VICTORY (NIKE)

By

Shelby G. Floyd

We thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ:

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5: 4-5 NIV). The terms “victory” and “overcomes” in this text translate from the Greek work “nike.” Nike means to be victorious, prevail, conqueror, overcome and win. God wants us to be victorious, not a victim. How do we win?

Victory through the New Birth

We have the victory through the new birth into God’s family: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well” (1 John 5:1). Jesus said we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5).

Victory through Love

Through our love for God and God’s children we have the victory (1 John 5:1). Jesus declared that all men will know that we are his disciples when we love as he has loved us: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34 ESV).

Victory through Obedience

Genuine love is always joined with obedience, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments” (1 John 5:2 ESV). Obedience to God’s word is not a burden when we love God. “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).Human traditions and man-made rules are heavy loads to carry, but the yoke of Christ is light (Matthew 23:4; 11:30).

Victory over the World

We have the ultimate victory over death and the world through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5)? Nike—We WIN! “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Revelation 21:7).

Copyright © 2012 2020 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved



Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

shelby@thefloyds.net


 

VICTORY AVENUE

By

Shelby G. Floyd

What a great song service today! There is nothing like a great song service to lift a preacher up and cause him to do the best job he can in presenting a sermon (Ephesians 5:18-19). We appreciate so much all of you singing out on those beautiful songs in praise to our God.

I am sure that all of us are very happy with the good weather and the Thanksgiving holiday we’ve had this past week. We were blessed last week to have our daughter Cheryl and Greg with us. And today we’re glad to have our daughter Teresa and John with us. We are also glad that many of you have family and visitors with you today.

Some time ago I preached a series of lessons based on the streets in the neighborhood around our church building. The people who planned this neighborhood must have been religious, because they named the streets after biblical concepts. I presented sermons on Faith Street, Melody Avenue, Hope Court and Love Avenue. The Bible declares that there is “faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). But I overlooked one of the streets around our church building-and that is the street called Victory Avenue. That is the title of this lesson. Continue reading “VICTORY AVENUE”