Overcoming

How many of you remember the TV show, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? That's a few hands go up along the way. Pretty simple premise along the way, right? You person is selected, they go up, and they have to field questions between first grade and fifth grade. And then the more you answer correctly on various subjects, the more your winnings go up. If you need any help, there's a resident expert, a fifth grader who you can cheat off and get help on a question. Sounds simple. I'll test you on a couple questions. What does N.A. represent on the periodic table?

Sodium. Yeah. What state extends further west? Florida, Virginia, or Maine.

That's actually Virginia. But I mean, I just... There was plenty of other questions along the way of various levels of difficulty. We're okay watching something like Jeopardy! because those people are geniuses. But we think we should know what we learned in fifth grade. Well, I think we can do some more things and take for granted our knowledge about the Bible.

For example, how many words in the Bible have an original meaning that differs from the English meaning today? There's a lot. But we assume we know what they mean because we know the current definition. Today we're going to focus on one of those words. If you'll please turn to Revelation 3 and verse 21. Revelation 3 and verse 21. There is one word that's repeated to all seven of the churches of Revelation, so many of you already know what I'm going to speak on.

So, well, let's read one of those examples and let's dig into this word. Revelation 3 and verse 21. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. So this word overcome is a very kingdom-oriented word. The phrase to him who overcomes is mentioned to all seven of the churches. And God started by talking to the churches and said, I know your works. And then he'd list the things that were good.

And then God said, I have these things against you. And he would list the things that they needed to overcome to ultimately receive the special promises that obviously weren't going to happen in their lifetime, but at Christ's return. So what does it mean to overcome? And is your definition the same as what the word meant in Greek? As you think on that, let me give you a philosophy question that kind of will play throughout this message, but it'll test your perspective.

How much sin are we allowed to have at the time we die for God to consider we have overcome? How much sin are we allowed to have at the time we die for God to consider we have overcome? Let me create a fictitious example about a person we'll call him Jack.

And because I want you to think of this concept, what if you haven't fully overcome a sin? Can you enter the kingdom? What does God want? Does he want perfection? And is that what overcoming means? Or does God just want improvement? And then how much improvement qualifies as overcoming? So Jack grew up in the church, baptized, it would evolve his life.

In the month of January, Jack sinned 63 times. In the month of February that he knew he didn't do as well in the last month, so he repented and he looked to God. He felt God was helping him overcome and he sinned 54 times. March, even better, sinned 43 times. April, amazing month. He had the Feast of 11 bread. He had Passover. He was really inspired to focus on what God said. He sinned 27 times. Then this new temptation entered his into his life in May and he his sins increased to 46 times. June, a bit better. He sinned 35 times, kind of like the stock market. You know, put a line across, it's gradually getting better. Month of July, he died in a car crash. Did Jack overcome?

Is that what God is looking for? Because when I look at Scripture, I don't see God saying to him who improves, to him who makes good progress, they will be my children. It says to him who overcomes. So what does the word mean? The primary word for overcome in the New Testament, the word that's used in these examples and revelations, is the word N-I-K-A-O. N-I-K-A is the best I could get for pronunciation on it. It's Strong's 3529.

It's used 28 times in the New Testament. Excuse me, please.

Now, what's really interesting about this word is it's primarily used by one person. Paul only used it three times. It is used 25 times by John, 16 of them occurring in the Bible where oftentimes he's quoting God, actually. So this word N-I-K-A means more than just to overcome. It means to conquer. It means to prevail, to carry off a victory, to be victorious, is what the word means. And that's different than improving. You and I are supposed to be conquerors. We're supposed to be victorious. It's used in reference to Christ being victorious over all of his foes. It's used regarding Christians holding fast to their faith unto death, overcoming temptations, persecutions, power of their foes. It's even used as an example of being judged in a court of law and winning the case.

Does that Greek word N-A-K-A sound familiar to you? Because it should. Everyone here knows the word. It is the source of the word for a famous shoe company or athletics, Nike.

So Nike was a Greek god of overcoming and victory. Great name for a shoe brand or for an athletic brand. Turn to Luke 11 verses 21 through 23. Luke 11, 21 through 23. See, victory is much different than simply making progress. If you look at a war taking a hill, it doesn't mean you're going to win the entire battle, right? It just means you won part of it. Having a lead in the third quarter doesn't mean you're going to win the game. Different concepts. So let's look at two examples showing that overcome means victory. Luke 11 and verse 21. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. All right, turn next to Revelation 11 and verse 7. Revelation 11 and verse 7. So, again, this word means more than doing well most of the time.

Our faith is pretty flimsy if that's what we think of for God. You know, God can be a victor most of the time over Satan. It's good enough. No, that's not what we mean when we think of God being victorious. God overcoming Satan. We are supposed to overcome Satan. And I can guarantee you, Satan is trying to have complete victory over you and I, and over God. Revelation 11 and verse 7. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, victory, and kill them. So that verse tells you Satan is at war against us. We may not think right now he's at war against us. He's at war against us. And what he wants is nothing less than to kill us. Okay, so, Nikah, we have a bit of a concept now. It means over, it means conquering, prevailing, having victory. Let me go back to my initial question.

What if you haven't fully overcome a sin by the time you die? Can you enter the kingdom?

Revelation says to him who overcomes. So clearly, God is looking for more than just believing. I mean, we know the demons believe and they tremble. So we're supposed to do more than that. We're not supposed to just believe, but repent and obey. But do we have to believe perfectly?

There were many believing people in the seven churches in Revelation that God says you need to overcome. Revelation says we must overcome and be the victor, and the promise is that those who are victorious will attain eternal life. None of us are perfect. So again, what does overcoming mean? Think back to the last big sporting event. And you can go, if you're a soccer fan, to the World Cup. If you're a basketball fan, watch the NBA Finals. I'll just pick on the NBA Finals for the moment. Were the New York Knicks perfect? Absolutely not. But they were the victors. They lost a game to San Antonio. They won the series. Spain wasn't perfect, but they won. That concept is something I want you to keep in mind because I think it's very analogous to what we need to learn about this word. That's the foundation of understanding the meaning. So we have background now, a little bit understanding what the word means. How do we achieve it? What I'm going to do is I'm going to share several lessons, hopefully to help you and I have a better feel of what it means to be an overcomer. And the first one is pretty simple. We can't do it alone. We can't do it alone.

The churches in Revelation were given a glimpse of what they were doing well and what they weren't, and they were told to overcome. So contrast some of those churches because there's a lot to learn from that. Philadelphia and Sardis were given no condemnations. Does that mean they were perfect? Well, no. Paul in Romans says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. On the flip side, Laodicea was given no praise, no compliments.

So they were far from perfect, yet they were told if you overcome, they could have a prize.

With all their faults, there's still hope. So perfection can't be the key. Paul is this amazing example of being of just disciplined obedience. And toward the end of his life, he said, I fought the good fight, I've won the race. Was he perfect? Well, no, because we know that Roman VII says that even when he didn't want to sin, he still committed sin. And he struggled with that. So similar to the example of winning a sports game, not having the event, not having the perfect game, Paul's life reflected that. God wants us to overcome sin. God wants us to overcome Satan, but doesn't expect perfection of us. We're all expected to fall short of the perfect letter of the law. Turn next to John 16 and verse 33. John 16 33. See, one of the key reasons that Jesus came to earth the first time, and wasn't the savior that the Jews expected, was because without him bringing the ability to help us past our inability to be perfect, to perfectly follow the law, we could never attain eternal life. We could never overcome the penalty of sin. None of us can save ourselves from sin. And as a result, we've all earned death, and we needed someone to pay the penalty for sin.

John 16 33. These things I've spoken to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. So Jesus overcame the world. His sacrifice makes it possible for us to overcome in our lives.

And just like a sports team can have victory in a game, but not play the perfect game, Jesus makes overcoming possible for us despite our imperfections.

And if you're like me, when you first face that thought there's some exciting parts that come with it, and there's some questions that start hitting me, should our goal in overcoming be just improving then? Is that the goal? Improving. Jesus' example would violate the definition of the word if overcoming was just about improving. If you think about what we just read, the example of Jesus in John 16 tells us that Jesus is said to have overcome the world, but Jesus never sinned. So he didn't get better. Jesus was called an overcomer. So it's not just about improving. Our goal in overcoming should be clear because of the definition, but overcoming, yes, it means conquering, it means winning, it means having victory over Satan in the world. But how does it work? 1 John 4 and verse 4, and I'm sorry I didn't give you time to turn there, 1 John 4 and verse 4 says, you are of God, little children, and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. That's the math. 1 John 4, 4, you are of God, little children, and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. So the lesson is we can't do it alone.

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and that's why Jesus came and gave us life.

Think back to the Passover. That's why every year we're asked to reflect on that. That's the critical lesson. That's the joy that's in there. Never are we as human overcomers able to overcome sin by ourselves because we're going to fail.

But we know that we can overcome it by the shed blood, by God's Holy Spirit in us, and that's where the victory is won. It's won by Christ and not by ourselves. Now, that concept also helps us where to focus our energies, right? We aren't focusing on our own personal strength, our own just grit and willpower, because we need to seek the source of strength. Again, the Passover season helps us put away self-reliance, self-focus in our lives, and allow Jesus to achieve powerfully through us. That's what it comes down to, and that's where we put our focus, or where we're supposed to put our focus. You don't need to turn to 1 Chronicles 1611, but it tells us where our priority should be directed. It says, seek the Lord in his strength, seek his face forevermore, or continually. Okay, first lesson is we can't do it alone. It provides role clarity. Lesson 2. The key ingredient to overcoming is faith. The key ingredient to overcoming is faith. The second lesson is closely linked, because we know we can't overcome. We can't have victory over Satan on our own. Jesus is the one that made it possible. He's more powerful than he was in the world. But what do we need to do to have Jesus in us? That comes from repentance. That comes from faith. We have a very compassionate God who calls us and allows us to have access to him in us. And if we have faith in that offer, in the reality of it, it leads us to baptism, to changes within us. And that's where it comes from. Please turn to Philippians 3. We'll read verses 7 through 11. Philippians 3, 7 through 11. To use a churchy word, a Bible word, justification, means being made right with God. That's what overcoming is all about. That justification is what makes overcoming an eternal life possible. And we can't earn justification. That means we need to have ultimate confidence. We need to have obedience in the one who can. Philippians 3, 7. But whatever was to my prophet, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his power, and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead. So the key ingredient to righteousness and overcoming is not obedience but faith. We'll get to obedience. There's a role for it, but we need to realize that faith is the key that opens the lock, if that helps as a way to put it. Turn to 1 John 5, verses 2 through 5. 1 John 5, verses 2 through 5. John is very clear about what allows us to nikah to overcome the world. I want us to start reading in verse 4. Okay, so let's start reading 1 John 5 and verse 4. It says, for whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. Pretty straightforward. Who was he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. So the victory to overcome or conquer the world comes to our faith in Jesus Christ. It's the key. It's the critical starting point.

And so that's why the passage mentions at the beginning that we need to overcome the world.

Sounds great, but how do we live this? The whole world is under the power of Satan. Remember Satan is this powerful, all-ruling force, and we'll talk about that even the next point in a way that even makes it more palpable, but he is ruling the world and trying to control all the parts of it.

Without a deep recognition and dislike for Satan's way, a Christian will not take on a struggle against the world and overcome it. Do we feel that dislike for what Satan is trying to push on us? Okay, so let's recap. We need to obey the law, but ultimately we're doomed to sin. We can't do it alone and we must have faith. So John refers to believing that Jesus is the son of God, and that makes possible what our attempts at obedience to the law by itself doesn't. Does that mean that if we claim Jesus in our lives that we can sin all we want? No. Now let's read verse—go back to verse 2. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. So the Bible is not antinomian, which means against law. The first century church got stuck on that concept. Couldn't understand what was being taught about the role of Christ and how that connected to the Old Testament. Faith without works is dead. We're expected to have faith and works. And that takes us to the third lesson. Lesson 3 says, overcoming requires faithful slavery to God. Overcoming requires faithful slavery to God. Please turn to Romans 6, verse 15 through 16. Romans 6, 15 through 16. What follows our faith as a proof of its existence is our devotion and obedience. We are not saving ourselves by our devotion and our obedience. It's recognizing the formula. We can't do it on our own. We need faith in God. We need to have his spirit working through us. And then with that key unlocking the lock, we need to obey and live the way God says. Romans 6, verse 15. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not. Do you not know that to whom you present yourself slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin, leading to death, or obedience, leading to righteousness? So this is really critical verse. I'd like us to take to certain parts of the verse. First part of it says, do you not know? Okay, so why would Paul have used that phrase?

Anyone in the Roman world was very well aware of the laws of slavery. They either had existed in slavery, were in slaves, had slaves, or were surrounded by a world that involved it. And so what Paul is doing is he's connecting Christians who had previously been slaves to sin to realizing they're now slaves of righteousness. And it's not like faith allows us to live without a master. Remember what Satan's trying to do? And Satan rules the world. Our master is either God or Satan. It's either sin or it's righteousness. And whichever we choose, we're bound by the laws of servitude to that new master. And that's why he says, I assume that you know this. I assume you're acquainted in what's required with the laws of servitude. There's an obligation that they all knew. Then he says, to whom you yield yourself. To whom you yield yourself. So all of our actions come with choices about whom we commit our obedience to. And Paul is talking here about voluntary servitude. Slaves may not have the voluntary option, but we have as Christians the opportunity to choose voluntary servitude to God. That's why he gives us the power of choice. We get the power to choose that. It's not, again, like faith allows us to live without having that master. And that's why he said, I assume you know this. To whom you yield. The things we can easily lose sight of, again, in this world, is this master-servant relationship that we have in the world has with Satan. A master has absolute power over the time and the service of their servants. And Paul is pointing out that if we become the voluntary servant of God, we're therefore bound to obey him entirely. The rules don't change a master-servant. We just choose who our master is. Then he says to obey, to come under the subjection for the purpose of being obedient to their commands. Whether of sin. So Paul is applying, again, that law of slavery to the case that he was bringing up. And he says, if men become the servant of sin, if we give ourselves to the indulgences of sin, we're really choosing to obey it. We choose to let the consequences of what that might involve overcome us.

Maybe we're not always thinking that we're letting those consequences overcome, have victory over us, but there is a choice taking place. The person is giving into their evil passions and desires and following them like an obedient servant, even as it leads to death and condemnation. It's a choice. Yielding to sin means abiding by the consequences which follow it, or of obedience unto righteousness. And so the same law exists regarding holiness and obedience.

The person who becomes the servant of holiness, feels themselves bound by the law of slavery to obey, pursues it to the consequences that God offers, which is eternal life. Turn back to Romans 2 verses 5 through 8. Romans 2 5 through 8. So Paul's expression shows that if a person becomes the voluntary servant or slave of holiness, they will feel bound to obey God all the way through to what he promises, which is eternal life.

That means being fully committed. Romans 2 and verse 5. But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart, you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds, eternal life to those who by patient continuance and doing good obedience is expected, seek for glory, honor, and immortality, but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath. So faith does not remove the need for righteous obedience. Instead, it makes it possible.

Lesson four. Pray to God for protection and that our faith not fail. Pray to God for protection and that our faith not fail. So again, let's return to that initial scenario, that question of obedience I put out there at the start.

The goal God has for us is that we do not sin, though it will happen. We must earnestly try to avoid sin, and one of the key resources to help us overcome is to ask God to have victory, to have strength. It's something we can pray for, and prayer is a natural place to reflect to God daily and ask for that.

Because it would be a shame to have God say we weren't protected because we didn't ask. And to think we only, you know, we'll always know what's coming at us is a very faulty assumption because we don't always know the battlefield that Satan is looking to attack us on. So we should be expected to ask for God's help before we see the need. We need to regularly be asking. Please turn to Luke 22, 31 through 32. Luke 22, 31 through 32. So what we're stepping into is Jesus having some very tough words with Peter. I really would like you to put yourself into his shoes and think of how this would feel.

Luke 22 verse 31. In the Lord said, Simon, Simon, indeed Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail, and when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren. Ouch! How would you and I feel if that was said to us by God?

Now we know where the story ends, right? We know all that happened in Peter's life, but he didn't. Powerful words. We are in a battle over who conquers or gains victory over us. Key takeaway, if nothing else, realize there's that battle going on to overcome you. And the first part of this verse shows Satan's intention. This is not just talking about the apostles, if you believe that.

Trust me, it's everybody who's a believer. Satan is trying to sift them like wheat. So Satan wants that from you, and if he doesn't want that, it frankly means you're already outside his... he's in enough control of you. He's like, I'm going to the next person. I got them under my thumb. We're okay. But there's something else exciting in this verse, which is easy to look past. Satan knows, he realizes that he has to ask God for permission.

Did you catch that in the verse? Satan wants to do this, and that shows an awareness of where our ultimate strength comes from. Jesus has become our mediator to help and to protect us. And in this case, Jesus told Peter he had prayed for him, which is this beautiful thought. We need to ask daily for Jesus to play that role in our lives. Because if faith is the key to overcoming, we have to ask God that our faith not fail. And I don't do that enough. And notice it didn't ask for the faith to be strong.

Let's just have strong enough faith that we could block off everything that comes. No. It needs to be something that does not fail. Because when we're, what Jesus set up pretty clearly is that serious testing is going to come, just like it came to Peter, it's going to come in our lives. And the issue is when that happens, when we buckle at times, when we may occasionally make the mistakes, that we don't totally fail, that we have the strength to continue forward from Satan, from perils. So do you see the link, though, between this verse and whether we must live perfectly without sin? Jesus says, when you return. So perfection isn't the goal. What he's saying is he knew Peter was going to reject him in sin, but rather than condemning him for failing to overcome and giving up on Peter, Jesus says he focused on faith. He focused on building the character within him. And he said, you're going to sin. The question is, what are you going to do after you make a mistake? What are you going to do after we aren't the person we want to be? And that's what God is shaping in us. Do we repent and refocus our efforts to obey the to be strengthened with Jesus in us, to strengthen others, to build up those around us, or just continue sinning? Do we give up on ourselves? Because Jesus knew Peter was going to sin and he didn't give up on him. He's not going to give up on us, but we can give up on ourselves is what can often happen. So his focus on what Peter would do after the sin occurred. And we need to pray for God's help in strengthening our faith and overcoming. All right, lesson five. Look deep within to identify the overcoming force in your life. Look deep within to identify the overcoming force in your life. Turn to 2 Peter 2 in verse 19. In this next verse, you're going to see, again, this connection between slavery and overcoming. And we naturally, in this day and age, have so much focus on human rights, civil rights, that this concept of slavery, it's just, it doesn't connect to us in the same way. It happens in parts of the world. Don't get me wrong. And there's, in this country, there's things that have happened, but it's not nearly as prevalent as it was before. Overcoming requires complete devotion and not what's comfortable. 2 Peter 2 in verse 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants, the slaves of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome, of the same as he brought into bondage. Okay, so stop there for a second. For of whom a man is overcome, I'd argue that could be better stated in our modern vernacular by what anyone is overcome.

So I ask you, by what are you letting yourself be overcome by? What am I? Because remember, overcoming means to gain victory over to conquer. What are we allowing to have mastery over us? Is it anger? Is it greed? Is it shame? Is it physical ailments? Is it doubt? Is it sensuality? Is it pride? You just fill in the blank. It's not a comfortable set of questions. But with the person who's sinned 35 times in a month, what were they allowing to have mastery over them? What were they allowing to have mastery over them? I mean, they certainly were doing some things right, but where was the heart? God says he looks at our heart. Was it that they just weren't, they were avoiding temptations and that's why they were doing well? Or was there choice involved? What are you and I doing to make sure we're letting God be our master in Christ to work through us? And that frames all the lessons to the churches of revelations. The Laodiceans were called lukewarm, right? But think of what that means. That doesn't mean there was no zeal there. They had passion for God, but they also had equal passion for other things. Lukewarm.

Being tepid means there were some things they did not need to overcome. And there are other things they did. They weren't entirely dead. They had some works, but the problem is they were blind to their own condition and felt they were consistently doing right. They didn't get it. They didn't see themselves. And that lack of letting God be the one to overcome in their lives is why he was going to spew them out if they didn't repent. Lesson one. We can't do it on our own. They didn't get it. The problem was being more self-satisfied than God-reliant. And I think we can fight that. Are we self-satisfied or are we God-reliant?

They had a loss, this zeal, for God's priorities. They weren't helping others. They weren't looking for results other than through themselves. Do you look for results where you are in control, and you are the one who likes to control the variables and the pieces around you? Is that the only place happiness comes? Because that's slippery slope. Satan falls prey to that all the time. God's calling gives us the power to overcome. But after being called, we have to choose daily whether we let God overcome that day and the next day, or whether we let the pollution of the world overcome and reclaim us. It's the daily battle of overcoming. Who is our master? What are we doing? There's this quote that I used to have on my desk at work, and I had the picture of a boat, a sail ship. You could see the land in the background, and it said, you can't find new lands unless you are willing to lose sight of the shore. You can't find new lands unless you're willing to lose sight of the shore. Are we willing to lose sight of Satan's ways? Romans 12 and verse 21 says, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Choice is involved here. What are we overcome by? And that's the key question for lesson 5. And maybe your response is you're overcome by God. You have his Spirit living in you. Great! Does that overcoming force in your life vary in priority from what it was yesterday to what it'll be tomorrow to a month from now? Something to think about. Lesson 6. Overcoming requires marathon endurance and not sprint exertion.

Overcoming requires marathon endurance and not sprint exertion. Let's start by reading 2 Peter 2.19 again, and then we'll go on to the next verses. It said, While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servant of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage, slavery. For if after they had escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and savored Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, conquered, victory over, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

That's a pretty tough word. If you and I aren't certain what has mastery in our lives, then we've probably got a problem.

Who is master in our lives? And if our priorities change regularly, we've got a problem.

Let's use a physical example. How many of you have either yourself made or know others who've made New Year's resolutions? You probably all come to that point where you get, you know, just there's something about a turning of a point in life, like, I do better now. I'm going to be a different person. And then it gets hard. And then we fall off. Gyms sell more memberships in December, and then people don't fulfill them in January or stop going at that point. Or other parts of life can kick in and we could say, you know, I've got to make a will. I've got to make a will. And then we don't. Baptism can be a commitment we put off for some people. And that's a dangerous, dangerous game to play. Is it something that we're saying, I'll get to it. I'll know it when I need it. Kind of like that will concept. You know, I'll write my will before I die. I got it. Just don't. I'm okay now. I'm feeling good and healthy. Do we treat God that way? That's the sprint mentality. That's figuring that will recognize the signs will quickly sprint into God's grace. Whoo! Please turn to Matthew 24, 12 through 13, because that's not what overcoming is about. Matthew 24, 12 through 13, it's like fool's gold. It's this comfort of a New Year's resolution. Going to those gyms the first week, it feels good. You're like, oh, it feels good. I have that flowing through my body. Oh, I'm a little sore. That's great. And then it's a long drive and things get busy and it's cold and all these things that stop us from doing it. That is why God gives us the Passover again, to recalibrate us every year. Passover doesn't make us repent. It over, it refocuses us on overcoming.

And the dire need for God to be leading us, because we realize we can't do it our own. That's less than a Passover, right? The Bible gives us very clear warning about people who don't stick to their calling. Matthew 24 in verse 12, and because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Not might, will, but he who endures to the end, the same shall be saved. So the love of many will grow cold. What does that mean?

It means it was warm at one time. It means, I would venture, that they choose to move towards self-interest versus God-reliance. And we all struggle with that at times. It's very common.

And I think a clear example is, again, Laodicea. If the Laodiceans lost their first love, that means they had it. They had it. They felt passion and zeal. And Laodicea, if you ever go, there was a fascinating visit to see the seven churches, but it was the banking center for all of Asia Minor. So they thought they had physical and spiritual riches. They didn't need anything. Where do we put our focus? You may say, well, I'm not physically rich. Do you feel spiritually rich enough? Do you feel satisfied? Are you content with what you know of the Bible or how you serve and give and live? God is not looking for those who can ace a religious exam, but those who submit to Him and let Him through us overcome and conquer the evil that is surrounding us, that's in our nature, that makes us just say, oh, I'm so sorry I let you down. Yeah, that's what we experience in life. Please turn to Matthew 13 verses 1 through 12. Matthew 13, 1 through 12. Another quote I read that I like a lot says, if you want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

If you want to do something, you'll find a way. And if you don't, you will find an excuse. Any parent has seen that one with their kids along the way, but God sees it in us. And so whether it's this New Year's resolution or a delay in making a will or dieting or exercise or whatever, it's very true. But it also happens to us religiously. Our desire or selfishness can cause us to find a way to sin. We've grown up with it. It's the atmosphere. It's our default nature. Matthew 13, 1. On the same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to him, so that he got into a boat and sat, and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth, and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no roots, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has an ear to hear let him hear. And the disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered and said to them, Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. But to them it has not been given. For whoever has to him more will be given, and he will have abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

So, very well-known lesson we've all heard many, many times, but it links to what we're talking with overcoming in many ways. In this parable, a sower's seed falls on multiple grounds, right? Some falls by the side, and birds pick them up. Some on sony places. Some die under bright sun. Some thorns get to them.

And others landed on good ground and grew. In each of these situations, God's seed was sown. So, he extends a calling to those being referenced in this parable. Everybody here has that same opportunity and calling that's been given to them. The parable doesn't stop saying, as long as you have the seed, you're guaranteed to live happily ever after. That's now what happened. And different things happened, which caused most of the seed, at least in this parable, not to grow. I'm not saying it's necessarily the lesson being taught by it, but it's interesting. If you want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse. In our spiritual lives, I guess it could be restated. If we want to overcome, we'll trust God and follow his way. If we don't, we'll find an excuse.

What do we do spiritually? Salvation will be given based on a lifetime of achievements and not just momentary successes. And it's not by us. It's by us submitting to God, working through us. One other parallel to pull from this message is to look at the seed that landed on good grounds, that yielded a crop. Because you remember we spoke about God not looking for the perfect game, but for us being victorious. And clearly, each of the good grains would be described as overcoming. But the parable mentions some yielding 100 and some 60 and some 30. So that shows differences in how well we grow, how well we overcome. And that's understood. As we conclude, please turn to Galatians 6 and verse 9. We're all going to have these ups and downs as we learn to submit to God. And that's why God says he'll have times of pruning us. No one likes that thought of having parts of us cut off and the ouch involved, but that's part of what we're being shaped into. Overcoming is not about the perfect game, but about ultimately being one who God is confident will submit to him. To overcome evil by choosing God in their lives, to bear fruit.

And so, of course, is that us? Is that...

If it is, you know, stick to it. If not, overcome, well, you still have a chance. Galatians 6-9. And let us not grow weary while doing good. For in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. So, you know, our calling in this life is about continually growing in faith and not experiencing these bursts of faith that then... We're tired. I've been in the church 40 years. I'm getting old. I'm done. That's... Satan's glad to win the last lap. He... you know, you can have a lead up to the last two minutes of the game. He just wants to win the end. Where are we at?

Let me finish, though, by putting a little bit of a carnal question, but I think it's an important one in this. What's in it to us if we overcome?

There's actually a lot of beautiful scriptures that I'd like us to finish by looking at and considering the prize to those who overcome. And turn to Revelation 21, verses 7-8 to start with. Revelation 21, 7-8. Because this is this great summary of the prize that God is offering to the overcomer. Revelation 21, verse 7 says, "...he who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Isn't that beautiful? Not just most things. All things the creator of the universe can make available, and we'll be spiritual members of his family. Now, the tone quickly changes in the next verse. That whole consequence concept of us choosing. What happens to those who do not overcome? "...but the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone." Which is the second death. Two choices. Contrast. Who is our master? Who are we letting overcome us? Who are we a slave to? And if we're approaching our calling as a sprint, and not looking at it as this lifetime marathon, we may be in good place at the time, but we're apt to get weary and realize the end is crossing that final finish line. Everything else is a journey there, and the balance sheet of judgment comes at the end of our life. All right. Turn now to Revelation 2 if you want to follow, but I'm going to go quickly through— we talked about all the churches and revelations being given a promise. Let me read through some of those, because they apply to all of us in the church. Revelation 2.7. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2.11. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 2.17. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna to eat, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone a new name, written which no one knows except him who receives it. Verse 26. And he who overcomes and keeps my works until the end. To him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron. They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessel as I also have received from my father, and I will give him the morning star. Now go to Revelation 3.5. It says, But he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garment, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. Verse 12. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and I will write on him my new name. And finally, Revelation 3, verse 21. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne.

Beautiful promises. And they were extended to seven churches that God condemned for not being perfect, but recognized their efforts and their potential and what he was working in them. And the key was if the people would overcome. And that same key applies to us for every single one of those promises. So at the end of the day, we're in a struggle for life and death, and Satan is trying to make war against us, to sift us as we to kill us.

To see that, turn to Revelation 17 and verse 14. It's a final verse. Revelation 17 and verse 14. Do you see overcoming that way? It's different than probably the word that we might have thought from just the English definition. Do we extend the same passion as if someone was trying to kill us and we had to fight for our lives every day? Revelation 17 and 14. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and those who are with Him are called chosen and faithful. The Lamb will overcome them. Definitive statement. Jesus will ultimately gain the victory over Satan and the beast. So no matter how hard Satan tries, he will never be able to extinguish God's true church.

And in spite of all the oppositions and the persecutions and the mistakes we make, if we let God work through us, if we put our faith in Him, if we repent, we can be overcomers. No matter what Satan's short-term victories are, we know Christ will overcome. Will we? Our goal should not be just about getting better, but about victory. And I hope we all can be part of the verse where those who are called chosen and faithful.