Overcoming Evil with Faith, Hope, and Love

 

Summary

In reflecting on the life and suffering of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the profound injustices he endured. Jesus faced immense physical and verbal abuse, was mocked, spat upon, and abandoned by his closest friends. Despite these evils, Jesus was not overcome by them. Instead, he triumphed over evil with good, embodying the essence of the gospel. The good with which Jesus overcame evil was multifaceted: faith, hope, and love.

Jesus demonstrated the good of faith by trusting in the Father even when he could not see the divine plan. In his moment of despair, he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" yet he still committed his spirit into God's hands, showing unwavering trust. This teaches us that faith is not the absence of doubt but the decision to trust God amidst uncertainty.

The good of hope was evident as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. He looked beyond the immediate suffering to the victory and joy that awaited him, including the gathering of a redeemed community. This hope enabled him to despise the shame of the cross, focusing instead on the glorious future.

Lastly, Jesus exemplified the good of love, even as he hung on the cross. He prayed for his enemies, asking the Father to forgive them, creating space for their repentance. This act of love shows us that true love seeks the well-being of others, even those who wrong us.

As we consider these truths, we are invited to respond by choosing not to be overcome by the evils we face. Instead, we can be defined by the hope and strength found in Jesus Christ. If Jesus is with us, for us, and in us, then evil will not overcome us.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' response to injustice and suffering was not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. This teaches us that our response to adversity should be rooted in faith, trusting God even when we cannot see the full picture. [01:18]

- Faith is not the absence of doubt but the decision to trust God amidst uncertainty. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross followed by his commitment to the Father exemplifies this profound trust. [01:39]

- Hope enables us to endure present suffering by focusing on future joy and victory. Jesus looked beyond the cross to the joy set before him, teaching us to keep our eyes on the eternal promises of God. [02:00]

- Love is most powerful when extended to those who wrong us. Jesus' prayer for his enemies on the cross demonstrates that true love seeks the well-being of others, even in the face of betrayal and harm. [02:35]

- In Jesus, we find the strength to not be defined or overcome by the evils we face. His victory over evil assures us that if he is with us, for us, and in us, we too can overcome. [03:22]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Reflecting on Jesus' Suffering
[00:33] - The Injustice Jesus Endured
[00:54] - Overcoming Evil with Good
[01:18] - The Good of Faith
[01:39] - Trusting Amidst Uncertainty
[02:00] - The Good of Hope
[02:13] - Looking Beyond the Cross
[02:35] - The Good of Love
[02:59] - A Call to Respond
[03:22] - Hope in Jesus Christ
[03:40] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 27:46 - "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."
2. Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
3. Luke 23:34 - "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."

Observation Questions:
1. What were some of the injustices and sufferings that Jesus endured according to the sermon? [00:33]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate faith during his crucifixion, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:18]
3. What was the "joy set before" Jesus that helped him endure the cross, as described in the sermon? [02:00]
4. How did Jesus exemplify love on the cross, according to the sermon? [02:35]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross reflect both his humanity and his faith? [01:39]
2. In what ways does the hope of future joy and victory influence a believer's ability to endure present suffering? [02:00]
3. How does Jesus' prayer for his enemies challenge common perceptions of love and forgiveness? [02:35]
4. What does it mean for a believer to not be overcome by evil, as Jesus was not? [03:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned or alone. How can Jesus' example of faith during his crucifixion inspire you to trust God in similar situations? [01:39]
2. What are some practical ways you can keep your focus on the "joy set before" you, especially during difficult times? [02:00]
3. Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you extend love and forgiveness to them, following Jesus' example on the cross? [02:35]
4. Identify a current challenge or injustice you are facing. How can you respond to it with faith, hope, and love, as Jesus did? [03:22]
5. How can the assurance that Jesus is with you, for you, and in you, empower you to overcome the evils you face in your life? [03:22]
6. What steps can you take this week to ensure that you are not defined or shaped by the evils of this world? [02:59]
7. How can you create space for repentance and reconciliation in your relationships, as Jesus did on the cross? [02:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Triumph Over Injustice with Good
In the face of profound injustice and suffering, Jesus Christ chose not to be overcome by evil but to overcome it with good. His response to adversity was deeply rooted in faith, hope, and love. Jesus' life exemplifies how one can confront evil without succumbing to it, teaching us that our response to adversity should be grounded in faith. Even when the path is unclear, trusting in God's plan is paramount. This trust is not about having all the answers but about believing in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire. [01:18]

"For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God." (1 Peter 2:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel wronged or treated unjustly. How can you respond with goodness and faith, trusting in God's plan even when it seems hidden?


Day 2: Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty
Faith is not the absence of doubt but the decision to trust God amidst uncertainty. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross, followed by his commitment to the Father, exemplifies this profound trust. In moments of despair, Jesus demonstrated unwavering faith by entrusting his spirit into God's hands. This teaches us that faith involves a conscious choice to trust God, even when we feel forsaken or when the divine plan is not visible. It is about holding onto God's promises and character, despite the chaos around us. [01:39]

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him." (Job 13:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are experiencing doubt or uncertainty. How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation today?


Day 3: Hope Beyond Present Suffering
Hope enables us to endure present suffering by focusing on future joy and victory. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, looking beyond immediate pain to the victory and joy that awaited him. This hope allowed him to despise the shame of the cross, focusing instead on the glorious future. As followers of Christ, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on the eternal promises of God, allowing hope to sustain us through trials and tribulations. [02:00]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently experiencing suffering? How can you shift your focus to the hope and joy that God promises for your future?


Day 4: Love for Those Who Wrong Us
Love is most powerful when extended to those who wrong us. Jesus' prayer for his enemies on the cross demonstrates that true love seeks the well-being of others, even in the face of betrayal and harm. This act of love shows us that forgiveness and compassion are integral to the Christian life. By praying for his persecutors, Jesus created space for their repentance and transformation. We are called to emulate this love, seeking the good of others, even those who have hurt us. [02:35]

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you begin to extend love and forgiveness to them today, following Jesus' example?


Day 5: Strength in Jesus to Overcome Evil
In Jesus, we find the strength to not be defined or overcome by the evils we face. His victory over evil assures us that if he is with us, for us, and in us, we too can overcome. This assurance provides us with the courage and resilience to face life's challenges, knowing that we are not alone. Jesus' presence in our lives empowers us to rise above adversity, anchored in the hope and strength that he provides. [03:22]

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenge or evil you are currently facing? How can you draw strength from Jesus today to overcome it, trusting in his presence and victory?

Quotes


In this last moment now as we think about the Lord Jesus of all the evils that were perpetrated against him the injustice that he endured I thought about the injustice you may have injured think now about the injustice he endured the violence that he suffered how he faced this alone because he was abandoned by all of his friends they all ran because they were scared. [00:00:00]

Think of the evils that were perpetrated against Jesus in regards to the physical and verbal abuse that was poured out on him how people mocked him spat on him and they took her a reed and they hit him over the head with a stick again and again and again the Bible says none of us has suffered evil as Jesus did. [00:00:33]

Friends our Lord Jesus Christ was not overcome by evil that's the good news of the gospel isn't it but he overcame evil and he overcame evil with good what was the good with which he overcame evil the good of faith he trusted in the father even when he could not see what the father was doing. [00:01:05]

My God my God why have you forsaken me I don't understand we might be saying yet into your hands I commit my spirit I trust you even in the why overcoming evil with a good of faith he overcame evil with a good of of hope for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross. [00:01:30]

How did he get through all of that he looked ahead to the victory to the joy to the gathering and a great company of redeemed that will include all who are in Jesus Christ and that's how he was able to deal with the shame hee hee put it to one side he despised that he said away with that. [00:01:54]

I've got my eye on what is coming ahead and it's gonna be glorious the good of faith the good of hope and of course the good of love right there on the cross what is he doing he is praying for his enemies and for those who have driven spikes into his hands and into his feet. [00:02:18]

What does he say Father forgive them they do not know what they are doing and right there he creates room for them to repent friends a good response to this message today would be as we hear the scripture for you to say to God today I don't want to be overcome by evil. [00:02:42]

I don't want to be defined by the evils that I've suffered and I don't want to be shaped by the evils of this world in which I live and if that's where you are today I say to you that there is hope for you in Jesus Christ evil did not overcome him and if this Jesus Christ is with you. [00:03:00]

And if he is for you and if he is in you evil will not overcome you. [00:03:22]

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Transcript
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