“Overcome” Rv.2:7, –Fifteen times in Revelation martyrs –Some saints would overcome as martyrs living –Others by living in the world w/o becoming of the world To win in the face of obstacles, be victor, conquer, overcome, prevailTo win in the face of obstacles, be victor, conquer, overcome, prevail Rv.17:14 = Jn.16:33

I The Lamb’s Provisions For Overcoming 1. He gives us the truth 1. He gives us the truth, Jn.8: Mk.7:1-13…14 –Just because most people lived in darkness didn’t mean the disciples had to We don’t have to share popular but false views (situation ethics) –Just because the disciples had been in the dark didn’t mean they had to stay there

2. He shows us how to become sons of God 2. He shows us how to become sons of God, Ro.8:14 Led by Spirit Where does H.S. lead? Ga.3:26, by faith (27 shows how) –Many exchange the Spirit’s leading for the world’s thinking

3. He provides a way to resist every temptation 3. He provides a way to resist every temptation, 1 Co.10:13 With every temptation He provides an escape: way out of some difficulty There is a way out, as there was a way in; the trial is never above the strength that God gives him to bear it –Gn.39 –1 Sm. 24:24-29 –2 Pt.2:9

4. He gives strength to endure suffering 4. He gives strength to endure suffering, 2 Co.1:3-10 Paul despaired, yet learned to trust God We may learn to thank God for painWe may learn to thank God for pain! Pain helps: –us –us (drives us to God; kindles gratitude; weans away from worldly desires), 3 –other sufferers –other sufferers (equips us to comfort others who experience pain), 4, 6 –those whosee our example –those who see our example, 8-11

5. He offers us heaven 5. He offers us heaven, 2 Pt.1 Well-rounded We cannot be content w. an incomplete life We abound…in these things (8) This molds us into the divine image (4) and prepares us for heaven So“So” = in this manner, 11

II The Lamb’s Plan For Overcoming 1. Blood of Christ –Constantine... 1 Jn.1:9. Hb.7:25 2. Love of God –Many picture God as harsh, cruel, unloving –Wrong! 1 Jn.3:1

3. Word of God 3. Word of God, 1 Jn.2:14 –Abides in you = control; under the influence. 1 Jn.3:9 4. Prayer 4. Prayer, 1 Jn.5:15 –We have our requests, not always as we pray, but as we would pray were we wiser. God gives us what we really need –V.16, added benefit: others pray for us –No sin is too great for God’s mercy if one is willing to repent

5. Fellowship with other Christians 5. Fellowship with other Christians, 1 Jn.1:3,7 –Fellowship is joint participation toward a common goal, like the members of a team who encourage and help one another 6.Hope of eternal life 6.Hope of eternal life, 1 Jn.3:3. 2 Jn.12

Three Jewish Psychiatrists 1.Sigmund Freud: pleasure 2.Alfred Adler: power 3.Victor Frankl: ? – Hope…a sense of meaning “He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how” – “He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how” (Nietzsche) – 2 Co.2:1-11

III The Lamb’s Persuasion For Overcoming 2 Co.5:14, love of Christ constrains, compels Obsessive people (Ph.3:13) –Jacob had it for Rachel –Joseph had it for God (Gn.39) –Christians have it

2 Co.5:15, if He died for us… …it is only fitting that we live for Him “He died for us that we might die to ourselves”“He died for us that we might die to ourselves” Q: Who are you living for? Ans.: The person or thing you love most!