Born to Overcome
August 26, 2007
Scripture reference: Mark
4:35-40
John 16:33
As Christians, as long as
we live on earth, we’re bound to face trials, persecutions, tribulations and
so on. They come in different shape and form for every person. For example,
one person’s trials or temptations might not be a problem for another. Even
though we know that we might face these trials or tribulations some time or
another, it’s important not to focus on them. We need to “major in the
major, not in the minor.” When we major in the minor, or start to pay
attention to the trials, we will begin to lose our focus.
When these things arise,
that’s when our true identity will be tested. That’s when how you spent your
time prior to it will be tested. Have you been preparing yourself for it?
What have you been doing with your time before this? Have you been wasting
it doing unnecessary things or have you been spending it wisely, reading the
Word, praying, and getting prepared overall?
Now that school has begun,
we will be facing different types of temptations and testing. However,
despite of their occurrence, we need to know and learn to focus on what’s
actually important and we also need to know how to overcome and come out the
other side victorious.
First of all, we need to
live with the attitude that says, “I am born to overcome!” Of course it’s
always easy to talk about and/or preach about overcoming, but the question
is, how do we really react when we’re actually in the situation.
Let’s take a look at the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4. Jesus’
disciples went into the boat in order to “go over to the other side.” Jesus,
too, was in the boat. During their trip, a strong storm arose and the
disciples were in danger. When that happened, they went to Jesus. Then Jesus
got up and said to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” and the storm was quieted.
Every single one of us,
when we allowed Jesus to come into our lives, He already came into the boat.
Therefore when any kind of storm arises in our lives, we need to realize
that Jesus is still in the boat, with the same power he had when he calmed
the storm in Mark 4. You might not always hear Him, but He’s still in you.
He will never leave you. So when any storm arise, don’t be dismayed or try
to fight it off your self, let Jesus do it for you.
FOUR REASONS TO BE
CONFIDENT THAT YOU’RE INDEED AN OVERCOMER:
When troubles, trials, or any kind of tribulations knock at your door, the
first thing you need to do is understand that Jesus is still in you. The
Bible says “resist the devil, and he’ll flee from you.” Not only will he
flee, but he’ll flee in terror, in fear. We’re not supposed to face the
trouble, we’re not supposed to face the terror, but we need to allow Jesus
to deal with it.
1) You are an over comer
because you are born of God.
1 John 5:4 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this
is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” Whoever is born of
God is already an over comer. You’re born to overcome. You already
became one the day you were born again. Know that since you are born again
and you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, nothing or no one can harm you in
any way. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:16 that we are His temple, and if
any one harms the temple of God, God will destroy him. So live with
confidence that you are protected every single second of the day.
2) You are and over comer
because of your faith.
The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of
God. Therefore the more you read, meditate, understand, and grow in the Word
the more you overcome. The reason is because you have taken the Word in you
and you have developed faith, and you have developed a relationship with
God. The Word of God in you causes you to overcome.
3) You are an over comer
because Jesus has overcome the world.
In John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “In the world you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus says that there will
indeed be troubles (which are the minor), however He also says be cheerful
because He has already overcome (which is the major). Who is in the boat?
Jesus is, which means that He who has overcome the world is in you. He
stopped the storm because He was in the boat and He could stop any of your
storms because He lives in you. You just need to let Him.
4) You are an over comer
because “He who lives in you is greater than the one that is in the world”
(1 John 4:4).
There are many things we are unable to do ourselves. When they come, we need
to know who to turn to. We need to turn to the One who can calm any storm,
Jesus Christ!
Preached by: Pastor Teddy
Written by: Rebka Tekeste