Jesus' Victory: Overcoming Evil and Embracing Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Evil is Real, But It Does Not Get the Last Word

Evil is not just an abstract concept or a distant problem; it is a present and powerful force in our world and even within our own hearts. We see its effects in hatred, injustice, deceit, cruelty, violence, and death, both around us and sometimes within us. Yet, the hope we hold onto is that evil does not have the final say—there is a greater power at work, and the story is not over. Jesus’ victory on the cross means that evil’s reign is temporary, and it does not get the last word in your life or in the world. [17:09]

1 John 3:8 (ESV):
"Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

Reflection: Where have you seen evil at work in your life or the world this week, and how does knowing that Jesus has the last word change the way you respond to it today?

Day 2: Jesus Faced Evil at Its Worst and Triumphed

Jesus willingly stepped into the darkest moments of human history, enduring betrayal, false accusations, brutal beatings, mockery, and ultimately crucifixion. He took on the full force of evil, not as a victim, but as a victor, declaring from the cross, “It is finished.” His suffering was not a defeat but a decisive victory over the powers of darkness, and his resurrection is the proof that good has triumphed over evil once and for all. [14:07]

John 19:30 (ESV):
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Reflection: What does it mean to you that Jesus faced the worst evil and declared, “It is finished”? How might this truth give you courage in your own struggles today?

Day 3: Christ’s Victory Disarms Evil and Offers Us Freedom

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them and triumphing over them by the cross. This victory is not just a future hope but a present reality—Jesus is applying his triumph over evil one heart at a time, offering freedom and transformation to all who trust in him. You are invited to let Christ’s victory become your own, allowing him to conquer the darkness within and around you. [19:01]

Colossians 2:15 (ESV):
"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience Christ’s victory over evil today, and how can you invite him to have the last word in that area?

Day 4: God’s Grand Plan—A World Without Evil

The resurrection of Jesus is a glimpse of God’s ultimate plan: a day is coming when there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, and the curse of evil will be wiped away forever. Until that day, we live in hope, knowing that Jesus’ victory is the guarantee of a future where all things are made new. This promise encourages us to persevere, trusting that God’s justice and restoration are certain. [20:49]

Revelation 21:4-5 (ESV):
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"

Reflection: When you look at the brokenness in the world, how does the promise of God making all things new shape your hope and your prayers today?

Day 5: Let Jesus Have the Last Word in Your Life

The power of Easter is not just a historical event but an invitation for you today. You cannot overcome evil on your own, but Jesus offers to have the last word in your life if you will surrender to him. He wants to take you through the struggles and darkness, leading you out the other side victorious. The choice is yours—will you let Jesus have the last word in your heart and story? [25:37]

Romans 8:37 (ESV):
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

Reflection: What would it look like for you to let Jesus have the last word in your life today—what specific step of surrender or trust can you take right now?

Sermon Summary

Evil is a reality in our world, and it’s not just something we see on the news or in distant places—it’s something that touches our own lives, our families, and even our own hearts. We live in a world filled with beauty and goodness, but also with hatred, injustice, deceit, cruelty, violence, and death. These are not just unfortunate circumstances; they are the evidence of a deeper, darker force at work. Each of us can recall moments when evil has collided with our lives, leaving scars and questions in its wake.

But the story does not end there. On that first Easter weekend, the very best of good—Jesus himself—collided head-on with the very worst of evil. Jesus, the Son of God, willingly stepped into the heart of darkness. He was betrayed, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and crucified. Evil unleashed its full fury on him, and for a moment, it seemed as if evil had won. Yet, in his final moments, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” This was not a cry of defeat, but a shout of victory. He had taken all that evil could give and triumphed over it.

The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that evil does not get the last word. Jesus’ victory over death is a glimpse of God’s ultimate plan to deal with evil once and for all. One day, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Until that day, Jesus is applying his victory over evil one heart at a time. He invites each of us to let him have the last word in our lives, to bring our brokenness and our battles with evil to him, and to trust in his power to overcome.

We cannot defeat evil on our own, either around us or within us. But Jesus, who faced evil at its worst and emerged victorious, offers us his victory. The invitation is simple but profound: let Jesus have the last word in your life. Allow his resurrection power to change you, to deliver you from evil, and to give you hope that good truly does win.

Key Takeaways

1. Evil is not just an abstract concept or something “out there”—it is a real, active force that affects our world and our own hearts. Recognizing the reality of evil is the first step toward understanding our need for a Savior who can deal with it at its root, not just its symptoms. [12:07]
2. The cross was the ultimate collision between good and evil. Jesus did not avoid suffering or evil; he entered into it fully, taking on the worst that darkness could offer. His willingness to endure evil’s full force reveals both the depth of his love and the seriousness with which God confronts evil. [11:32]
3. Jesus’ declaration, “It is finished,” was not a resignation but a proclamation of victory. In that moment, he accomplished what no one else could: he broke the power of evil, disarmed the spiritual forces that enslave humanity, and made a public spectacle of them through the cross. [13:50]
4. The resurrection is God’s proof that evil does not get the last word. Jesus’ victory over death is a foretaste of the day when God will make all things new, erasing the curse and its effects forever. Until then, his victory is being applied in the lives of those who trust him, one heart at a time. [20:15]
5. Letting Jesus have the last word in your life means surrendering both the evil around you and the evil within you to him. It is an act of trust, acknowledging that we cannot overcome evil on our own, but that Christ’s victory is sufficient for us. This surrender is the pathway to true freedom and hope, even in a world still marked by darkness. [25:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Who Has the Last Word?
[01:53] - The Good News: Beauty and Goodness in the World
[02:54] - The Bad News: The Reality of Evil
[04:20] - Evil in the Life of Jesus
[06:09] - The Arrest and Suffering of Jesus
[09:16] - Mockery and Crucifixion
[10:27] - Jesus: Good at His Best
[11:32] - Evil at Its Worst
[13:15] - The Collision of Good and Evil
[13:50] - “It Is Finished”: The Victory Shout
[15:20] - Evil’s Fallout and the Curse
[17:09] - Evil in Us
[18:25] - Jesus Came to Destroy Evil
[19:41] - The Resurrection: Proof of Victory
[20:32] - God’s Grand Plan: All Things New
[21:38] - Jesus’ Victory Applied to Our Lives
[22:49] - Will Evil Get the Last Word in Your Life?
[24:24] - Jesus Leads Us Through Evil
[25:16] - A Prayer of Surrender
[26:36] - Reflecting on Evil and Surrendering to Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 2:15, what did Jesus accomplish on the cross in relation to the powers and authorities?
In Ephesians 6:12, who or what does Paul say our real struggle is against?
What future hope is described in Revelation 21:4-5 for those who trust in Jesus?
The sermon described specific ways evil showed up in the life and death of Jesus. What are some of those examples? [[06:09]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says evil is not just “out there” but also within us. Why is it important to recognize the reality of evil in our own hearts, not just in the world? [[16:13]]
Jesus’ words “It is finished” were described as a victory shout, not a cry of defeat. What does this mean for how we view the cross and resurrection? [[13:50]]
The sermon mentions that Jesus willingly stepped into the “killbox” of evil and took its full force. What does this reveal about God’s attitude toward evil and his love for us? [[11:32]]
Revelation 21:4-5 talks about a day when God will wipe away every tear and end pain and death. How does this future promise affect the way we live with evil and suffering now? [[20:49]]

Application Questions

The sermon asked, “Where has evil collided with your life?” Can you think of a time when you experienced or witnessed evil—either around you or within you? How did it affect you? [[12:40]]
The pastor said, “We cannot defeat evil on our own, either around us or within us.” In what areas of your life have you tried to overcome evil or brokenness by your own strength? What was the result? [[25:16]]
Jesus invites us to let him have the last word in our lives. What would it look like for you to surrender a specific area of brokenness or struggle to him this week? [[25:37]]
The sermon described Jesus’ victory as being applied “one heart at a time.” In what ways have you seen Jesus’ victory over evil at work in your own life or in someone you know? [[21:38]]
The future hope in Revelation is that God will make all things new. How does this hope help you face the ongoing presence of evil or pain in your life right now? [[20:49]]
The Lord’s Prayer includes “deliver us from evil.” How might you pray this prayer differently after hearing this sermon? Is there a specific situation where you need to ask Jesus to deliver you from evil? [[22:16]]
The pastor ended with a prayer of surrender: “Have the last word in my life today and every day.” What would it mean for you to make this your prayer? Is there anything holding you back from letting Jesus have the last word? [[25:37]]

Sermon Clips

The world is a beautiful place with many wonderful people i hope you agree with that the world is a beautiful place there is so much beauty so much to enjoy so many wonderful things to explore and to discover and to learn god has created for us an amazing world and it is beautiful it is it is fascinating and it is plenty it it provides plenty for us if we just learn to manage it well and there are many wonderful people in this world good people kind people fun people people that are just a delight to spend time with i hope that's how you feel about life. [00:02:04]

But that's not all or I think we'd all have to agree that something is fundamentally wrong something's wrong something's off there is something about our world that is dysfunctional and dark and we don't have to look beyond the news every day either the world news the national news the local news or our own homes and families to discover that there's something terribly wrong in our world there is hatred and injustice and deceit and cruelty and violence and death am I right there's something wrong with our world there is something evil in our world there are things that can only be explained by the word evil. [00:02:58]

We could tell some sorry stories this morning couldn't we how evil has invaded our lives and intersected our lives and collided with our lives in various ways that struck me a few weeks ago as I was reading through the gospel of Mark i was reading through the the four gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John and when I came to this section particularly of Mark beginning in Mark u verse or 14-15 it's a story of what happened to our Lord Jesus leading up to his crucifixion and including his crucifixion and as I read it and was thinking this is the son of God this is the creator of the world this is the one who could speak galaxies into existence this is the one we're reading about and I want you to journey with me for a few moments now. [00:04:28]

Here he is being slandered he's being lied about and it it goes on to say "They all condemned him as worthy of death then some began to spit at him." Have you ever been spit at and they blindfolded him struck him with their fist and said "Prophesy." And the guards took him and beat him it's not this is the first of at least three times in this dialogue we're going to find Jesus being beaten they they took him the guards now these guards know how to knew how to beat a guy they took him and beat him so they bound Jesus again I'm just fascinated they bound the son of God and led him away and handed him over to Pilate as if he was completely under their control. [00:06:23]

Think about this this is Jesus of Nazareth who by all accounts was at least a good man now we know he was much more than a good man but anyone who reads his story anyone who watched his life would have to conclude that he was at least a good man he healed people he fed people he gave people hope he loved people now we again we we know he was much more than a good man but anyone who walked along with him in that first century would know yes Jesus of Nazareth is a good man and yet and yet he experienced hatred injustice deceit cruelty violence and death he experienced evil evil the worst that evil had to offer. [00:09:55]

Jesus the son of God our creator the holy one painted a target on his own chest and stepped into the killbox and took the full brunt of evil at its worst everything evil had to offer was unleashed on Jesus in his his arrest his trial and his crucifixion evil at its very worst was poured out on him see evil is real it's real we live in a world that has true true evil. [00:11:18]

Where has evil collided with your life where have you seen evil at work in your world in your family in your own heart in your own life in the world around us where has evil collided with your life i think we could all bring up images and memories some of them past and some of them way too recent and raw where evil has collided with our lives well it's not the only collision that's taken place for good at its best Jesus was good at its best and evil at its worst collided that first Easter weekend they hit head on that's what's going on on the first Easter weekend. [00:12:30]

Just about the time evil was ready to do a victory dance the forces of evil had Jesus hung up on a cross they had watched him mocked be mocked be beaten be abused in every conceivable way and he's hanging there on a cross ready to die and evil had to be gleeful in that moment and it was about ready to do a victory dance just about that time Jesus called out with a loud voice "It is finished." [00:13:18]

When Jesus said "It is finished," he was not saying "I quit i'm done." He was saying "I'm finished i won." And the forces of evil who were about to party must have stopped and said "Whoa whoa wait what what just happened?" And three days later three days later Jesus had the last word he had the last word good at its best and evil at its worst collided on that first Easter weekend and good won jesus won in this colossal battle this cosmic battle of good and evil jesus won. [00:14:41]

We cannot deny that we live in a world that has evil very much at work and it's not just around us it's in us evil is at work in people in people like us in us let's be honest have you ever felt something dark lurking in the basement of your heart have you you ever felt something dark in your heart it's not your imagination that churning underneath the surface that we sometimes have experienced in our lives of anger or resentment and unforgiveness and bitterness and revenge and jealousy or lust or greed deceit and selfishness it's evil and it's not just working at work in the world around us we have all experienced and witnessed the work of evil in us evil is real but it does not get the last word. [00:15:57]

The reason the son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work now did you know that in the Greek the word devil means evil no no it doesn't i mean no no it doesn't pastor's fibbing on Easter it it does not mean that but it lit it literally means slanderer but it is it refers to the being the intelligent powerful being that is continually stirring the cauldron of evil in our world just stirring it we call him the devil and you see what it says here in these ver in this verse the reason the son of God appeared was to destroy destroy the devil's work. [00:18:03]

When he let out that shout "It is finished." It was a victory shout he was saying "I have taken everything evil has i have I have stood in the killbox of evil and I have taken it at its worst and I'm victorious i'm victorious." And then he rose to prove it in fact that's what we read in in Acts chapter 17:31 for God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed talking about Christ he will judge the world with justice in other words he will deal once and for all with evil he will be done with it it goes on to say he has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. [00:19:18]

What Jesus did on the cross and then on Easter Sunday morning is a snapshot it is a glimpse of God's grand plan and what he is doing throughout history and what he intends to do revelation 21 i come back to these verses often because they're so encouraging and so so inspiring we read the end of the story in Revelation 21 and then in 22 there will be there will come a day when it will be declared there will be no more death no more or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away he who was seated on the throne said "I'm making everything new." [00:20:30]

Here and now Jesus is applying his victory over evil one human heart at a time jesus comes into your life and he conquers evil he comes into my life and he conquers evil and he is applying his victory over evil one life at a time one day he will do it over all creation in the meantime he's giving us his victory over evil and so when we pray the Lord's prayer that phrase deliver us from evil you pray that sometimes right those words just flow off your tongue deliver us from evil we are praying that the power of Easter will invade our lives now for Jesus on Easter weekend defeated the powers of evil and he is applying it into our lives now. [00:21:43]

Whether evil has the last word in our lives depends on our response to what Jesus did that first Easter weekend so where is evil colliding with your life around you in you will it get the last word in your life it doesn't have to if left to ourselves it will because we don't have the power to control it or to overcome it but we're not left to ourselves let Jesus have the last word in your life today it's Easter friends it's Easter what a day to let the one who conquered evil have your heart and have your life so that Jesus has the last word in your life see he has already won the battle. [00:22:49]

Jesus could have avoided all that he said at one time to his disciples "Don't you think I could call legions of angels and they would come rescue me?" In fact all this time that Jesus is being abused I can imagine the angels of heaven leaning over with their hands on their sword just waiting for the word from the son of God to come rescue him and they would have just they would have wiped things out but in spite of all that Jesus chose to step right into evil and t took all of its force he went through it and out the other side victorious and that's what he wants to do in your life we won't avoid evil in this world but the son of God wants to take us through it and at the other side victorious. [00:23:53]

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