Gtcotr/ss060610
I know that I have been called by God and am anointed to preach the Gospel. After 30 years of diligent pursuit, now I find myself more confident and more passionate about my calling than ever.
So, this morning I have come to preach to you the ‘Good News’. Hear the Word of the Lord.
Open your heart and mind to the Gospel as we open our Bibles to the book of Revelation, chapter two.
The whole second chapter of the book of Revelation and on into the third chapter, contains exhortations given to seven churches. Some have designated these churches to be a representation of churches in each generation.
1. The Church of Ephesus The Loveless Church
2. The Church in Smyrna The Persecuted Church
3. The Church in Pergamos The Compromising Church
4. The Church in Thyatira The Corrupt Church
5. The Church in Sardis The Dead Church
6. The Church in Philadelphia The Faithful Church
7. The Church in Laodicea The Lukewarm Church
Although each church is different with its own set of circumstances and varying problems, nonetheless there is a common thread of encouragement given to every one of them. You can read about their differences later but for now, let’s focus on this single similarity. It involves the promises made to certain people within each church. Who are these people? Overcomers … Look at verse seven of chapter two …
Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
The Greek word originally written in this verse by John, which was dictated by Jesus, is the Greek word: Nikao. Here it is translated ‘overcomes’; in other scriptures in the Bible this word has been translated: conquer; prevail; get the victory.
Perhaps a good 21st century understanding of this word might be: “gains the victory”.
In each exhortation to every one of the Churches, Jesus gives a message and a promise to those who overcome, those who gain the victory. Let’s look together:
Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Revelation 2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations –
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God …
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
In every church there is a message to the overcomer. But how does a person overcome when in this world they are surrounded by: Loveless Relationships; Persecutions; Compromise; Corruption; Dead Works; Pride; and Lethargy?
Glad you asked! For herein is the ‘Good News’ I came to preach. Who are these overcomers in life? Well, I sure hope Jesus is talking about you!
1 John 5
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God …
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
What is faith? Faith is confidence in God’s potential.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
He who believes, overcomes. Come on now – is He talking about you?
When the Apostle Paul took up this subject he used the same Greek word ‘Nikao’ but added something to it. Look with me in the book of Romans, chapter 8.
Romans 8
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Which is in Christ … IN CHRIST! --- there is something powerful about being ‘In Christ’. You can think about that later …
Verse 37 says that we are more than conquerors.
The phrase, “more than conquerors” comes from the Greek word:
• Hupernikao
• It means: Super, abundant, above, and more than victorious; a super overcomer; more than a conqueror; someone who gains more than simple victory in the battle, and wins the whole war!
Now I think that qualifies as good news. What can you do to get this super power to overcome, to gain the victory and be more than a conqueror?
If you are interested I will tell you where you can find the answer to that question. I know it’s summer time but I am going to give you some homework.
Here are three scripture references that you can go home, read and put into practice. If you do this, you will begin to experience the power of God in your life to overcome. You will not only be victorious in battle but ultimately you will win the whole war against the enemies of your soul.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Pay particular attention to truths: “in Christ” & “made the righteousness”.
Revelation 12:11 This verse will tell you how it works.
Philemon 6 This verse will give you something practical to do each day.
Like Jesus indicated in Revelation: The good news is that you can overcome – but it’s going to be up to you!
