Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris shared how Christians living in this world are to have an expectation of difficulty and tribulation. John exhorts us to take heart in the midst of it, since we are designed as God’s children to thrive during trials and tribulations. Jesus has made a way for you and I to have peace. He has made a way for us to have peace that dissolves fear and secures us in times of trouble. John 16:33 Tells us to take heart. Other translations say to “be of good cheer” and “act of courage in the face of danger”. We are called to live from a position of victory, not for victory. We don’t have to fight for victory, it is already ours In Jesus.

John 16:33 (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:1 (ESV)

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

  1. Victory by believing in Jesus. Who do you rely on?  We need to know who to believe. We must have a belief in the reality that we can only rely on Jesus for salvation. Our works won’t save us. We can only come to the Father through Christ. Jesus asked the disciples “who do you say that I am?”. Ask yourself the same question.
  • Believing He: 
    • Is the Word of Life (1:1). 
    • Is our advocate and atonement (2:1-2). 
    • Has come in the flesh (4:2). 
    • Is the propitiation for our sins (4:10) 
    • Is God’ s Son (4:14). 
    • Is the Savior of the World (4:14). 

Matthew 16:16 (ESV)

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

1 John 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 

  1. Victory Through Love. We were never created to manufacture love. We receive love from God and become conduits of love to other people. We lean into God’s heart for them. We don’t work FOR the Father’s love, we work FROM the Father’s love.

Love the Father. 

1 John 5:1 (NIV84)

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

Love the Savior. 

1 John 5:2 (ESV)

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 

Love the brothers. 

1 John 5:2–3 (ESV)

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

  1. Victory Through Obedience to God. If you love God, you will obey God. When you love Him, you will recognize that His commandments are a blessing and not a burden. Striving stems from fear, and we know that perfect love casts out fear. 

God’s commandments are a blessing, not a burden.  

1 John 5:3 (ESV)

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1 John 5:4–5 (ESV)

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Ways we show that we have not overcome the world:

1. Being political over spiritual. Jesus is not first.

2. Sibling rivalry. Brothers and sisters in Christ are fighting rather than loving one another.

3. Offense. When we give into offense, we give into an entrapment of bitterness.

Discussion questions

1. Why do you think some Christians appear to not be experiencing victory?

2. What are some things that Christians will rely on to save them apart from Jesus?

3. How are we to respond when we experience tribulation or trial?

4. How do Christians give up their status as an overcomer?

5. How do political issues, sibling rivalries, and areas of offense block Christian unity?

Processing Questions

1. Ask the Lord to reveal any places He is pressing in your heart in relation to today’s sermon. Is there any area you may need to submit to Him?
2. How easy is it for you to ask for help? Why do you think that is?

3. Who or what are you relying on for your salvation?

4. How can you practically choose to live as an overcomer this week?

5. Is the Lord calling you to realign to His ways in a specific way this week?