Empowered to Overcome: Living in God's Victory
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the importance of receiving a word from God to overcome life's challenges. We are not called to merely exist but to conquer and prevail through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our journey of faith is marked by trials and battles, but we serve a God who empowers us to overcome. Revelation 3:21 reminds us that those who overcome will sit with Jesus on His throne, just as He overcame and sat with His Father. The Greek word for "overcome" is "Nike," which means to conquer or prevail, emphasizing that we are called to be victorious in our battles.
We discussed the concept of being God's enforcers of righteousness, emphasizing that while God doesn't need us, He chooses to work through us. This life is a training ground for reigning with Christ in eternity. We are authorized to rule and reign on behalf of our King, and we always prevail on the side of victory, even when it seems like defeat. Jesus has already destroyed the works of darkness, but we must enforce that victory in our lives and the world around us.
A key aspect of overcoming is receiving a "rhema" word from God—a specific, spoken word that ignites faith and action. While the written Word of God (logos) is powerful, the rhema word is a personal, dynamic message from God that provides direction, guidance, and empowerment. We need to be in the Word daily to receive these rhema words that can transform our lives and enable us to live with purpose and victory.
We also touched on the importance of living a life circumspect to God, repenting of known and unknown sins, and committing fully to His purposes. This commitment allows us to draw near to God and receive His guidance and empowerment. Ultimately, our goal is to live a life that not only glorifies God but also enforces His victory in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Overcoming Through God's Empowerment: Our journey of faith is filled with challenges, but God empowers us to overcome. Revelation 3:21 promises that those who overcome will sit with Jesus on His throne. This victory is not just for the afterlife but for our present lives as well. We are called to conquer and prevail through the power of the Holy Spirit. [03:51]
2. Enforcers of Righteousness: We are God's enforcers of righteousness, chosen to rule and reign on His behalf. This life is a training ground for our eternal reign with Christ. We must actively enforce the victory Jesus won on the cross, pushing back the darkness and advancing God's kingdom. [05:16]
3. The Power of a Rhema Word: A rhema word from God is a specific, spoken word that ignites faith and action. While the written Word (logos) is essential, the rhema word provides personal direction and empowerment. We need to be in the Word daily to receive these life-changing messages from God. [18:51]
4. Living a Life Circumspect to God: To receive a rhema word, we must live a life circumspect to God, repenting of known and unknown sins. This daily repentance keeps us in right standing with God and opens the door for His guidance and empowerment. [35:14]
5. Commitment to God's Purposes: Fully committing our lives to God's purposes is essential for receiving His guidance and living a life of victory. This commitment involves serving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, even though we may fall short at times. [35:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Called to Overcome
[03:51] - Revelation 3:21 and the Meaning of Overcome
[05:16] - Enforcers of Righteousness
[06:47] - Victory Needs to Be Enforced
[07:56] - Authority Over Darkness
[09:06] - Proclaiming the Gospel
[10:36] - Rule and Reign in Life
[11:54] - Taking Dominion
[13:18] - Sanctification and Discipleship
[14:33] - Living a Life of Purpose
[15:57] - The Importance of a Rhema Word
[18:51] - Zoe Life of God
[20:18] - Logos vs. Rhema
[21:39] - Faith Comes by Hearing
[22:55] - Serving with a Rhema Word
[24:07] - Daily Dose of Logos
[25:31] - Conviction and Encouragement
[26:56] - Church for the Harvest
[28:10] - Living on Purpose
[29:39] - Humanistic Philosophy
[30:56] - Receiving a Rhema Word
[32:29] - Story from Russia and Ukraine
[33:45] - Steps to Receiving a Rhema Word
[35:14] - Commitment to God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 3:21 - "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
2. Romans 5:17 - "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
3. Matthew 4:4 - "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Revelation 3:21, what promise is given to those who overcome? How does this relate to Jesus' own victory? [03:51]
2. What does the Greek word "Nike" mean, and how does it apply to our spiritual battles? [03:51]
3. In Romans 5:17, what are the two things that believers receive which enable them to "reign in life"? [10:36]
4. What is the difference between "logos" and "rhema" as described in the sermon? [18:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in Revelation 3:21 of sitting with Jesus on His throne impact your understanding of overcoming life's challenges? [03:51]
2. What does it mean to be an "enforcer of righteousness" in your daily life? How does this concept challenge or encourage you? [05:16]
3. How can receiving a "rhema" word from God provide specific direction and empowerment in your life? [18:51]
4. Why is it important to live a life circumspect to God and repent of known and unknown sins to receive a rhema word? [35:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you rely on God's empowerment to overcome it? If you didn't, how might you approach it differently next time? [03:51]
2. In what ways can you actively enforce the victory Jesus won on the cross in your community or workplace? [05:16]
3. Describe a time when you felt you received a rhema word from God. How did it impact your actions and decisions? If you haven't experienced this, what steps can you take to be more open to receiving a rhema word? [18:51]
4. What daily practices can you implement to ensure you are living a life circumspect to God and open to His guidance? [35:14]
5. How can you fully commit your life to God's purposes, even when you fall short? What specific actions can you take to serve God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? [35:14]
6. Think of an area in your life where you feel defeated. How can the promise of reigning with Christ in Romans 5:17 change your perspective and actions in that area? [10:36]
7. Identify one specific way you can push back the darkness and advance God's kingdom in your daily life. How will you start this week? [05:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Empowered to Overcome
Our journey of faith is filled with challenges, but God empowers us to overcome. Revelation 3:21 promises that those who overcome will sit with Jesus on His throne. This victory is not just for the afterlife but for our present lives as well. We are called to conquer and prevail through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "overcome" is "Nike," which means to conquer or prevail, emphasizing that we are called to be victorious in our battles. This empowerment is not of our own doing but through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. As we face trials, we must remember that we are not alone; God is with us, guiding and strengthening us to overcome every obstacle. [03:51]
1 John 5:4-5 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome this challenge today?
Day 2: Enforcers of Righteousness
We are God's enforcers of righteousness, chosen to rule and reign on His behalf. This life is a training ground for our eternal reign with Christ. We must actively enforce the victory Jesus won on the cross, pushing back the darkness and advancing God's kingdom. While God doesn't need us, He chooses to work through us to bring His righteousness to the world. This means standing firm in our faith, proclaiming the gospel, and living out God's principles in our daily lives. By doing so, we become vessels through which God's light shines in a dark world. [05:16]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively enforce God's righteousness in your community this week?
Day 3: The Power of a Rhema Word
A rhema word from God is a specific, spoken word that ignites faith and action. While the written Word (logos) is essential, the rhema word provides personal direction and empowerment. We need to be in the Word daily to receive these life-changing messages from God. A rhema word can come through prayer, meditation, or even a timely message from a fellow believer. It is a dynamic and personal communication from God that can guide us through specific situations and challenges. By being attuned to God's voice, we can receive the guidance and strength needed to navigate life's complexities. [18:51]
Romans 10:17 (ESV): "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Reflection: Spend time in prayer and ask God for a rhema word for a specific situation you are facing. How can you act on this word today?
Day 4: Living a Life Circumspect to God
To receive a rhema word, we must live a life circumspect to God, repenting of known and unknown sins. This daily repentance keeps us in right standing with God and opens the door for His guidance and empowerment. Living circumspectly means being mindful of our actions, thoughts, and words, ensuring they align with God's will. It involves a continuous process of self-examination and repentance, allowing us to draw closer to God. By maintaining a pure heart and a clear conscience, we position ourselves to hear from God more clearly and receive His divine direction. [35:14]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your actions and thoughts. Is there anything you need to repent of today to draw closer to God?
Day 5: Commitment to God's Purposes
Fully committing our lives to God's purposes is essential for receiving His guidance and living a life of victory. This commitment involves serving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, even though we may fall short at times. When we align our lives with God's purposes, we open ourselves to His blessings and guidance. This commitment requires daily surrender and a willingness to follow God's lead, even when it is challenging. By dedicating ourselves to God's mission, we become instruments of His will, bringing His love and truth to those around us. [35:14]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully commit to God's purposes? How can you take a step towards that commitment today?
Quotes
1. "We know that our journey of faith is marked by challenges. There are painful trials. We all understand that. At times, there are severe battles. Severe battles. But we serve a God who empowers His people to overcome, in those situations. Can I get an amen?" [02:07] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are God's enforcers of righteousness. He doesn't need us, but He chose to. He chose, I believe, to limit Himself in the affairs of man. Why? So that we would rise up, and we are training to reign for something even more than this, just this life. When we get to heaven, you're not just going to be there playing a harp." [03:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We always prevail on the side of victory, even though it seems at times defeat. We prevail on the side of victory. And, you know, Jesus, the Bible says, has destroyed the works of darkness. But even though that is a fact, that is a legal spiritual truth, that, that victory needs to be fleshed out. That victory needs to be enforced by the people of God." [05:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many know that healing and restoration is still for today? Even though you may not see it as much or may not, you know, experience that, we are to still press in. We are to press in to the things of God. And also proclaiming the gospel. If anything you know about this church is that we proclaim the gospel. Not just here in the community." [07:56] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are enforcers of the cross in that victory, and that's what we're called to. Genesis 1, 26, just trying to establish, if you don't believe this, and let them, somebody shout them, that's us. God, the first, one of the first commands, he said, let them have complete authority, dominion to rule in reign. Not to sit back, not to chill, not to just go through life, just barely, just, you know, just get in a little for me and take it." [11:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I believe that he's saving the best for last. He's saving that his church would rule and reign and overcome. He's not coming back for a broke down, defeated, hiding in a cave, saving up coffee beans church in the basement. He's coming for an overcoming church. An overcoming church." [13:18] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christian sanctification, discipleship is fundamentally a matter of training to rule. All of this, even now, this moment, the heart of God is that you will rise up and rule, and you will step forward. You step out and say, but I tried that, and it didn't seem like I won. You ruled. You reigned. You changed things because of your boldness and Christ within you." [14:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "A rhema word from God can provide special direction and genuine guidance for your life. A rhema word can do that. A rhema word can illuminate scripture. I just talked about that, inspiring you to take action over even a verse that you heard. A rhema word can bring conviction of sin in your lives." [25:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I'm talking about living a life on purpose. How many of you know you can flip burgers and still live a life of purpose? Yeah. Yes, you can. Don't matter. It's not your vocation. It's not what you do. It's not how much influence you make in society and all that and strategic living. No, no, we're not talking about that. It's not about your status in the community." [26:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Sadly, though, many people are just existing. Running on autopilot. And I'm not talking about seasons that we go through difficulty. I'm not talking about this. Their whole life just seems this, that way. Running on autopilot. They live with a lack of purpose. They're in survival mode, safe mode, going out, going, excuse me, with the flow of society." [28:10] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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