THE OVERCOMING CHURCH
The CHURCH THAT JESUS IS BUILDING is a TRIUMPHANT AND OVERCOMING CHURCH, that is VICTORIOUS over the tricks, traps, and temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil!
Matthew 16:19-20 – “…I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of hell (Hades) shall NOT prevail against it.19 And I will give YOU the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever YOU bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever YOU loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (JESUS)
IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH
As we understand the importance of the church; come to know its value, and understand better its role and purposes… it makes a big difference in how we live, and our view of life!
God’s design for the CHURCH isn’t for us to be weak, sickly, and defeated. He wants us to be strong, and healthy, and VICTORIOUS!
VICTORY THROUGH JESUS
JESUS WON THE VICTORY over the devil through His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection. Because He overcame, we can also overcome and live in VICTORY!
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have OVERCOME the world.
Revelation 3:21 – 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.
Revelation 12:11 – And they OVERCAME him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
I John 5:4-5 – For whatever is born of God OVERCOMES the world. And this is the VICTORY that has OVERCOME the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who OVERCOMES the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
WE OVERCOME BY FAITH
We CAN experience freedom and VICTORY–- by faith!
Keep focused on Jesus (author and finisher of our faith) – Hebrews 12:1-2.
“Seeing” / “Hearing” / “Doing”… These are things that are all very important to maintain spiritual VICTORY! Our eyes need to be enlightened to be able to know the truth that brings freedom and VICTORY – Ephesians 1:18; John 8:31-32,36; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; I Corinthians 15:57. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word – Romans 10:17. If we HEAR, but we don’t DO WHAT WE HEAR, we deceive ourselves, are unwise, and do not live according to the truth – James 1:22; Matthew 7:24-27.
JESUS IS VICTORIOUS
With Jesus on our side, we can WIN every battle!
Romans 8:31-32 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
I John 3:8(b) – …for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
I Corinthians 15:55, 57 – “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your VICTORY?” …thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s be OVERCOMER’S
Romans 12:21 – Do not be OVERCOME by evil, but OVERCOME evil with good!
I John 4:4 – Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Revelation 12:11 – They OVERCAME… him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…
Romans 8:1-2, 31-34,39 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. … If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
ALL THINGS UNDER HIS & OUR FEET
Ephesians 1:18-23 – The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know 19 … what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And has PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is His body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all.
I Corinthians 15:24-27 – Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.”
Matthew 28:18 – Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. (AMP)
Revelation 1:6 – And has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him (Jesus) be glory and DOMINION for ever and ever. Amen.
MIGHTY SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
Weapons: Blood of Jesus; Word – Truth; Holy Spirit; Words of our testimony; Prayer; Name of Jesus…
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – …we do not war after the flesh:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 6:10-18 – …be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
FIGHT OFF TEMPTATION TO SIN
James 1:13-15 – Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is TEMPTED when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. DO NOT ERR, my beloved brethren.
DON’T YIELD TO TEMPTATION
I Corinthians 10:13 – (God is faithful to help us overcome temptation).
Matthew 6:31 – (Jesus taught us to pray… do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 26:41 – (watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation… the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak).
Luke 8:13 – (some in time of temptation fall away).
James 1:12 – (blessed is the man who endures temptation…).
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation…
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he WILL flee from you.
Special note: – Submission to the Lord, not rebellious submission to the devil!
Psalm 98:1 – Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him THE VICTORY.
POWER OVER SIN
Overcoming power over temptations to sin ( I John 4:4).
Say “NO” to sinful lusts, practices, ungodly influences and temptations.
Cut off all ungodly sexual relationships. (Immorality creates bondages and an entry for demonic influence.)
Don’t be involved with false religions, witchcraft, idolatry, or the occult. Spiritual power that is not in Jesus name is evil. It is an abomination to the Lord!
Resist jealousy; outbursts of anger; and drinking intoxicating alcoholic beverages.
POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 1:8 – (you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
Micah 3:8 – (We are full of POWER by the Spirit of the Lord).
Ephesians 5:18 – (We are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit”).
Luke 11:13 – (…when we ask for the Holy Spirit, our Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to us —that is HIs will, and promise).
Romans 8:11 – (…we receive life and quickening by the Spirit, the same powerful Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead).
John 7:37-39 – (…We can experience rivers of living water flowing through us by the Holy Spirit).
REWARDS OF THE OVERCOMER
Revelation 21:7 – He that OVERCOMES shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Jesus’s Overcoming MESSAGES TO THE 7 CHURCHES in Asia.
Jesus messages to the 7 churches mentioned in Revelation included numerous exhortations to be OVERCOMERS!
APPROVAL / DISAPPROVAL
Things that Jesus approves of in the churches, and things that He disapproves of…
These are messages given to John to pass along to the churches (Revelation 1:4-7).
To the CHURCH OF EPHESUS – the loveless church that had left their 1st love!
Revelation 2:7 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who OVERCOMES I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
To the CHURCH OF SMYRNA – the persecuted church.
Revelation 2:11 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who OVERCOMES shall not be hurt by the second death.”
To the CHURCH OF PERGAMOS – the compromising church.
Revelation 2:17 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who OVERCOMES I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
To the CHURCH IN THYATIRA – the corrupt church.
Revelation 2:26 – And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—… and I will give him the morning star.29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
To the CHURCH IN SARDIS – the dead church.
Revelation 3:5 – He who OVERCOMES shall be clothed in white garments, 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.
The CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA – the faithful church.
Revelation 3:12 – 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.
The CHURCH IN LAODICEA – the lukewarm church.
Revelation 3:21-22 – 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. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
“VICTORIOUS” and “TRIUMPHANT” CHURCH
2 Corinthians 2:14 – …thanks be to God who always leads us in (causes us to) triumph in Christ, …
God’s plans for His church — to be VICTORIOUS!
SCRIPTURE SONG: “GOD IS BUILDING A HOUSE”
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: I Peter 2:5,9; Matthew 16:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; I Corinthians 15…
1) God is building a house, God is building a house, God is building a house that will stand!
It is fitly framed together with the lively stones that gather – God is building a house that will stand!
2) I am part of that house, I am part of that house, I am part of that house that will stand!
Jesus is the firm foundation, I’m a work of His creation – I am part of that house that will stand!
3) I am part of that house, I am part of that house, I am part of that house that will stand!
Jesus died ’n He rose for me – now He gives me victory! I am part of that house that will stand!
Caleb and joshua
Numbers 13:30 -Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to OVERCOME it.”
Special note: Let’s be like Joshua and Caleb! Let’s take the promised land! Let’s see our spiritual enemies overcome! Let’s BE OVERCOMER’S! Jesus’s church, the one that He is building – is an OVERCOMING CHURCH!
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Email: bridge2islands@btti.org ; Website: www.btti.org ; — ”Dan’s Journal”; ”Messages”; Youtube: lightbringsfreedom.com
