The Long Defeat and the Hope of Victory

Today’s reflection centers on the tension between the struggles of this present life and the hope of final victory in Christ. Drawing from the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes, we are reminded that the blessed life is not one free from pain, persecution, or struggle, but one marked by faithfulness in the midst of hardship. The reality of the “long defeat”—a phrase borrowed from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings—captures the ongoing battle against evil, both in the world and within our own hearts. History, Scripture, and our personal experiences all testify to this pattern: every victory is followed by the stubborn return of brokenness and sin. Yet, this is not a call to despair, but to recognize our deep need for a Savior who alone can bear the weight of our defeat and bring true victory.

The saints who have gone before us, now resting in Christ, serve as examples and encouragements. Their lives, marked by endurance and faith, point us to the hope that sustains us as we continue to struggle. The hymn “For All the Saints” beautifully expresses this dynamic, contrasting the church triumphant—those who now shine in glory—with the church militant—those of us who still “feebly struggle.” We are united with them in Christ, even as we await the day when our struggle will end and we, too, will rest.

Glimpses of this final victory break into our lives not through grand worldly triumphs, but in the ordinary gathering of the church around Word and Sacrament. Here, heaven meets earth, and we are joined with the saints and angels in worship. These moments are foretastes of the day when Christ will return, evil will be finally defeated, and all God’s people will be gathered together in everlasting joy. Until then, we press on, encouraged by the witness of the saints, sustained by Christ’s presence, and anchored in the hope of the resurrection.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The “long defeat” is a profound reality of Christian life, where every victory over evil is met with its persistent return. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture and history, reminding us that our hope cannot rest in earthly triumphs or moral progress, but in the ultimate victory Christ will bring. Our calling is not to escape the struggle, but to remain faithful within it. [33:52]
• 2. The battle against evil is not only external but also internal. Each time we choose sin or self over God and neighbor, we contribute to the long defeat. True transformation does not come from better strategies or stronger willpower, but from surrendering to Christ, who alone can conquer the sin within us. [36:13]
• 3. The saints who have gone before us are not just distant heroes, but living witnesses whose faith and endurance encourage us. Their example calls us to perseverance, reminding us that the Christian journey is marked by both struggle and hope. We are part of a larger story, united with them in Christ, even as we await our own rest. [38:48]
• 4. Glimpses of final victory are found not in spectacular events or cultural shifts, but in the ordinary life of the church. When we gather around Word and Sacrament, heaven breaks into our world, and we are joined with the saints and angels in worship. These moments are foretastes of the joy and unity that await us in Christ’s kingdom. [44:10]
• 5. Our ultimate hope is anchored in the promise of Christ’s return, when the long defeat will give way to everlasting victory. On that day, the church militant will become the church triumphant, and all God’s people will be gathered together in glory. Until then, we press on, sustained by Christ’s presence and the hope of resurrection. [46:26]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:11] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
• [04:08] - Call to Worship and Opening Hymn
• [17:03] - Gospel Reading: The Beatitudes
• [18:04] - Children’s Message
• [30:27] - Introduction and Greeting
• [30:42] - Tolkien’s “Long Defeat” and Christian Life
• [33:52] - The Pattern of History: Victories and Evil’s Return
• [36:13] - The Long Defeat Within: Our Struggle with Sin
• [37:54] - The Hope of Christ’s Final Victory
• [38:48] - The Saints Triumphant and the Church Militant
• [39:45] - Praying for Strength in the Struggle
• [41:19] - All Saints’ Day: Remembering the Faithful
• [42:16] - Glimpses of Victory in Ordinary Worship
• [44:10] - Heaven Meets Earth: Unity in Word and Sacrament
• [45:40] - The Promise of Final Victory
• [46:26] - The Church Triumphant: Our Ultimate Hope

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) – The Beatitudes — Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
([17:03])

Revelation 7:9-12 (ESV) — After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
([44:49])

Observation Questions

1. In the Beatitudes, what kinds of people does Jesus call “blessed,” and what promises does He give to them? ([17:03])
2. According to the sermon, what is meant by the phrase “the long defeat,” and how does it show up in both history and our own lives? ([33:52])
3. How does the hymn “For All the Saints” describe the difference between the “church militant” and the “church triumphant”? ([38:48])
4. Where does the sermon say we catch “glimpses of final victory” in our lives today? ([44:10])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus call those who mourn, hunger, and are persecuted “blessed”? What does this say about the Christian life and our expectations for it? ([17:03])
2. The sermon says that the “long defeat” is not just about the world but also about our own hearts. What does it mean that we sometimes “contribute” to the long defeat? ([36:13])
3. How does remembering the saints who have gone before us help us in our own struggles and faith journey? ([38:48])
4. The sermon mentions that true glimpses of victory come not from big events but from ordinary worship. Why might God choose to meet us in these simple, everyday moments? ([44:10])

Application Questions

1. The Beatitudes describe a life that is often marked by struggle, mourning, and even persecution. When have you felt like you were living in the “long defeat”? How did you respond, and what helped you keep going? ([33:52])
2. The sermon says that every time we choose sin or self over God and neighbor, we “contribute to the long defeat.” Is there a specific area in your life where you feel this struggle right now? What would it look like to surrender that to Christ this week? ([36:13])
3. Think of a saint—someone you know or someone from church history—whose faith encourages you. What is it about their story that gives you hope or strength for your own journey? ([38:48])
4. The sermon talks about “glimpses of final victory” happening in ordinary church life, especially around Word and Sacrament. How can you be more present and expectant during worship, looking for these moments when “heaven meets earth”? ([44:10])
5. When you gather for worship, do you think about being united with the saints and angels? How might this change your attitude or focus during church? ([44:10])
6. The hope of Christ’s return is described as the anchor that keeps us going. How can you remind yourself of this hope during difficult times? Is there a practice or habit you could start to help you remember? ([46:26])
7. The hymn says, “We feebly struggle, they in glory shine.” How can you support someone else in your group or church who is struggling right now, so they don’t have to struggle alone? ([40:32])