Text; 1 John 5:4 " For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

1 Cor. 15:57-58 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(vs58) Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary page 160 on 1 John 5:4   IN ITS CONFLICT -" Our text speaks  of overcoming, and overcoming is suggestive of struggle."Victory" implies combat. The Divine life in man and the life ungodly world are essentially antagonistic. Satan is "the prince of this world"---"the god of this world.""St. John  constantly teaches," says Canon Liddon, "that the Christian's work in this state of probation is to conquer 'the world.' it is in other words, to fight successfully against the view of life which ignores God, against that complex system of attractive moral and specious intellectual falsehood which is marshaled and organized by the great enemy of God, and which permeates and inspires non-Christian society. The world's force is seen especially in 'the lust of the flesh, in the lust of the eyes, and in the pride of life.' These three forms of concupiscence manifest the inner life of the world, and against them the Christian has to contend. It is the battle of truth against error, of light against darkness, and of love against hatred."

 IN ITS CONQUEST - Whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith". The Divine life in the children of God is by its nature mightier than the life and spirit of the unchristian world. There is conflict, but the conflict issues in the victory of the child of God. He is not overcome with evil, but overcomes evil with good. He is not led astray by "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the vain-glory of life," but rises superior to them. In proportion as he who "is begotten of God" participates in the life of God, he vanquishes the world and its temptations, both its seductions and its tribulations. And all the evil world, of which the apostle wrote, is destined to be completely conquered by the life of God working in and through men."

IN THE SECRET OF ITS POWER- " This is the victory that hath overcometh the world, even our faith. And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" Notice: 1 The nature of this faith. It is not mere intellectual acceptation of a theological proposition or propositions; " not that heartless assent which never touches the practice nor molds the affections." This faith is quite as much a moral as an intellectual act; it is of the heart as well as of the head; and it infuses courage, molds character, and directs conduct."

Subtopic: "Keep Getting Up"

 Text: Genesis 19: 17&26 " And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.(vs26)But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."

Premise

A Quote from Charles H. Spurgeon concerning Gen.19:17 " Escape for thy life" Lot must not stop to argue, nor must you. You have objections, to which my solitary answer is "Escape, escape, escape for your life!" That drowning man will not clutch the rope until I have explained to him the doctrine of specific gravity. O fool, what do you have to do with specific gravity when you are drowning? Lay hold of that rope and live! So there are some who must have  election or predestination explained to them. They must have this or that opened up to them and made clear as daylight. I beseech you, do not be such madmen . do not trifle with your souls, but escape for your life. that is the one business of the present hour. See to that first, and let other matters wait awhile till you are in a fit condition to consider them."

Subtopic: " The Church: The Security and Salvation of the Soul"

Text Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (vs20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (vs21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (vs22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

 2 Timothy 2:15-19 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.(vs16) But shun profane( not sacred, worldly)and vain babblings( to talk or speak foolishly): for they will increase unto more ungodliness.(vs17)And their word will eat as doth a canker:( anything that causes decay, rotting, or gradual eating away)of whom is Hy-me-nae'us and Phi-le'tus; (vs18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (vs19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary,Vol.21 ,Page 31, a Homily Comment on 2 Timothy 2:19. "THE COMFORT ADMIST ABOUNDING APOSTASY.

A. The Church Of God In Its Ever-During Stability. " Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth." 1. The church is very properly called a foundation, because it is placed in the world as the platform on which the whole future household of faith is to rest(Eph.2:20). Christ is the corner-stone of the foundation. 2. It stands firm from age to age on its unshaken foundation, notwithstanding all the efforts made to destroy it. It was to be the constant witness to the truth amidst all error and apostasy.

B. The Church Of God With Its Two-Fold Inscription. "Having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his; and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." It was an ancient custom to engrave upon a building an inscription which told of its origin and purpose. The names of the apostles were  written in the foundations of the apocalyptic city of God (Rev.21:14). The Church has a seal with a double inscription, which displays the true character of the edifice. 1.One Inscription Is The Legend Of Comfort And Hope." The Lord knoweth them that are his." What a comfort there is in the thought of this individualizing knowledge! What a hope there is in the thought that the saints are God's "purchased possession"! 2. Another Inscription Is The Legend of Duty." Let every one that nameth the Name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness." There is no place for unrighteousness in the Church of God. Therefore believers must separate themselves from all evil."

Subtopic:" Promises with a Purpose"

Text :2 Peter 1:3-4 " According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:(vs4)Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be the partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust".

2 Cor.6:14;16-18 & Chap. 7:1: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness?(vs16) 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 I will be their God, and they shall be my people.(vs17)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (vs18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty".Chapter7:1 "Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".

DEFINITION

Promise means "words said or written binding a person to do or not to do something.(2) indication of future excellence; something that gives hope of success or ground of expectation for".

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 19, pages184-185, a commentary on 2 Cor.7:1 "THE PROMISES OF GOD AN INCENTIVE TO HOLY LIVING. Divine promise is found in all parts of the Scripture. The crown of revelation is thickly studded with the pearls of promise. God encourages his people by multiplying promises to them. There are promises suited to every condition--- for joy, sorrow, sickness, health, penury(great poverty), prosperity, weakness, strength. We change greatly in experience, but in every new condition we find a promise appropriate to it. The manna of promise covers the path of pilgrimage. How needful are the promises to us? For our support, guidance, comfort, encouragement,, happiness, advance. God's promises are our rods and staffs. Were it not for such up holdings, we should soon sink in the mire. How precious are they? What promises are like unto these? How can we compute the value of that which is invaluable? Divine promises are things by themselves. Nothing could compensate for their loss. Of such value are they that only God is rich enough to bestow them. What reliance maybe placed on them? They are all "yea" and "amen" in Christ. Promises, indeed, are obtained from men, but what men fail in is fulfillment. But the word of Jehovah cannot be broken. His promises are precious, but they are not more precious than sure.