December 24, 2020
DRESSED IN GOD’S FULL
ARMOUR FOR CONTINUOS VICTORY
Ephesians 6.10-18, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 58; Romans 8:34.
Christ has given the believer triumph, the
overcoming life, dominion, strength and power. The victory is not of the past,
it is a present and daily victory. The victory that Christ gives never ends
because it is not through our own strength or through national might but “through
our Lord Jesus Christ” who is “the same yesterday, today and forever”;
that is why the victory never ends. He “always causeth us to triumph in
Christ”. Because Christ gives this victory, we are admonished to always put
on, i.e dressed in God’d full armour and labour on as we march on to success
and achievement. Amidst any problem or challenge that we may face, the victory
that Christ gives is always ever present. Whatever we might be going through
will eventually be a test turned testimony. If Jesus makes intercession for you
every day, how can you fall? It will be triumph and victory all through. It
will be a continuos and unending victory.
1. THE VIRTUE OF SUSTAINED INFLUENCE FOR
CONSTANT VICTORY
2 Peter 1:3-5; Proverbs 31:10-29; Philippians 4:8,9; 1 Timothy
4:12;
2 Timothy 2:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 1:7,8
If our influence is to be pervading at all, we
must be virtuous. Being partakers of God’s divine nature compels us to see a
sinner and preach the gospel to him. Neglect of such individual does not
reflect God-like nature in us. The same zeal, passion, friendliness and love as
Jesus who “went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil”, will move us to do something; “that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escape the corruption that is in the
world through lust.” He has called us to glory and virtue. It is
this that makes us to be influential, positively and practically in the lives
of people. The Church of God is likened to the virtuous woman whose price is
far above rubies and the question is: who can find such a dedicated, committed,
serviceable and faithful bride of Christ, the Bridegroom of the church?, the
bride in whose heart the Bridegroom can trust, who will be faithful in carrying
out the unfinished assignment He has left and make it a matter of priority?
This is the virtue Christ expects from you. If the bride expects the bridegroom
to return soon, she must be ready to do good in, and for, the kingdom. The
commitment of the bride will help her to work willingly for the Lord with heart
and mind.
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To be a good, practical, profitable and
progressive influence
on people, you must be “an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
2. THE VIGILANCE OF SINGLE-MINDED INTERCESSORS
FOR CONTINUOS VICTORY
Matthew 9:37,38; Colossians 4:2-4; Ephesians 6:18-20; Romans 10:1;
1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 16. 6-12, Acts 3.1-7
The prayer that Christians are called to pray is
not for toys or ephemeral or perishable things; it is intercession for souls to
be born again and be set free from the captivity of Satan. “Continue in
prayer, and watch in the same…” Intercession, as a means of support, should
be made for ministers, pastors and the entire leadership. Apostle Paul’s
request for prayers was for “utterance may be given unto me, that I may open
my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel”. Single-minded
intercession for is for souls of men to be convicted and converted into the
kingdom. Such prayers towards saving of souls must be passionate. While this is
being done, concerted efforts must be made to reach the people you are praying
for with the gospel, using various strategies that you have learnt. Also, we
are called to prayerfully wage war against the onslaught of the enemy who
constantly hinder the spread of the gospel with the goal of keeping our
converts in perpetual bondage “ .. Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul,
and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his
name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the
faith.. (Acts 13.7-8). The
other categories to be loosed are those who are being afflicted of Satan by
sicknesses, pain and other satanic imprisonment. Believers today like Peter
must be filled with the full armour of the Almighty such that the name of Jesus will always be exalted
through their life and ministry saying “..Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”.(Acts
3.6)
3. VICTORY THROUGH STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF
OUR DOMINION AND VERSATILITIES
James 1:22-25; Romans 2:13; Luke 6:46-49; Romans 15:19; John
9.57-62, Acts 1.8, 2 Timothy 4.2, Luke 10.17-19, Mark 16.20
The decision to reach out would be nothing
without practical actions to
execute the decision. Practical, purposeful
and positive action is required to
carry out the great commission and implement
the strategies for victorious evangelization of our communities. Until this is
done, we have not done anything. It is not enough to gather messages without
any actions of implementation. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.” We must be the doer of the word and
of the work. Being the doer of the work is compared to building a house upon a
rock. In the course of building, whatever temptation arises in form of storms,
will not collapse that house. It will stand. God is building a house that will
stand and you are a part of it. “But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a
man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the
stream did beat vehemently and immediately fell; and the ruin of that house was
great.” The Lord expects us to get something done. Efforts should be
concentrated on those that have not heard the gospel at all. “As it
is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: And they that have not
heard shall understand.” Firstly, all believers must be encouraged and
enlisted to het involved in this soul saving exercise. Secondly, we must seek
to do His will by giving our consecration to the Lord, and to His service. “And
Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God” John 9.62. Not only that, we must
all seek to have His power of Pentecost so as to be fully equipped for the work
of the kingdom Acts 1.8, Luke 24.49. :Lastly, every member of the Christian body
must be enlisted to go out and preach the Word to every sinner around them. The
Lord who had given us the assurance of His presence will back us up with signs
following, and we shall all return with victorious testimonies in Jesus name (Luke
10.17-19).
