Empowered to Overcome: Living Purposefully in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound call to overcome as believers, drawing from Revelation 3:21 and other scriptures. We began by acknowledging that God has not called us merely to exist but to live victoriously, empowered by His Spirit. Jesus' message to the church of Laodicea serves as a reminder that overcoming is not just for a select few but for all who believe, regardless of age or gender. The Greek word for "overcome," "Nikon," implies a battle, emphasizing that our spiritual journey involves struggles that we are empowered to conquer through Christ.
We delved into the concept of spiritual authority, highlighting that we are enforcers of righteousness, equipped with prayer, the armor of God, and the name of Jesus. These tools enable us to enforce the victory Christ has already won. The importance of a steady diet of the Logos (written word) was stressed, as it births a Rhema (alive word) in our lives, guiding us to live purposefully.
We also discussed the significance of living on purpose, using personal anecdotes and biblical analogies. The church, likened to a marathon runner, must endure and persist, keeping the finish line in mind. Similarly, the refining process of gold symbolizes how trials purify us, making us more like Christ. The church as a lighthouse stands firm amidst storms, guiding others to safety with the light of Christ.
The story of David and Goliath was used to illustrate how we can face and overcome giants in our lives and society. David's victory was not just about physical prowess but about having a Rhema word from God, which gave him insight into the enemy's weakness. This serves as a powerful reminder that with God's guidance, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Finally, we touched on contemporary issues like moral and cultural decline, emphasizing the church's role in standing firm against these giants. The call to live on purpose was reiterated, inviting everyone to surrender their lives to Christ and embrace the purpose He has for them.
### Key Takeaways
1. Empowered to Overcome: God has not called us to merely exist but to live victoriously. The Greek word "Nikon" for "overcome" implies a battle, reminding us that our spiritual journey involves struggles that we are empowered to conquer through Christ. This victory is not just for a select few but for all who believe, regardless of age or gender. [02:45]
2. Spiritual Authority and Tools: We are enforcers of righteousness, equipped with prayer, the armor of God, and the name of Jesus. These tools enable us to enforce the victory Christ has already won. A steady diet of the Logos (written word) births a Rhema (alive word) in our lives, guiding us to live purposefully and victoriously. [06:01]
3. Living on Purpose: God has a purposeful life for each of us, but it requires a decision to live beyond mere existence. Personal anecdotes and biblical analogies, like the marathon runner and the refining of gold, illustrate the endurance and purification process necessary to live a life of purpose. [09:44]
4. Facing Giants with God's Insight: The story of David and Goliath teaches us that we can face and overcome giants in our lives and society with God's guidance. David's victory was not just about physical prowess but about having a Rhema word from God, which gave him insight into the enemy's weakness. This serves as a powerful reminder that with God's guidance, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. [30:52]
5. Standing Firm Against Cultural Decline: The church must stand firm against moral and cultural decline, emphasizing the importance of traditional family values, faith, and patriotism. Contemporary issues like educational indoctrination and illegal immigration are giants that the church must face with courage and conviction, standing on the rock of Jesus Christ. [33:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:54] - Introduction and Prayer
[02:45] - Empowered to Overcome
[04:32] - Spiritual Authority and Tools
[06:01] - The Power of Prayer
[07:06] - The Importance of Rhema
[09:44] - Living on Purpose
[11:17] - Endurance and Persistence
[12:46] - Refining Process of Gold
[14:55] - The Church as a Lighthouse
[18:09] - The Rock of the Church
[19:44] - Challenges During COVID
[23:13] - Standing Firm Against Cultural Decline
[27:49] - David and Goliath
[30:52] - Facing Giants with God's Insight
[33:52] - Moral and Cultural Decline
[37:17] - Call to Live on Purpose
[40:18] - Prayer of Repentance
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 3:21 (NIV) - "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. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) - The Armor of God
3. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV) - David and Goliath
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Greek word "Nikon" mean, and how does it relate to our spiritual journey? ([04:32])
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the tools God has given us to enforce the victory of Christ? ([06:01])
3. How does the analogy of a marathon runner relate to living a purposeful life as a believer? ([11:17])
4. What insight did David have that allowed him to defeat Goliath, and how does this apply to facing our own giants? ([30:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the meaning of "Nikon" change our perspective on the struggles we face in our spiritual journey? ([04:32])
2. In what ways can a steady diet of the Logos (written word) lead to a Rhema (alive word) in our lives? ([07:06])
3. How can the refining process of gold be seen as a metaphor for the trials we face as Christians? ([12:46])
4. What does it mean for the church to stand firm against moral and cultural decline, and how can we practically do this in our communities? ([33:52])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent struggle you faced. How did you approach it, and how might understanding "Nikon" as a battle change your approach in the future? ([04:32])
2. Identify one area in your life where you can use the tools of prayer, the armor of God, or the name of Jesus to enforce Christ's victory. How will you implement this in the coming week? ([06:01])
3. Think of a time when you felt like you were just existing rather than living purposefully. What steps can you take to live more intentionally, like the marathon runner analogy? ([11:17])
4. What "giants" are you currently facing in your life or society? How can you seek God's guidance to find their weaknesses and overcome them, as David did with Goliath? ([30:52])
5. How can you and your small group stand firm against cultural and moral decline in your community? What specific actions can you take to uphold traditional family values, faith, and patriotism? ([33:52])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt purified through a trial. How did this experience make you more like Christ, and how can you embrace future trials with a similar mindset? ([12:46])
7. How can you ensure that your life is guided by a Rhema word from God? What practices can you adopt to regularly receive and act on God's alive word? ([07:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Empowered to Overcome
God has not called us to merely exist but to live victoriously. The Greek word "Nikon" for "overcome" implies a battle, reminding us that our spiritual journey involves struggles that we are empowered to conquer through Christ. This victory is not just for a select few but for all who believe, regardless of age or gender. As believers, we are called to rise above our challenges and live in the victory that Christ has already secured for us. This empowerment is available to everyone who believes, and it transcends all barriers, including age and gender. [02:45]
Revelation 3:21 (ESV): "The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne."
Reflection: What is one specific struggle you are facing today? How can you rely on Christ's empowerment to overcome it?
Day 2: Spiritual Authority and Tools
We are enforcers of righteousness, equipped with prayer, the armor of God, and the name of Jesus. These tools enable us to enforce the victory Christ has already won. A steady diet of the Logos (written word) births a Rhema (alive word) in our lives, guiding us to live purposefully and victoriously. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God and utilizing the spiritual tools He has provided, we can stand firm against any challenge and live out our faith with authority and confidence. [06:01]
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the armor of God into your daily routine to stand firm against spiritual battles?
Day 3: Living on Purpose
God has a purposeful life for each of us, but it requires a decision to live beyond mere existence. Personal anecdotes and biblical analogies, like the marathon runner and the refining of gold, illustrate the endurance and purification process necessary to live a life of purpose. Living on purpose means embracing the trials and challenges that come our way, knowing that they refine us and make us more like Christ. It also means keeping our eyes on the ultimate goal and persevering with determination and faith. [09:44]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are just existing rather than living purposefully? How can you start living with intention in that area today?
Day 4: Facing Giants with God's Insight
The story of David and Goliath teaches us that we can face and overcome giants in our lives and society with God's guidance. David's victory was not just about physical prowess but about having a Rhema word from God, which gave him insight into the enemy's weakness. This serves as a powerful reminder that with God's guidance, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. By seeking God's direction and relying on His wisdom, we can face our giants with confidence and courage. [30:52]
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV): "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.'"
Reflection: What is a "giant" you are currently facing? How can you seek God's insight and guidance to overcome it?
Day 5: Standing Firm Against Cultural Decline
The church must stand firm against moral and cultural decline, emphasizing the importance of traditional family values, faith, and patriotism. Contemporary issues like educational indoctrination and illegal immigration are giants that the church must face with courage and conviction, standing on the rock of Jesus Christ. By holding fast to biblical principles and standing firm in our faith, we can be a light in a dark world and make a positive impact on society. [33:52]
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (ESV): "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
Reflection: What is one cultural issue you feel passionate about? How can you stand firm in your faith and make a positive impact in that area today?
Quotes
1. "And as I said this, I've said that each week that God has not called you just to exist. Just go through the motions in life. Just... Just barely trying to survive. I mean, wow, thank God, you know, we're not like some countries. They're really suffering. But we have, you know, we have some means, but let's just hunker down. No, God has called us to overcome. And we've kind of unpacked that a little bit about what does that mean. And yes, we know that our journey of faith is marked by challenges, and there are painful trials. We all know that. And times those battles are severe. But we still serve a God that empowers us to overcome. Can you say amen?" [01:54] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And I said this each week that we are God's, if I can say it this way, enforcers of righteousness. I say, well, what do you, what do you mean by that, Pastor Mike? In other words, we are authorized to rule and reign on behalf of our king. He has said, I empower you. And here's the thing. We prevail on the side of victory, not on the side of defeat, even though at times it seems like the church may move forward three steps and back two. I'm gonna hear what I'm saying. But we prevail on the side of victory, not defeat." [04:59] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so our text has been also in Matthew 4, 4 with Revelation 3, 21. And Jesus is speaking and he's replied and he says, it is written and forever remains written. Man. Man, woman, humanity shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. And we said that that actually, that word word in the Greek is the word rhema. Can we say that? Say rhema. And rhema is an alive word. It's a word where God places, as you read the logos of God and you get the logos, the written word in your heart on a regular basis, there will be an alive word for your life." [07:06] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And when you live on purpose, you live a purposeful life. Right? And God wants us to live on purpose. And it's not easy. It's not easy at times. It's very challenging. But God has a purposeful life. A purposeful life for each and every one of you. If you so choose to take it up, it's up to you. Can you live for yourself? Yep, you can go on living for yourself. Do what you want to do. You know, I heard this guy had a t-shirt one time and said, the guy who dies with the most toys wins. That's a lie. You can't take those toys with you. Amen?" [10:23] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And then we use the analogy or the visual about gold. When we talk about the church, it's the church, how gold is refined. And gold goes through an intense heat so that all the impurities are burned away. And what I love about gold is no matter how old it is, how dirty it is, watch this, how scarred and marred it is, and how dirt and junk on it, the moment it is heated, all those impurities come away. And there's pure gold left. And that's what the Spirit of God does in our life. He burns away. When we allow him, when we receive Christ in our life, he begins that process. And he washes us and cleanses and burns away all of those weights of sin." [12:46] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Like a local church, watch this, lighthouses are symbolic of resilience, guidance, hope and protection. Let me see that. And here's the thing. A lighthouse stands firm and solid. Watch this. Now, in the middle of a raging storm, the lighthouse is the place that is fixed, that's strong, that has, if you could say the truth, the light and that pierces through the darkness. And what does it do? It guides the ships to safety, to shore. Even though the storm may rage, the lighthouse remains unshaken because it is anchored on a solid foundation." [15:38] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so, so we know that Jesus is the foundation of the rock of the church and, and, you know, Peter's declaring. This declaration of faith, that rock of revelation, they're all connected. Well, the church is the analogy. It's like a lighthouse in the world. And we stand as God's church in the midst of moral and spiritual storms, shining the light of Jesus Christ. Can I get an amen? You know, COVID was demonic on many levels. It was, I mean, it's one thing trying to start a church from nothing. And you needing God to, you know, show up. COVID took out so many pastors. It really did." [18:54] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so, we opened our doors on Pentecost Sunday, and we have not closed since. Because the Scripture tells us to forsake not the assembly. In other words, that means continue to worship together. Corporately. That's what the Word says. So, just a FYI, I know I just got on a rabbit trail there. Some of you need to hear that. Some of you didn't. Just remember how we stood as my wife and I as pastors in the front line for that, for you, for some of you may have forgotten. Just throwing that out there. At 60 years old, I can say that. How we stuck our necks out for your children. That your children could come to a safe place." [22:29] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We overcome, not because we are strong. But because our God is strong. Amen? Every head bowed here this morning, if you would. The Bible says in Ephesians 5.14, Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Christ will shine on you. You're here today. He said, Pastor Mike, I don't live on purpose. Life just carries me down the stream. And what happens? Whatever is to be, is to be. I just live for myself. I believe the Holy Spirit of God is speaking to you today. But you got to make a decision. And you're never at a point where you're not free to choose. I believe that." [38:23] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And you're here today and you say, Pastor, I'm not right with the Lord. I need, I want to live on purpose. I want to live on purpose. And I don't want life just to carry me by. That's you. I'm going to ask you to, I'm going to lead you in a prayer of repentance. It's a prayer. It's a very simple prayer, but it's a very powerful prayer. It's a prayer where you surrender your life to Christ. And you say, Jesus, be Lord of my life. Some of you may have heard this a thousand times. But I believe today is a day of purpose for your life. Today is a day of change. Today is a day of decision. I declare it. You'll not continue in the way, but you'll be awakened to God's purpose for your life." [40:18] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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