OVERCOMERS

Revelation 12 presents an overview of the great cosmic conflict between Satan and God’s people. His war against God is futile, as he has not even a sliver of a chance to overthrow the Almighty, so he rages against the people of God. Yet, we are overcomers, and Revelation 12:11 displays how we defeat the Devil. 

We overcome BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB,  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”. The word Satan means, “the accuser,” as he is described in the previous verse. He wants us to stand condemned, yet we can stand in confidence, for the redeemed have the righteousness of Christ. Our sins are cleansed by the blood!

We also overcome BY THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY, “And they overcame him…by the word of their testimony…”. Believers can confess the truth that rests in the testimony of the Word of God. That is the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus showed the pattern perfectly in defeating the Devil in the wilderness by speaking the word of God. We may follow His example.

Then, we overcome BY THE COMMITMENT OF OUR ALL,  “And they overcame him…and they did not love their lives to the death.” What is the worst Satan can do to you? Kill you?  Then you just go to heaven and isn’t that wonderful! There the martyrs are crowned and celebrate the goodness of God. You cannot strike fear into the hearts of those who have such faith!

Martin Luther stated it thus in his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!

THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS

Both the commencement and conclusion of Psalm 32 provide the bookends for the content: the blessedness of forgiveness. David starts with an expression of happiness in the Lord, and sums up with an exultation of hallelujah to the Lord.

Consider THE COVERING OF SIN (v.1-5). Sin calls for a covering. The choice is in who will do the covering and the resulting consequences. There is blessing when God covers our sin, but a burden when we seek to do so. It is  the difference between heaven and hell for sinners and happiness or heaviness for saints. There is gladness when God covers sin and groaning when we attempt it. It is fascinating that the great salvation word, “atone,” literally means, “to cover.”

Blessedness comes with THE CONFESSION OF SIN (v.5-7).  God removes the sin we refuse to cover, but will reveal that which we seek to hide. He is writing it down (cf. Rev.20:12). The godly are not sinless, but swift and sincere in repentance. The wicked make excuses and shift blame, hesitant to admit guilt. At best, they are superficial in remorse. The waters of judgment will not reach the repentant.  God will be their, “hiding place.”  The wicked will be swept away. The story of Noah illustrates this. It is interesting that the word, “pitch,” that Noah used to waterproof the ark, is the Hebrew, “kaphar,” also rendered, “atonement!”

We conclude with THE COUNSEL OF SANCTIFICATION (v.8-11). God’s grace in forgiveness is never meant to be an excuse for sinfulness. Repentance means we are counseled by God from the path of sin to the pursuit of sanctification. It is the highway of holiness that yields happiness. Stubborn mules can be broken—and God will chasten us when needed. Yet, far better to be compliant than face correction!  There is the choice of a sorrowful life in sin or the steadfast love from sanctification.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF FAITH

The old hymn begins, 

    How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord 

    Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.

That firm foundation of faith is featured in Acts 4. There are several facets of faith that we see. 

FIRST, WE SEE A CONFESSIONAL FAITH (v.1-22). We have the confession of Peter and John. There are core convictions that Christianity has which are compelled to be communicated. Such terms as, “speaking,” (v.1), “teaching…proclaiming,” (v.2), and “the word,”  (v.4). As a result of the preaching, faith was formed in “about five thousand.”  The core message is Christ—“the name of Jesus…crucified, whom God raised from the dead,” (v.10). He is “the cornerstone” of faith (v.11) and the Gospel message declares, “there is no other name…by which we must be saved” (v.12). That confession is a must for true faith (Rom.10:9-10, 13). The Spirit bears witness to Christ through His church (v.8) compelling us to confess Christ, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,” (v.20). 

FURTHER, WE SEE A COURAGEOUS FAITH (v.23-31). This courage is required because of the conflict. Proclaiming the Gospel is an assault on the kingdom of darkness. The devil and his minions will fight back, and so we note, “they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus,” (v.18). Such threats and rage had been predicted by David, writing Ps.2 quoted here (v.25-26). But, the kings of the earth are no match for the King of  Eternity!  The “Sovereign Lord” ( v.24), even uses the wicked to work His will (v.27), “to do whatever [God’s] hand and [God’s] plan has predestined to take place.”  The church’s prayer was not for the removal of conflict, but for the reinforcement of courage, “to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” (v.29). Such prayers will shake the world and send us out to speak boldly (v.31). 

FINALLY, WE SEE A COMMON FAITH (v.32-37). Now, by that, I do not mean the faith is cheap and ordinary, but that it is faith all believers have in common. This calls us to do life together in community (v.32). Such common faith produces uncommon fruit—“great power,” and “great grace,” (v.33), inspiring testimony and generosity (v.34-35).

THE SHUNNED SERVANT

“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Isaiah‬ ‭53:1-3‬‬)

The life of Jesus on earth was marked by rejection. When the time came for His arrival, there was no room in the inn and He was born in a stable—no soft bed for a King, but placed in a manger of hay. The religious leaders hated Him from the outset of His ministry, ultimately demanding His execution. Though multitudes followed Him for the miracles He could do, the masses soon abandoned Him, at last crying out, “Crucify Him!”  Those of His town, looked at Him and scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter’s son,” and wondered what was the big deal.  His own family did not understand Him and wanted him locked away as a lunatic. One of His own would betray Him, the head of His disciples would deny Him, and all but John would run away when He needed them most.  Ultimately, the Gentile ruler would deliver Him to torture and death—the world’s verdict concerning Christ.

John wrote, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:10-11).

His reaction to rejection?  Jesus wept. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See!  Your house is left to you desolate;” (Matt.23:37-38). His tears were not for His own trials, but for the people who were choosing hell over heaven in rejecting Him—their only hope!

What will you do with Jesus?  Will you bow to Him and confess Him before scornful men?  Or, will you turn away, brush His claims aside, and reject Him?  That choice will determine where you spend eternity.

DEFEATING THE DEVIL

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.  (Revelation 12:11)

In the twelfth chapter of Revelation, we find war in heaven.  This passage has a prophetic interpretation.  The swirl of events seen here involve the consummation of the age.  However, there is also a perpetual implication.  Throughout the history of the planet, there has been a conflict between light and darkness, between God and the Devil.  Yet, our focus is upon the practical illustration.  Daily we do battle with the enemy of our souls.  Contained in this text are spiritual truths that will enable us to defeat the Devil. 

We can overcome Satan by THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE LAMB. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb….”  In Eden, God pronounced the curse upon sin.  Still, I remind you, that where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.  So on the heels of the curse, God decreed the cure for sin.  Genesis 3:15 presents the first prophecy of Messiah.  It reads, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”  At Calvary the old Serpent plunged his venomous fangs into the heel of the Seed of woman, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus was bruised for our transgressions, but in so doing, crushed the Serpent’s head.  Christ’s victory is our victory.  We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.   Plead the blood.  The blood of Christ has purchased us and preserves us. 

We defeat the devil by THE CONFESSION OF THE LIPS.  It says, “they overcame him . . . by the word of their testimony….”  This Word referred to is the Word of God. Paul calls it, “The Sword of the Spirit” in Ephesians 6.  Jesus put the Devil to flight in the wilderness by the word of His testimony, as He uttered this response to each temptation, “It is written….”  We store the Word in our life and then speak the Word with our lips.  Words can be weapons of destruction when tongues are controlled by Satan. But words can also unleash the power and blessing of God when the mouth is mastered by Christ.  Remember how Jericho fell with a shout!  So will the strongholds of Satan crumble before the power of a positive confession rooted in the Word of God. 

We can defeat the Devil by THE COMMITMENT OF THE LIFE, for “they did not love their lives to the death.”  That’s total commitment.  What power there is in a life yielded unto God!  The stoutest demon trembles at the sight of a saint whose gaze is fixed on heaven, with the world behind his back, whose mind is consumed with Christ, whose ears are sensitive to the Spirit’s still, small voice, and whose feet are set on the highway of holiness.  How can the Devil threaten such a person?  He can say, “I’ll take your possessions!” But having surrendered it all to God, we have nothing to lose.  Satan can rave, “I’ll destroy your family!”  If like Hannah with Samuel, we’ve given them to God, we’re persuaded that He is able to keep that which we’ve committed unto Him against that day.  Satan can say, “I’ll take your health!” However, we realize our body is a lump of clay in the hand of the Divine Potter to shape as He sees fit. Therefore, we do not fear.  This is victory!

THE PROOF OF OUR PROFESSION

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  (1 John 1:6)

Talk is cheap.  I can claim to be Superman.  You would want to see me fly.  Around seventy percent of the American population claims to be Christian.  Where is the evidence?  Would the culture be in moral freefall if that were truly the case?  Let me be more direct.  Is there proof you can present that makes your profession of faith credible?

John’s intent in writing this first letter is so we can know for certain we are prepared to meet God.  He sums his purpose up in 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

True Christianity is not a mere set of beliefs someone subscribes to, but a Person that we believe in—and His name is Jesus Christ.  John opens the first chapter by pointing to Him and calls Him, “the Word of life” (v.1).  Real conversion rests on a genuine connection with Christ—for He is the source of eternal life.  As the Word, He has communicated God to us, disclosing the plan of salvation.  There is no salvation apart from Him.  Although we live in an age of “tolerance” and political correctness, which dogmatically asserts there are no moral absolutes, Scripture emphatically declares that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  It is not a religion that saves—it is a relationship with Christ that is required.

Why won’t religion work?  Why can’t we get sprinkled as a baby, confirmed as a teen, or baptized as an adult?  Isn’t joining a church and trying to be good, good enough?  John says the problem is this, “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”  (v.5)  God is inexpressibly holy and infinitely righteous, demanding moral perfection for those who would be in His heaven.  Who among us can claim that?  Even in the best person you have ever met, there is some darkness—so how can we be in right standing with God?

When by God’s gracious intervention, and the Holy Spirit’s call, we repent—turn from walking the path of darkness to the path of light (v.6-7)—the orientation of our life is changed—something so radical as to be described as a new birth.  It is unthinkable that such a work of God within us would not produce an effect in our lifestyle.  Only Christ can save us.  We are not saved because we decide to “clean up our act.”  The stain of sin is too dark and deep.  The blood of Christ alone can cleanse us.  The evidence that His blood has cleansed us, however, will be seen in holy living.

Does this mean that one who comes to Christ is perfect?  As to our position in Christ, we are accepted in Him, but as to our practice, it is progressive, and we will stumble at times.  Even so, provision is made for cleansing (v.9) and the child of God will want that fellowship restored. God is faithful and just to forgive us of all sin, but we must confess—the word means to agree—acknowledging our need and receiving Christ.  Do you have this new life?  If not I beg you—come to Christ today!

WILL GOD FORGIVE ME?

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1)

David had failed God--not only committing adultery, but trying to cover his tracks by having his lover's husband killed.  What is secret sin on earth, is open scandal in heaven.  David's sin had been exposed.  For months, this evil had eaten at him--a malignant thing--which had now been exposed with surgical precision by the prophet Nathan.  What was David to do now?  Surely he wondered, "Will God forgive me?"  Maybe you are wondering the same thing.  Satan is so crafty.  Before we sin, he whispers, "Go ahead!  God is merciful and He will forgive you."  Then, as soon as we yield to temptation, he shouts, "Give up!  God is righteous and He will never forgive you!"  David's response needs to be ours.

We hear THE CRY THAT ASKS FORGIVENESS (Ps.51:1-2).  He asks God for compassion.  On blended knee and with a broken-heart He falls upon the mercy of God.  He asks for covering.  David had tried to cover up his sin to no avail.  Only God can blot out our iniquity, and He does so as we confess it.  David asks for cleansing.  Sin makes us dirty where soap cannot cleanse.  "What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

We also hear THE CONFESSION THAT ANTICIPATES FORGIVENESS (Ps.51:3-6).  "Passing the buck," is a common human trait that can be traced to the first sin in Eden.  When God confronted them, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent.  The promise of Scripture in 1 John 1:9 is conditional, "IF WE CONFESS our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (emphasis added)

Then, there follows THE CLEANSING THAT ACCOMPLISHES FORGIVENESS (Ps.51:7-9). Cleansing from sin restores holiness.  The stain of sin that we cannot remove is cleansed by God.  Cleansing returns happiness.  The sorrow of sin that we cannot escape is replaced by the gladness of experiencing grace.  Cleansing resumes hopefulness.  The Devil is quite the prosecuting attorney.  He wants a guilty verdict, but our Defense Attorney--Jesus Christ--is superior!

Next we find THE COMMUNION THAT ACCOMPANIES FORGIVENESS (Ps.51:10-12). The child of God, once born into His family, will never be disowned, but if he or she rebels they will be disciplined.  The relationship is settled, but sin will cause the fellowship to be strained.  The Spirit who seemed so near at one time, will be as though He has taken flight.  The shouts of joy that once erupted from our lips, out of the wellspring of a soul in communion with God, are silenced by our disobedience.  There is only one way to get back--like the Prodigal Son returning in repentance to his Father--and what a communion and celebration awaits!

It all ends with THE CONSECRATION THAT ACKNOWLEDGES FORGIVENESS (Ps.51:13-19). Grace experienced leads to gratitude expressed.  How can we fail to serve a God who has been so merciful?  There is the consecration of our witness.  Having received forgiveness, we want others to have it.  There is the consecration of our worship.  Our mouth sings of His grace!  There is the consecration of our work.  David had a great responsibility, and he was now able to get back to it.

Will God forgive me?  YES--over and over--YES!

IT’S ABOUT TIME!

 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.  (1 Corinthians 11:26)

“It’s about time!”  You’ve heard that—usually as an expression of exasperation or relief.  You may have also heard, “Time is money.”  It is more valuable than that.  If you lose money, there is the possibility of recovering it—or gaining more.  Every tick off the clock, however, is gone forever.  Are you squandering time, spending time—or investing it in that which has eternal significance?  Each opportunity to meet and share the Lord’s Supper is an important time on the calendar.  That family meal is about time.

It is A TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE (1 Cor.11:23-25).  The phrase, “in remembrance of Me,” is used twice.  When we take the time to take the bread, it is a reminder of Christ’s body—beaten, bruised and bloodied for us.  When we drink the cup, it is a memorial to His blood—the cleansing fountain that flows from Immanuel’s veins.  It is time to recall the greatest gift to meet our greatest need.  “It is finished!” (John 19:30) as to the work to be done on the cross, but we will never cease to worship Him for what He did.

It is A TIME FOR REFLECTION (1 Cor.11:27-32).  We prepare to partake of the Lord’s Supper with a season of self-examination.  A spiritual inventory is to be a regular feature of the believer’s life.  Where are you today in your walk with Christ?  How does it compare to this time last week, last month, or last year?  Are you making progress?  Questions we should consistently consider:

• Are there any sins to confess?
• Are there any relationships to mend?
• Are there any commitments to honor? 

The Lord’s Supper is a TIME FOR REDEDICATION (1 Cor.11:26)  There is not only the past dimension of remembrance—Jesus came and died for us—and the present aspect of reflection—Jesus is here by His Spirit and wants communion with us—there is, further, the promised season of return—Jesus is coming again and that challenges us to rededicate ourselves to live in light of eternity.  There will be a time when the Lord’s Supper will be superseded by the Lamb’s Supper (Rev.19:7-10).  There will be no need for the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper, for we will actually be in His visible presence in Heaven!  So we look to the future with anticipation—and that calls us to consecration.  Right now, I will redeem my time; I will rededicate myself to serving Him, so He will find me busy when He returns.

It’s about time!