I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD

Text: John 16
11 April 2010

(I) THE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

1. A victory already gained

“I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

a) It is the Lord Jesus Himself who is able to overcome

b) The Lord had already gained victory over the world

2. The Lord’s victory is meant for our assurance too

a) It was not just a personal victory

b) It was meant for the Lord’s disciples

c) It is meant for us too

(II) THE ANTICIPATED VICTORY OVER THE WORLD

1. The Lord spoke of overcoming the tribulation in the world

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33

2. The kind of world that was to be overcome

a) The hatred of the world

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19

b) The persecution of the world

“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20

c) The natural responses to world

i) Anxiety ii) Worry iii) Fear

3. The Lord had gained victory over all that the world can hurl against us

(III) ABIDING IN THE LORD AND HIS WORD TO GAIN VICTORY

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.” John 16:33

1. Abiding in the Lord and His word (Cf. John 15:1-10)

a) Focus is given to the Lord and His Word

b) The word of the Lord helped His disciples overcome the world

2. The content of the word of the Lord

a) The promise of the Holy Spirit ( John 14:15-17, 25-26, 15:26, 27, 16:7-15 )

b) The promise of the Lord’s resurrection ( John 14:1-4, 19, 28, 16:16-22, 27, 28 )

(IV) AMAZING VICTORY THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH THE LORD

1. Peace gained in tribulation is victory

“That in Me you may have peace.” John 16:33 (Cf. John 14:27 )

2. Joy gained in tribulation is victory

“But be of good cheer” John 16:33 (Cf. John 15:11, 16:20-22 )