “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
4. Forgiveness, grace, and mercy are meant to be freeing.
a. Living victoriously means living a life full of forgiveness.
b. All of us have a debt that has been forgiven by the One who had no debt. We should be more like Him.
III. Conclusion
A. The Man with the Golden Arm
B. Invitation