Today I will endeavor to cover the term Overcomer but before I get to it I will use part of a teachings dealing with the Apostle Paul and his ministry. As a means to discover what one might suffer to be considered an overcomer. Because his ministry if anything he was Courageous and Selfless in Ministry through the Grace of God. Grace being the enabling resource of GOD given man in the person of the Spirit of Christ when He is restored to our spirit.
"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)
Paul was given ministry by the grace of God. "I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me" (Ephesians 3:7). To put it another way, he received his ministry from the resurrected LORD: "the ministry which I received from the LORD Christ Jesus." Paul's bountiful ministry was developed by the grace of God working within him. "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which is within me" (1Corinthians 15:10). Also, his ministry was to declare God's grace: "to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God." Paul's life demonstrates that such "grace saturated" service leads to courageous, selfless ministry.
Paul's ministry was courageous. "But none of these things move me." The things that Paul faced were formidable. "The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me" (Acts 20:23). Down through the centuries, matters less substantial than these have moved many a professing Christian from completing his calling. Yet, by leaning upon the sustaining Grace of God, Paul courageously endured great hardships and dangers in the service of the Gospel of Grace. "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in fastings" (2Corinthians 6:4-5).
Related to this courageous service was Paul's selflessness: "nor do I count my life dear to myself." Soon, he would encounter another sober warning. It was given from a prophet of the LORD, who took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet. "So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles" (Acts 21:11). Those standing by, who loved Paul deeply, urged him not to proceed. Nevertheless, Paul confessed his willingness to even lose his life for the gospel, if necessary. "Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the LORD Christ Jesus' " (Acts 21:13). Such renouncing of self allowed Paul to "finish [his] race with joy." Thus his final testimony would become, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2Timothy 4:7).
This was copied from a writing and teaching done by Pastor Robert Hoekstra available on the web.
Overcomer:
1John 2:12-14, 15-18 "I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the Will of God abides for ever."
John 4:4-6 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of error."
1John 5:1-4, 5-12 "Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of GOD: and every one that loves Him that is born again loves the Father also that is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of GOD? This is One that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is Truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy (Spirit or) Ghost: and these three are One. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in One, Christ. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of GOD which HE has testified of HIS Son. He that believes the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not GOD has made HIM a liar; because he believes not the record that GOD gave of HIS Son. And this is the record, that GOD has given to us Eternal Life, and this Life is in HIS Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of GOD has not life."
No comments:
Post a Comment