Sabbath: Victory Over Evil Forces
Read for This Week’s Study: Eph. 1:18-22, Rom. 8:26-39, James 4:7, 1 Pet. 5:6-10,Luke 10:1-20, Acts 5:12-16.
Memory Text: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, NKJV).
Key Thought: In Christ, we have victory over all forces that would oppress us.
In some parts of the world, religion is basically a source of power that may be seen as nothing but a way to help one meet the challenges of daily living. The Christian notion of salvation from sin, for example, is foreign to many traditional religions. In these places, Christianity risks being seen mainly as a means to help solve the problems of everyday life.
Though there are, of course, many practical advantages to a Christian’s lifestyle, we must always remember that Christianity has an “otherworldly” outlook. Christianity sees another dimension of reality beyond the material world. Both realms are important, and both host forces that are at cross purposes with each other. How thankful we can be for the promises of victory for us in both realms.
Again, we stress that the overarching narrative of the great controversy between Christ and Satan needs to form the background template for our understanding of the world and our place within it as Christians. In the midst of this conflict, Christianity does not abandon its adherents to the mercy of the opposing forces. On the contrary, in Christ we have the promise of victory over those forces.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 10.
(0)
Testifying, everything I tried without Jesus were failures. ..with with Jesus my Guide I'm a victor and will always be.
Yes I agree with the Lord everything is possible. I have tried it on my own and I get no further than where I first started. Trusting in him is the best comfort.
Jesus is the only conerstone of our growth and strength.
We think Satan has powers but we have a God who has more power over the evil ones. We, as children of God, must put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand the Evil of this world, so let's stand for what we believe and don't let the satanic host get in our way. Let's keep our eyes on God's word.
The point about "otherworldly" is not clear nor is the "both realms" mentioned clear in what it is referring to. God is greatest of all in all things but this lesson was not well laid out for my understanding.
I like this thought as I am beginning to study this weeks lesson. I like that God is seen not only as a guide to help us to the promise Land: but that He shows up to help us in our daily struggles.
"Christianity sees another dimension of reality beyond the material world." This comment from todays study, actually ties the previous lesson with this weeks concepts. We are living among powers and principalities that are seeking to destroy us but more importantly, the powers and principalities of God, seek to rescue us from the conflict. When we understand this, then we understand in part, the motives in the behaviour we discern around us, and the victories we are to claim.
How good should we feel since we are associated with a winner.
I am feeling blessed every moment, especially when l think of His love, and l am secure through His word.
I was far from my GOD, now is high time I come nearer to him and get some rest, by my self all that I do is evil but through my Lord Jesus Christ I give good fruits. Lets put forth GOD in everything that we do to obtain success.
How thankful we can be for the promises of victory for us, it is indeed very good to know that we are conquerors through Jesus Christ, now we have to improve on our works to really show that we are conquerors. Lets put everything unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (all of our burdens) and then enjoy the ride to success in acquiring our goal of eternal life.
I was struck by the statement that "in some parts of the world, religion is basically a source of power."
I wonder whether that might not be true in many areas of the world in relationship to church offices or pastoral ministry. Yet that concept is turning the teachings of Christ upside-down or inside-out.
Christ said that "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." (Mark 10:42-44)
Thus a Christian elder would be the servant of the congregation. He is not to "lord it over" the congregation but to serve them in self-sacrificing love as Christ served the church and gave Himself for us.
Likewise, the pastor's position is not supposed to like that of a ruler, but that of a servant. So it seems to me that any pastors who use their position to tell members what to do, rather than teaching them to depend on Christ is abusing His position and is not a true under-shepherd of Christ.
I believe that Christ characterized Himself as a Shepherd for good reason. Good shepherds lead, they do not drive the sheep, because they understand the nature of sheep. (See Sheep 201). Translated into human terms, it means that a good shepherd or pastor leads by example - by following the Great Shepherd in His personal and public life. His congregation will know that He is filled with the Holy Spirit, and this will give him spiritual power.
Thus it seems to me that a spiritual leader or pastor who tries to enforce his own preferences through the church board and by telling members just how they should behave is not truly connected to Christ. Preaching the truths of the gospel which allows room for hearers to be convicted by the Holy Spirit. Any action will then be a response to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
It is true that Christianity is a source of power - but it is not the power to control others. Christ is the source of power to control the self that wants its own way. He supplies the power to be crucified daily and live a life of service. (See Gal. 2:20)
The story is told of a local guide telling a group of tourists in the Holy Land how shepherds from anciet times till now do not walk behind their sheep, but in front of them, leading them. The sheep follow the shepherd, just as Jesus described in the Gospels.
When the guide finished his explanation, a cynic in the group laughed as he pointed to a flock of sheep being driven by a man with a stick. "I thought you said that the shepherds here always lead the sheep," he scoffed.
"The man with the stick is not the shepherd. He's the butcher," explained the guide.
Indeed Jesus gained the victory through submission faith in GOD, so we also as Christians need to look upon Jesus and gain the power of victory. Lord's name is a strong tower that even satan can't conquer and he flees when he hears this NAME.