Victory in Jesus

TEXT:  1 Cor. 15:50-57

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SOME CONTESTS IMPORTANT, SOME NOT.

B.      THE GREATEST CONTEST -- A MUST WIN SITUATION!

C.      VICTORY IN JESUS( 1 Cor. 15:57 ).

D.      IN CHRIST WE HAVE VICTORY OVER:

I.      SORROW.

A.      Job 14:1;  1 Thess. 4:13-14.

B.      2 Cor. 1:3-11.

II.     MEN.

A.      GOD IS WITH US( Heb. 13:5-6 ).

B.      Rom. 8:31;  Matt. 10:28.

III.    DEATH.

A.      Job 14:14.  "IF A MAN DIE, WILL HE LIVE AGAIN?"

B.      1 Pet. 1:3;  Heb. 2:14-15.

C.      2 Cor. 4:13-14.

IV.   SIN.

A.      TEMPTATION.

          1.       Jesus understands( Heb. 2:18;  4:15 )

          2.       He provides escape( 1 Cor. 10:13;  2 Pet. 2:9 ).

          3.       Faith is the victory( 1 John 5:4-5;  Eph. 6:16;  Rom. 10:17 )

B.      WHEN MAN SINS.

          1.       All sin( Rom. 2:23 ).

          2.       Death( 6:23 ).

          3.       Man can't save himself on his own merit( Eph. 2:8-9 ).

          4.       We are redeemed to victory( 1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

C.      WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN.

          1.       Paul's dilemma( Rom. 7:21-25 ).

          2.       Live by the Spirit( Rom. 8:1-4 ).

          3.       1 John 1:6-7.  Involves repentance, coming out of the dark.

CONCLUSION:  PAUL'S CHALLENGE( 1 Cor. 15:58 ).

A.      NO VICTORY WITHOUT CONFLICT.

B.      WE MUST BE STEDFAST, UNMOVABLE.

C.      LABOR IS FOLLOWED BY VICTORY.

D.      OUR TRIUMPH IS IN CHRIST( 2 Cor. 2:14 ).

D.      ARE YOU IN CHRIST?