Text: 2 Cor. 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
SONG:
The devil and I had a fight, BUT I WON!
Me and devil and can’t agree, I hate him and he hates me.
And I’m still winning!
Give God a victory praise…you’re still winning!
People may have talked, gossiped and judged, but you won.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Shammah
(11) And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. (12) But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.[1]
1 Tim. 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
Matthew 12:9-21
(9) And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
(10) And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
(11) And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
(12) How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
(13) Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
(14) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
(15) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
- He knew of the plot which they had formed against his life; but his hour was not yet come, and he therefore sought security.
- By remaining, his presence would only have provoked them further and endangered his own life. He acted, therefore, the part of prudence and withdrew.
- Just because you can don’t mean you should.
- “He healed them all.” Jesus healed their diseases, and preached to them the good news of salvation.[2]
(16) And charged them that they should not make him known:
(17) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
(18) Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
(19) He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
- He did not shout as a warrior.
- He is meek, retiring, and peaceful.
- He didn’t seek publicity, fame and popularity.[3]
(20) A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
- Jesus did not oppress the feeble and poor
- The “bruised reed” is a type of the brokenness of the soul on account of sin; weeping and mourning for transgression.
- Jesus will not break it; He will not be severe, unforgiving, and cruel. He will heal you, pardon you, and give you strength.
- He will not further oppress those who have little strength; nor put out hope and life when it seems to be almost extinct.
- He will cherish the feeble flame, tend to it and give it the oil of grace until it is kindled into a blaze.
- He will not allow you to be defeated – BUT I WON!
- The truth is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ conquer.[4]
(21) And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
The Portal of Victory:[5]
- Intense Prayer
- Intense Hunger & Desire
- Faith & Expectation
1 John 5:4-5
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
(5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
But I Won
[1] 2 Samuel 23:11-12
[2] Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Matthew 12:9-21.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Missionary MVMUTHU. (n.d.). The River of God’s Glory.
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 