John 12:47-50 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Victorious Living, Part 5 Suffering, Spoiled works of the devil, Sacrificial Living, & Sight on Eternity

Victorious Living includes: Following the example of Jesus Living under the influence of the Holy Spirit Growing up in the Lord Prayer Knowledge of the Word of God Sin-less-ness, fighting temptation Living in Humility Hard Work

Victorious Living includes: As we conclude this series today we’ll focus on: Suffering Spoiling the works of the devil Sacrificial Living Sight on Eternity

Suffering Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Suffering Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Matthew 10:22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Suffering We live in a culture of suffering… 2007 Alan Deutschman medical review… It is not fear that most often drives us…, It is, hope. Romans 5:1-8…

Suffering Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Suffering Matthew 5:13 “You are (Who? Those who suffer for their service to Jesus.) the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Are we endanger of losing our “saltiness?”

Are we suffering for the right reasons?

Spoiling the works of the devil I John 3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Spoiling the works of the devil James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. I Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Spoiling the works of the devil Jesus was constantly destroying the works of the devil and delivering people from the bondage of satan. So how do we destroy the works of the devil?

How to win the fight against temptation? Make His Word a priority Do not put God to the test, God will fight the fight for us but we have to be willing to engage the enemy. We need to live under the influence of Grace. Command satan to leave you, resist him and he will flee. Remove opportunities to fail.

Spoiling the works of the devil We need to support others in their fight against sin… Confront religious falsehoods and lies…

Sacrificial Living Philippians 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death —even death on a cross!

Sacrificial Living Philippians 2 cont. 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Sacrificial Living I Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Sacrificial Living 1 Peter 2 cont. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Sacrificial Living Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. Matthew 10:37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Sacrificial Living God, here am I, send me!

Sight on Eternity Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Matthew 26:64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Sight on Eternity II Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co- heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Invitation John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Invitation John 6:37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

So why not today? Make eternity your goal.