God Exalted; Never Defeated
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
“The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 113:4)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Theme: The power of Jesus Christ can never be defeated. Because God is the greatest power, we can never be defeated. The devil is a liar and God is exalted.
Introduction
The word defeat means to win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; to overcome or beat. It is an instance of defeating or being defeated.
In every battle there is a Victor. A Victor is a person who defeats an enemy or opponent in a battle, game or other competition.
Victor Christus is Jesus Christ who overcame all powers of evil and the devil. In overcoming Satan through His death and resurrection, He took the keys of eternal death from Satan; therefore, stripping him of all power.
1 John 3:8 (NIV) tells us the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” I John 3:8 NKJV
The purpose of Christ coming to the world was twofold.
From the beginning of Christ’s ministry, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
Jesus immediately started conquering and defeating sickness, disease, and sin.
His immediate response toward the pain and suffering of man was to go on the attack.
He never resigned Himself to just accept things the way they are.
Jesus has a theology of revolt against the evil that is in the world.
Acts 10:38 (NIV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and… He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.
When Jesus set people free from disease, He was releasing them from the beating of Satan.
Jesus was setting the captives free.
Even death was part of the curse that came.
Death was not a part of God’s original plan.
Jesus came to this earth for a broad reason.
He came to set captives free.
He came to defeat sin.
He came to defeat death.
He came to end the war.
Jesus came in a military endeavor to defeat.
1 John 3:8 (NIV) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
John 12:31 NIV Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Hebrews 2:14 he came to destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil.
1 Corinthians 15: 25 says He must reign until he has put all His enemies under His feet.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Jesus came as an act of war against Satan and his kingdom.
We need to see the broad reason for Christ’s coming into this world.
Jesus did not just come into the world to Conquer our individual sins, He came to Conquer sin itself.
Matthew 12:28-30 NIV If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
Jesus was making it clear that He came to drive out and destroy Satan’s kingdom.
Then Jesus brings us into this ministry.
Matthew 12:30 NIV “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
His life, death, and resurrection bind up the strong man.
By His cross, He has conquered.
Now He expects us to come behind Him and pillage and plunder the house of darkness.
Jesus does not immediately restore creation to its original design.
Jesus expects us to come behind Him and take back what Satan has stolen.
Jesus expects us to combat the forces of darkness in His power and through His Spirit.
Matthew 16:18-19 Amplified And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.
Romans 8:37 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Jesus Christ has conquered and we have been made more than conquerors through Him.
We need to believe that Satan has already been destroyed
We need to believe that Satan has already been completely destroyed (Heb. 2:14) and simply enforce his defeat. The only power he has is the power to deceive. Our battle should be against the wiles (trickery) of the devil (Eph. 6:11), not the devil himself. Any other approach is actually giving the devil authority and power which he doesn’t have, and he uses that to intimidate us.
The only weapon Satan has is the power we give him when we believe his lies.
Warfare only takes place between two undefeated foes. Once an enemy has been conquered, the war is over. Satan is a defeated foe.
Colossians 2:15 says, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” The archaic meaning of the word “spoiled” here is “to plunder; despoil” (American Heritage Dictionary). This means that after Jesus defeated Satan, He stripped him of everything he had, specifically the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18). Satan has no power to imprison anyone.
In the midst of tragedy, terrorist attacks, and headline news, we can be confident of this:
Without the pain and reality of the cross, without Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, without the power of the Resurrection and His final victory over sin and death, we would still be bound. We would still live defeated. We would still be groping in darkness.
In all of history, there is not one more redeeming, liberating, or costly gift, than the cross of Christ.
Yet many resist his sacrificial grace:
But they don't know this one Truth – you can never overcome the Power of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. You cannot conquer its reality. You can’t hide it away or pretend it doesn’t exist. His Power is incapable of being shut down, ignored, forgotten, or destroyed. Ever.
For He is the One who reigns supreme. Death holds no sting, no power, over those who are forever changed by his forgiveness and grace.
What the price of the cross and the Resurrection of Christ offers us:
Because God is the greatest power, we shall never be defeated!
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
“The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 113:4)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Theme: The power of Jesus Christ can never be defeated. Because God is the greatest power, we can never be defeated. The devil is a liar and God is exalted.
Introduction
The word defeat means to win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; to overcome or beat. It is an instance of defeating or being defeated.
In every battle there is a Victor. A Victor is a person who defeats an enemy or opponent in a battle, game or other competition.
Victor Christus is Jesus Christ who overcame all powers of evil and the devil. In overcoming Satan through His death and resurrection, He took the keys of eternal death from Satan; therefore, stripping him of all power.
1 John 3:8 (NIV) tells us the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” I John 3:8 NKJV
The purpose of Christ coming to the world was twofold.
- First, He came to bring about the salvation of man. On a personal level, Jesus came to die for us. Christ death on the cross accomplished much more than our personal salvation.
- Second, Christ came to destroy the work of Satan. In the Old and New Testament cultures the fundamental world view accepted the fact that evil existed and at the root of it was Satan. Believers did not wonder why God allowed a person to be crippled with scoliosis; they simply attributed it to Satan.
From the beginning of Christ’s ministry, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
Jesus immediately started conquering and defeating sickness, disease, and sin.
His immediate response toward the pain and suffering of man was to go on the attack.
He never resigned Himself to just accept things the way they are.
Jesus has a theology of revolt against the evil that is in the world.
Acts 10:38 (NIV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and… He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.
- He revealed the will of God when He started healing people.
- He revealed God by delivering those who were held captive and abused by Satan.
- He revealed the goodness of God by the many wonderful things He did.
- He went about healing people and freeing them from Satan’s oppression.
When Jesus set people free from disease, He was releasing them from the beating of Satan.
Jesus was setting the captives free.
Even death was part of the curse that came.
Death was not a part of God’s original plan.
Jesus came to this earth for a broad reason.
He came to set captives free.
He came to defeat sin.
He came to defeat death.
He came to end the war.
Jesus came in a military endeavor to defeat.
1 John 3:8 (NIV) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
John 12:31 NIV Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Hebrews 2:14 he came to destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil.
1 Corinthians 15: 25 says He must reign until he has put all His enemies under His feet.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Jesus came as an act of war against Satan and his kingdom.
We need to see the broad reason for Christ’s coming into this world.
Jesus did not just come into the world to Conquer our individual sins, He came to Conquer sin itself.
- He came to destroy the principality and power behind all sin.
- He did not just come to heal our sick bodies; He came to conquer the power that makes us sick.
- He came to destroy the principalities and powers that breed oppression.
- He did not just come to give liberty to captives; He came to lead captivity captive.
Matthew 12:28-30 NIV If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
Jesus was making it clear that He came to drive out and destroy Satan’s kingdom.
Then Jesus brings us into this ministry.
Matthew 12:30 NIV “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
His life, death, and resurrection bind up the strong man.
By His cross, He has conquered.
Now He expects us to come behind Him and pillage and plunder the house of darkness.
Jesus does not immediately restore creation to its original design.
Jesus expects us to come behind Him and take back what Satan has stolen.
Jesus expects us to combat the forces of darkness in His power and through His Spirit.
Matthew 16:18-19 Amplified And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.
- Here Jesus establishes the principle that He is the rock that the Church is built upon.
- His Church will be strong enough to destroy, and take everything Satan has claimed.
- Satan’s offensive weapons will not be able to stand against the Church.
- We need to get this image in our mind and spirit.
Romans 8:37 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Jesus Christ has conquered and we have been made more than conquerors through Him.
- You are the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and you are staged for victory.
- We should prepare ourselves for victory.
- We are conquerors through Him who loved us.
- We need to address the evil that is in this world with this in mind.
- We are going to overcome every one of Satan’s attacks.
- None of the gates of hell will be able to hold us back.
We need to believe that Satan has already been destroyed
We need to believe that Satan has already been completely destroyed (Heb. 2:14) and simply enforce his defeat. The only power he has is the power to deceive. Our battle should be against the wiles (trickery) of the devil (Eph. 6:11), not the devil himself. Any other approach is actually giving the devil authority and power which he doesn’t have, and he uses that to intimidate us.
The only weapon Satan has is the power we give him when we believe his lies.
Warfare only takes place between two undefeated foes. Once an enemy has been conquered, the war is over. Satan is a defeated foe.
Colossians 2:15 says, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” The archaic meaning of the word “spoiled” here is “to plunder; despoil” (American Heritage Dictionary). This means that after Jesus defeated Satan, He stripped him of everything he had, specifically the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18). Satan has no power to imprison anyone.
In the midst of tragedy, terrorist attacks, and headline news, we can be confident of this:
- Our God still reigns.
- Christ our Lord is the Only One who has conquered death, through the power of the cross and the Resurrection.
- He is the One who holds ultimate victory. Evil will never defeat Him, for He has the final say.
- His powerful Truths rise strong above all fear and uncertainty
- Only in One can true freedom be found.
- Only in One can we be made new.
- Only in One can we find lasting peace and hope.
- Only in One can we be set free.
Without the pain and reality of the cross, without Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, without the power of the Resurrection and His final victory over sin and death, we would still be bound. We would still live defeated. We would still be groping in darkness.
In all of history, there is not one more redeeming, liberating, or costly gift, than the cross of Christ.
Yet many resist his sacrificial grace:
- To some in this world, the cross doesn’t make sense. It is foolishness to their minds. They don’t understand it. They won’t accept it. They live blinded to its power and grace.
- To others the cross of Christ brings an offense. They are offended by its sacrifice. They are offended by the Truth that Jesus paved the only way for us to be saved. They hide under the false belief that there must still be another way to come to God.
- To many people the cross of Christ stirs up hatred. There is an intense attack on those who call themselves Christ followers, on those who will not bow their knee to another god. We see it throughout history, stories of many courageous believers who have suffered violent persecution and death at the hands of those trying to destroy the knowledge of Christ and annihilate Christianity. We see it even today, as ISIS has named their target in the midst of their evil war, as the people of the Cross.
But they don't know this one Truth – you can never overcome the Power of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. You cannot conquer its reality. You can’t hide it away or pretend it doesn’t exist. His Power is incapable of being shut down, ignored, forgotten, or destroyed. Ever.
For He is the One who reigns supreme. Death holds no sting, no power, over those who are forever changed by his forgiveness and grace.
What the price of the cross and the Resurrection of Christ offers us:
- It provides a bridge, a way, to God. It gives us an opportunity to have a personal relationship with the very God who made us and loves us more than we could imagine. Without the cross, there is no way to cross over to the other side of relationship with him. Any attempt will fail. He is the Only Way.
- It provides opportunity for forgiveness of sin. Through the price Jesus paid on Calvary, we have the chance to be forgiven of our own sin. He took our sin and shame upon his very shoulders. He took the blows on our behalf so we wouldn’t have to suffer. Such incredible love. Such amazing sacrifice.
- It provides freedom to all those who believe. Freedom from the shackles of sin. Freedom from shame. Freedom from fear. Freedom from disgrace. Freedom from worry. Freedom from hopelessness. Freedom from despair. Freedom from addiction. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from darkness and eternal separation from God.
- It provides new life. We are not only forgiven, cleansed, and set free, but we have a whole new life and destiny through Christ. We are changed, from the inside. He renews our minds. He changes our hearts and desires. He gives us fresh purpose for every day set before us.
- It provides power for us to live today. When Jesus died on the cross, and was buried, it didn’t stop there. The final picture of all that the cross provides lies in the powerful Resurrection of our Lord. He won. He didn’t stay dead. He could not be closed in a tomb and forgotten through the ages. His power broke through, and that same power is alive within us today. As believers, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, living and moving through us each day. Sometimes we forget it’s there. Often we don’t ask him for a fresh filling of his Spirit breathed into our day. But he’s still there, waiting to help us and to live mightily through our lives.
- It provides the way to have victory over the enemy. We do not have to fear him or his assaults. As we live aware of his traps, the power of Christ over our lives gives us a covering and protection from his evil schemes. We’re not left to fend for ourselves. We do not fight in our own strength. We can stand in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, “for in him, we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28
- It provides for us an eternal heavenly home. We no longer have to fear and worry about what will happen when we die. In Christ we have been given the gift of eternal life. This earth is only our temporary home. God is preparing a place for us, with him, to live forever. And you can be assured it will be far greater than we could ever imagine.
Because God is the greatest power, we shall never be defeated!
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