For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has

overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who

believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has

overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who

believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

2. The "world" to which John refers are those things in the world that would separate us from God - cf. 1Joh n 2:15-17 a. The lust of the flesh (immorality, inordinate emotions) b. The lust of the eyes (materialism, greed, covetousness) c. The pride of life (vainglory, boasting, arrogance)

-- These things can be summarized in one word: SIN 3. There are other things in the world which can hinder our

relationship with God, such as... a. Anxiety e. Discontentment b. Boredom f. Fear c. Depression g. Grief d. Despair h. Loneliness

-- These emotional states of mind, when not caused by some organic condition, are often the results of SIN as well (perhaps not sinful action, per se, but sinful thinking) 

4. For whatever is in the world that might hinder our relationship with God... a. There can be victory in overcoming the world! b. Such victory comes to those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God -- Yes, "Faith Is The Victory!"

I. Faith in Jesus DefinedA. FAITH IN GENERAL... 1. As defined by Easton's Bible Dictionary:

a. Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true b. Its primary idea is trust trust

2. It is a strong conviction or trust in something; as Heb 11:1

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for...""Now faith is being sure of what we hope for..." "...and certain of what we do not see.""...and certain of what we do not see."

3. E.g., you have faith that your parents are indeed your parents a. Based upon your trust or conviction in the reliability of their word b. Such trust prompts you to respond accordingly 

I. Faith in Jesus DefinedB. FAITH IN JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD... 1. It is a strong conviction or trust in Jesus:

a. Who Jesus is: 1) That He is what He claimed, 2) That He is truly the Son of the living God

b. What Jesus did and is doing : 1) That He died on the cross for our sins 2) That His death is truly a sufficient propitiation or sacrifice for our sins 3) That He interceeds for us in heaven c. What Jesus said 1) That He alone provides the way to eternal life 2) That He alone is the way to God, the Father - John 14:6-7

2. Peter professed this faith in Jesus - John 6:68-69 a. That Jesus has the words of eternal life b. That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God - cf. Matthew 16:15-16

3. When a person has such faith in Jesus... a. They look to Jesus for the solution to any problem they face b. They have trust and conviction that what He says is the right answer or solution c. They are willing to act with trust and conviction on His word - cf. Lk 6:46

4. For those with an active faith in Jesus, their lives are built on a solid foundation... a. Like a wise man who builds his house on a rock - Lk 6:47-49 b. They are able to weather the storms of life, because their faith in Jesus has prompted them to prepare for whatever comes their way!

II. Faith in Jesus DevelopedA. FAITH COMES FROM EVIDENCE... 1. Many people believe that faith is something blind, that you "just gotta believe"

a. It is true that faith is often a strong conviction in "things unseen" - cf. He 11:1 b. But there are solid reasons for believing in what you cannot see

1) Just as you believe in George Washington, though you have never seen him

2) Just as you believe in who your parents are, though you can't remember who was there at your birth

2. Other people believe that faith is some gift from God for a select few a. It is true that in one sense faith is a "gift" from God - cf. Ep 2:8; Ro 12:3 b. But while faith owes its ultimate source to God, it is available to all

1) For God desires all men to be saved - 1Ti 2:3-6 2) And He desires that which produces saving faith to be

proclaimed to all the nations - Ro 1:16; 16:25-26

3. Faith comes from evidence provided by God Himself! a. God provided signs and wonders so that people might believe in His Son - Jn 5:36; 10:37-38; 14:10-11 b. And so the apostles recorded these signs that we might believe - Jn 20:30-31

1) Believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God 2) Through such faith to have "life" (i.e., victory over the world!) in

His name -- This leads us to the primary source of faith..

II. Faith in Jesus DevelopedB. FAITH COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD... 1. Even as Paul declared: "So then faith comes by "So then faith comes by

hearing, and hearing by the word of God"hearing, and hearing by the word of God" - Ro 10:17 a. Faith (trust and conviction) is founded upon what the Word of God reveals b. This is especially true regarding faith in Jesus! - again cf. Jn 20:30- 31

2. The Word of God produces faith in Jesus by the evidence it provides; for example... a. The Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament b. His signs and wonders recorded in the Gospels c. The testimony of eyewitnesses in the Acts and epistles -- As one meditates upon the Word of God regarding Jesus, faith is developed!

II. Faith in Jesus DevelopedB. FAITH COMES FROM THE WORD OF

GOD... 3. Faith in Jesus that leads to victory must

come from the Word of God! a. The reason many people do not live victorious lives is a lack of faith b. They have a weak faith because they do not read and study the Word of God! c. Not only is their faith weak, but they often don't even know the teachings of Jesus that can help them to overcome the world!

III. OVERCOMING ANXIETYANXIETY THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS 

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO OVERCOME ANXIETY...

1. Certainly because of how it affects our lives and our service

2. It is also a reflection of "little faith" on our part a. E.g., worrying about things like food and clothing - cf. Mt 6:30 b. E.g., worrying about preserving one's life - cf. Mt 8:25-26

3. "The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." (George Muller)

IV. OVERCOMING SINSIN THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS A. BY PROVIDING THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN... 1. Remission of sins is promised to those who believe in

Jesus - Ac 10:43 a. Made possible by the shedding of His blood - Ep 1:7 b. Jesus became our "propitiation" (a sacrifice designed to appease) - 1Jn 2:2; 4:9-10 c. Through His blood we are "justified" (i.e., declared "not guilty"), and therefore spared from the wrath of God to come - Ro 5:9

2. Such forgiveness is promised to those whose faith in Jesus moves them to repent and be baptized - Ac 2:38; 3:19 a. Repentance - that "change of mind" in which we turn from sin to serve God b. Baptism - that "burial" in which we are united with Christ into His death, that we might be crucified with Him and then rise to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-7

3. Forgiveness continues as we repent and confess our sins in prayer - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:9

-- -- In this way Jesus deals with the "guilt" of sin (legal In this way Jesus deals with the "guilt" of sin (legal and emotional - cf. and emotional - cf. He 9:14))

IV. OVERCOMING SIN THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS B. BY PROVIDING THE POWER OVER SIN... 1. In Ro 6:6-7, Paul speaks of freedom from sin...

a. "we should no longer be slaves of sin" b. "...has been freed from sin"

2. Later, in Ro 8:1-2,12-13 he describes where this "power" comes from... a. It is "the law (principle) of the Spirit of life in Christ“ which frees one from "the law of sin and death" b. In particular, how the Spirit enables us to "put to death the deeds of the body" c. With the aid of the Spirit, we now have the help of God to overcome sin! - cf. Ep 3:16,20-21; Php 4:13

3. The promise of the Spirit was given by both Jesus and His apostles a. To those who believe in Him - Jn 7:37-39 b. To those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39 c. I.e., to those who obey Him and become "children of God" - cf. Ac 5:32; Ga 3:26-27; 4:6; 5:16

-- In this way Jesus deals with the "power" of sin

V. OVERCOMING BOREDOMBOREDOM THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS CHANGES OUR FOCUS IN LIFE... 1. Boredom is the result of an obsession with self and material

possessions

2. Yet Jesus teaches us to: a. Deny self - Lk 9:23-24

1) People who are obsessed with self are never happy 2) People who lose themselves in service to God are never bored!

b. Change the object of your affections - Mt 6:19-21 1) The pleasure of earthly things is fleeting at best, followed by the inevitable letdowns - cf. "the passing pleasures of sin" - He 11:25 2) The only permanent possession we have is in heaven, and our affections should be placed on it

3. His teachings are designed to give us great joy - Jn 15:11; e.g., Ac 20:35

-- If we have enough faith in Jesus to follow His teachings, we will be attacking one of the root causes of boredom (a pre-occupation with self) 

B. JESUS ENLISTS US IN SERVICE DESIGNED TO TRULY

SATISFY...

VI. OVERCOMING DEPRESSIONSDEPRESSIONS THRU FAITH IN JESUS A. JESUS ADDRESSES MANY ISSUES THAT

CAN DEPRESS PEOPLE... 1. Among many things that can make people depressed, there are such things as:

a. Guilt for sins committed in the past a. Guilt for sins committed in the past b. Concern regarding one's relationship with God in b. Concern regarding one's relationship with God in the the present present c. Fear for what might happen in the future c. Fear for what might happen in the future

2. As we have stressed before, what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do, addresses such problems

a. He addresses the problem of sin, through a. He addresses the problem of sin, through His death His death on the cross! on the cross!

b. He teaches us how to pray, and maintain b. He teaches us how to pray, and maintain a healthy a healthy relationship with God! relationship with God!

c. He gives us hope and promise c. He gives us hope and promise concerning the concerning the future, through His future, through His resurrection and ultimate resurrection and ultimate

return!return!

VI. OVERCOMING DEPRESSIONSDEPRESSIONS THRU FAITH IN JESUS B. JESUS PROVIDES POSITIVE COGNITIVE THERAPY...

1. Cognitive therapy seeks to help one recognize and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression; sample suggestions include:

a. Don't set for yourself difficult goals or take on a great deal of responsibility

b. Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, do what you can as you can

c. Don't expect too much from yourself too soon as this will only increase feelings of failure

d. Participate in activities that may make you feel better e. Try to be with other people; it is usually better than

being alone

2. In His teachings, Jesus stressed similar principles! a. Reminding us of God's providential love and care – Mt

6:25-32 b. Teaching us where to place our priorities in life - Mt 6:33

c. Revealing our own limitations - Mt 6:34 d. Pointing out the kind of selfless service can provide true

joy - cf. Jn 13:12-17; Ac 20:35 e. That God is longsuffering, willing to forgive and comfort

the downhearted - cf. Mt 5:3-6; the parable of the Prodigal Son,

Luke 15:11-32

VII. OVERCOMING DESPAIRDESPAIR THRU FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS PROVIDES HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS...

1. Through His teachings...

a. Telling us of God's providential care - Mt 6:30; 7:11; 10:29-31

b. Telling us of God's love for the lost - Lk 15:7; Jn 3:16-17

2. Through His promises... a. Telling us of the abundant life He offers

- Jn 4:13-14; 6:35; 10:10 b. His promise of the resurrection He offers -

Jn 11:23-27 c. His promise of His return and the place He is preparing - Jn 14:1-3 3. Through His actions...

a. His death on the cross provides the hope of our forgiveness!

b. His resurrection provides the hope for our own resurrection! -- Jesus is truly "our hope"!

- cf. 1Ti 1:1 

VIII. OVERCOMING DISCONTENTDISCONTENT THRU FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS PROVIDES CONTENTMENT...

1. Through His teachings... a. By telling us what is truly important in life

1) Not material abundance - 1) Not material abundance - Lk 12:13-15 2) But being rich toward God! - 2) But being rich toward God! - Lk 12:16-21 b. By telling us to lay up our treasure in heaven

1) For earthly treasures will decay or be stolen 1) For earthly treasures will decay or be stolen - - Mt 6:19 2) Whereas treasures in heaven are safely 2) Whereas treasures in heaven are safely guarded - guarded - Mt 6: 20;Mt 6: 20; cf. cf. 1Pe 1:4 -- Thus ensuring that our hearts are set upon -- Thus ensuring that our hearts are set upon that which cannot be destroyed - that which cannot be destroyed - Mt 6:21

2. Through His promises... a. Promising to always be with us a. Promising to always be with us - - Mt 28:20; ; cf. cf. He 13:5-6 b. Promising God's providential care b. Promising God's providential care - - Mt 6:30-33; ; 7:7-11; ; 10:29-31

IX. OVERCOMING FEARFEAR THRU FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS TAUGHT THAT FEAR IS

INDICATIVE OF LITTLE FAITH...

1. When His disciples were fearful of the 1. When His disciples were fearful of the storm at sea - storm at sea - Mt 8:23-27Mt 8:23-27

2. When Peter faltered as he went to Jesus 2. When Peter faltered as he went to Jesus walking on walking on the water - the water - Mt 14:25-33

3. As Jesus taught them not to have fearful 3. As Jesus taught them not to have fearful anxiety anxiety concerning the necessities of life concerning the necessities of life - - Lk 12:27-32

-- As someone put it:

"Fear is simply unbelief parading in "Fear is simply unbelief parading in disguise."disguise."

IX. OVERCOMING FEAR FEAR THRU FAITH IN JESUS B. JESUS ADDRESSED OUR WORST FEARS...

1. The fear of what we might face in this life a. Jesus promised, "I am with you always, even to the

end of the age." - Mt 28:20 b. With such a promise, we can take courage, as Joshua

was encouraged to do - cf. Josh 1:9

c. With the Lord at our side, what can man do? - cf. He 13:5-6

d. The worst that can happen is death, and Jesus addressed that... 2. The fear of death

a. His own victory over death frees us from the fear of death - cf. He 2:14-15

b. Thus Paul could face death with great confidence, even anticipation - Php 1:21-23 3. The fear of what comes after death

a. Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise that lies ahead - cf. Jn 14:1-3

b. Thus Paul could look forward to what he would receive - 2Ti 4:6-8 (note that it was because he had "kept the faith"!)

-- When we've overcome these fears through faith in Jesus, -- When we've overcome these fears through faith in Jesus, other fears will seem petty!other fears will seem petty!

X. OVERCOMING GRIEFGRIEF THRU FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS PROVIDES COMFORT TO THE

GRIEVING SOUL... 1. As previously noted, Jesus certainly understands our grief

a. While in the flesh, He experienced grief - Jn 11:35

b. Indeed, He became flesh to be better suited to come to our aid - He 2:17-18 2. He therefore taught His disciples how to find comfort when troubled

a. To believe in Him - Jn 14:1-3 b. To keep His commandments, that we

might abide in His love - Jn 15:10-11 c. To pray, that we may have joy and peace

- Jn 16:24,33; cf. Php 4:6-7 3. He also provides comfort with the promise of our resurrection - cf. 1Th 4:13-17 

XI. OVERCOMING LONELINESSLONELINESS THRU FAITH IN JESUS  A. JESUS RECONCILES US BACK TO

GOD... 1. Paul explained that Jesus' ministry was one of reconciliation - 2Co 5:18-20 2. Jesus offered Himself as the only way to God - Jn 14:6 3. When we keep Jesus' commandments, we are assured of the abiding presence of both the Father and the Son - Jn 14:21,23

-- Through faith in Jesus, we can be reconciled to God and thereby never truly be alone!

XI. OVERCOMING LONELINESSLONELINESS THRU FAITH IN JESUS A. JESUS RECONCILES US BACK TO GOD...

B. JESUS ADDS US TO HIS FAMILY...

1. We read where Jesus added people to the church - Ac 2:472. This "church" is also described as God's house, or family - 1Ti 3:15; cf. 5:1-2 3. Indeed, Jesus told Peter what His disciples would enjoy in this lifetime, which I understand to be a reference to His church - cf. Mk 10:28-30

-- Through faith in Jesus, we are born into a spiritual family where we should never be alone

XI. OVERCOMING LONELINESSLONELINESS THRU FAITH IN JESUS A. JESUS RECONCILES US BACK TO GOD... B. JESUS ADDS US TO HIS FAMILY... C. JESUS' WOULD HAVE US RESPOND POSITIVELY TO

LONELINESS... 1. He teaches us to pray, which builds companionship with God

a. To pray always, and never lose heart - Lk 18:1

b. To pray to our Father in secret, where you are one on one with Him - Mt 6:5-6 2. He teaches us to serve, which builds companionship with others - Mt 20:25-28

a. One cannot be alone when they are busy serving others!

b. Remember, "Many Christians suffer from "Many Christians suffer from loneliness loneliness because they are sitting instead of because they are sitting instead of serving." serving."

-- Through faithful obedience to Jesus, we will establish and nourish relationships whereby we will never be alone!

CONCLUSIONBelieve in CHRIST

And let us ALL have faith in HIMAnd let us ALL have faith in HIM

Victorious faith in Jesus comes from the Word of God...

a. Which is why I cannot overemphasize the importance of feeding upon it daily

1) A lack of knowledge concerning God's word was 1) A lack of knowledge concerning God's word was Israel's downfall - Israel's downfall - Hos 4:6Hos 4:6

2) When people do not have access to His word, 2) When people do not have access to His word,

they are very weak - they are very weak - Am 8:11-14Am 8:11-14

3) Even Jesus resorted to the Word of God to 3) Even Jesus resorted to the Word of God to overcome temptation - overcome temptation - Mt 4:4Mt 4:4,,77,,1111

b. Why deprive yourself of the means that God has given to produce saving faith? - Jm 1:21