Be an Overcomer
Dan Rodgers
I John 5:4
June 8, 2008
INTRODUCTION: I John 5:4 tells us that the man who is "born of God," overcomes the world. By the "world," we mean the world and its system--the world with its sin, a world, in a limited way, controlled by the devil. The Bible refers to Satan as "the god of this world" (II Cor. 4:4). This is his domain. In Eph. 2:2, he is called the "prince and power of the air." Although Satan's power is limited by God, he still has the ability to make life miserable...and especially so, for Christians.
It is no surprise to us that the devil dislikes all those who name the name of Christ. In John 17:14-15, Jesus said, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
So, then, how to we overcome the world? How do we overcome Satan and his attacks? When we are discouraged, when our best friend has turned on us, when the bank account is low, when sin has crept into our life, when we are experiencing difficulties of every sort, how do we overcome?
ILLUS: At the close of the first day of the Battle of Shiloh, with serious Union reverses, General U.S. Grant was met by his greatly discouraged chief engineer, James McPherson, who said:
"Things look bad, General. We've lost half our artillery and a third of the infantry. Our line is broken and we are pushed back nearly to the river."
Grant made no reply, and McPherson impatiently asked what he intended to do.
"Do? Why reform the lines and attack at daybreak. Won't they be surprised!"
And surprised they were. The Confederate troops were defeated before nine o'clock that morning.1
The moral of the story? No one is defeated until he gives up. General Grant was a winner--an overcomer, because he never gave up.
As we think about our message, "Be an Overcomer," let me give you three things that will be of help:
I. Spend time in Prayer
II. Change What You Can
...
Dan Rodgers
I John 5:4
June 8, 2008
INTRODUCTION: I John 5:4 tells us that the man who is "born of God," overcomes the world. By the "world," we mean the world and its system--the world with its sin, a world, in a limited way, controlled by the devil. The Bible refers to Satan as "the god of this world" (II Cor. 4:4). This is his domain. In Eph. 2:2, he is called the "prince and power of the air." Although Satan's power is limited by God, he still has the ability to make life miserable...and especially so, for Christians.
It is no surprise to us that the devil dislikes all those who name the name of Christ. In John 17:14-15, Jesus said, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
So, then, how to we overcome the world? How do we overcome Satan and his attacks? When we are discouraged, when our best friend has turned on us, when the bank account is low, when sin has crept into our life, when we are experiencing difficulties of every sort, how do we overcome?
ILLUS: At the close of the first day of the Battle of Shiloh, with serious Union reverses, General U.S. Grant was met by his greatly discouraged chief engineer, James McPherson, who said:
"Things look bad, General. We've lost half our artillery and a third of the infantry. Our line is broken and we are pushed back nearly to the river."
Grant made no reply, and McPherson impatiently asked what he intended to do.
"Do? Why reform the lines and attack at daybreak. Won't they be surprised!"
And surprised they were. The Confederate troops were defeated before nine o'clock that morning.1
The moral of the story? No one is defeated until he gives up. General Grant was a winner--an overcomer, because he never gave up.
As we think about our message, "Be an Overcomer," let me give you three things that will be of help:
I. Spend time in Prayer
II. Change What You Can
...
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