Today's Sermon Notes:

Thanks Be to God, For Victory Through Jesus

Primary Text:  

1 Cor. 15:57   But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   [NKJV]

Introduction

Thanks - 1. (n.) A feeling or expression of gratitude:
    • appreciation
    • acknowledgment
    • gratefulness - Appreciative of benefits received
    • recognition - give credit for something

To God - He is the one who gives us the benefit of victory.   Therefore, He deserves the credit for our victory. He deserves appreciation and recognition.

Who Gives - He gives. In most wars victory is uncertain. One can give their best, fight with all their might, and still lose to a superior force, and sometimes an inferior force.

Eccles. 9:11 I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being at the right place at the right time.   [NLT]

Even when we have to do the fighting, we must still give God the credit and the thanks. Because without His grace and strength, the demonic enemies would still defeat us.

2 Samuel 23:8-12 (KJV) 
^{2Sa 23:8 (KJV)}  These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 
^{2Sa 23:9 (KJV)}  And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 
^{2Sa 23:10 (KJV)}  He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. 
^{2Sa 23:11 (KJV)}  And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 
^{2Sa 23:12 (KJV)}  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. 

But our victory is guaranteed, if we only abide in Christ and believe God’s word.       

vic·to·ry (v¹k“t…-r¶) n., pl. vic·to·ries. Abbr. V 1. Defeat of an enemy or opponent. 2. Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle. 3. The state of having triumphed.

God gives us victory daily in every circumstance of life. Through Christ, we defeat the enemy, and achieve success despite difficulties or obstacles.

2 Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  [KJV]

Us - Not the world, but the church. We have been given the victory.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [KJV]

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ - A relationship with Christ and with God through Christ is the means through which God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have given us the victory. You can’t have victory, if Jesus isn’t your Lord.

Psalm 60:12 (KJV)  THROUGH GOD we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Our Victories in Christ Jesus

• We have Victory Over the World

1 John 5:2-5 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?   [NKJV]

1 John 5:2-5 We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult. 4For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. 5And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  [NLT]

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.   [NKJV]

John 16:33  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [NKJV]

2 Peter 2:20  People can know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and escape the world's filth. But if they get involved in this filth again and give in to it, they are worse off than they were before.  [GW]

• We have Victory over the guilt of the past.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  [NKJV]

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  [KJV]

• We have Victory over sin.

2Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  [NKJV]

• We have Victory over temptation

1 Cor. 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. [NKJV]

Hebrews 2:18  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.  [NKJV]

• Victory over the devil.

1 John 4:3-4 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.   [NKJV]

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. [KJV]

James 4:7   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  [KJV]

• Victory over sickness

Psalm 103:2-3  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  [KJV]

James 5:14-16 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.   [NIV]

• Victory over lack

Philip. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   [KJV]

2 Cor. 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.   [NLT]

• Victory over evil thoughts (Including doubt, worry, fear, etc.)

2 Cor. 10:4-5  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,  [NKJV]

Philip. 4:6-7  Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. 7Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.   [GW]

• Victory over weakness

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  [KJV]

• Victory over death

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. [KJV]

1 Cor. 15:52-55 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  [KJV]

1 Thes. 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  [KJV]

Thank God for Jesus

Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  [KJV]

Luke 10:18-20 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. [KJV]

Psalm 107:1-8 
    Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    For His mercy endures forever. 
    2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, 
    3And gathered out of the lands,
    From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
    4They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
    They found no city to dwell in. 
    5Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. 
    6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    And He delivered them out of their distresses. 
    7And He led them forth by the right way,
    That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 
    8Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
    And for His wonderful works to the children of men!  [NKJV]

2 Cor. 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.  [KJV]