We Are Called to Overcome

A partial set of notes and Scriptures used:

(Jas 1:12)  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Perseveres under TRIAL... NIV

U and I cannot fix the world. THERE is nothing we can do. We can do our best ... yet can't fix the world.
Can only fix ourselves via HS work in us.
We are really NOT fixing ourselves, but on the contrary, HE is fixing us...
Roaring Lion; Heart deceitful above all things.
This should explain why the world is on the way it is...

(Gal 6:7)  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Behavior must MATCH the teaching and principles...
We are NOT immune to the consequences... Cause and Effect always at work.

(Mar 10:29)  So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's,
(Mar 10:30)  who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

When we are faithful and change... we are blessed.
He Instructs us on HOW to overcome and persevere under trial so we can be blessed.

(Rev 12:11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Today we will discuss these 3 elements from Rev 12:11
1 - Have you made a written list of things you NEED to overcome?
2 - Have you asked someone to verify this list?
3 - Have you caused someone else GRIEF due to these items?

FUN is ONLY REAL FUN if it is still FUN the next day.... !!!

I - They overcame by the blood of the Lamb
Rev 5:9  And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
Rev 5:10  And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."

From weak of the world to KINGS and Priests... a MAJOR transformation.

WSJ Oct 8
Harvard debate team lost... NEWS because they lost to a team of Convicted Fellons from a major prison.
Commitment of these prisoners... remarkable.

Col 3:1  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Col 3:5  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6  Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Col 3:7  in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Col 3:8  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Col 3:9  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Col 3:10  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
Col 3:11  where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
 

Have you prepared a RESUME of thoughts and actions that you must OVERCOME in order to progress IN THE WAY.
Maybe we need a little "help" ... in any matter that we struggle with on a constant basis and have not been able to overcome.

WE must get on our KNEES to start this process and on OUR FEET to get moving...

WE need NEWNESS of life. It is NOT random but purposeful, directed, focused with an end/goal/target in mind.

II - by the WORD of their Testimony
Gk Marturia = giving evidence, being a witness, FORMAL evidence
Lk 22:71
(Joh 1:19)  Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
FORMAL INQUIRY...
(Joh 1:20)  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."
(Joh 1:21)  And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No."

Sharing how we came into the knowledge of the Truth, on the Night Much To Be Observed.

FIGHT the GOOD Fight of FAITH!!! That is WHY YOU MUST BE IN CHURCH.

III - They did NOT love their lives to the death

(Rev 20:4)  And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Ultimate test of our committment!!!
I pray and should pray for PROTECTION for God's People and our ministers traveling in Africa ...
Our societies are more and more NON-committment societies... wishy washy.... unlike Rev. 20:4
This can rubb off in all OF US.
HE is looking for committment, focus, faithfulness, study, growth... not the wavering of the waves and tides of the sea.

Rev 6:9  When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Rev 6:11  Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Are you ready to give your testimony... even if facing death?

MOVIE:  HUMAN

Joh 12:25  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Joh 12:26  If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

1Jn 2:15  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Gal 6:8  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Gal 6:9  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Gal 6:10  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.