COURAGE WINS THE VICTORY

Joshua 1:1-11; 2Samuel 10:1-14; 1Cor.9:25-27;  Phil.3:7-16

Life is often described as a journey. The Christian life is also portrayed as a battle. In the battle of life, victory is assured for us through faith In Christ Jesus. However, there are certain elements of character we need if we must win victory.

Faith in God

Obedience to His commandments

Strategy

Courage

Determination

Courage is a mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger or hardship; firmness of mind in the face of danger or extreme difficulty. Many Christians in many parts of the world where there is extreme persecution have shown so much courage both in defence of their faith and of Christianity. Faith in God is very vital if we must win victory. Kings in the Bible, generals, and ordinary people through faith in God have won great victories. Obedience to God’s commandments is the next important element for the Christian in his/her daily battle. With faith in God and obedience to His commandments, we will gain access to divine strategies for victory.

God’s Victory Charge To Joshua (Joshua 1:1-11)

Joshua’s Divine assignment (Joshua 1:1-4)

Joshua’s Path To Victory (Joshua 1:5-7,9)

Joshua’s Divine Order (Joshua 1:8)

God gave Joshua a great assignment. He was to succeed Moses and bring Israel into the Promised Land. But there would be battles on the way with many fierce nations. God promised Him victory.
The seed of Joshua's Victory lies in God's command.

Joab’s Victorious War With The Ammonites (2Sam.10:1-14)

David’s Good Gesture Misinterpreted (2 Sam.10:1-2)

The king’s men Shamefully Treated (2 Sam.10:3-5)

Joab’s Charge/Strategy For Victory (2 Sam.10:7-14)

It is amazing how a lot of people misinterpreted goodwill. King David meant no harm. He was just displaying that sort of kindness that earned him the title, "the man after God's heart". A wicked person only sees wickedness and trickery in the action of other.

 

Believers Victory Through Christ (Rom.8:32-39; 1John 4:4; 5:4-5; Eph.6:10-18)

Parents Must Strive For Victory

Students Must Strive For Victory

Believers Must Strive For Victory

Satan has unleashed his forces against true Christian families. That is why everywhere you go in the western world, you see a twisted, ungodly and unbiblical definition of marriage. God has a purpose for each family (Malachi 2:15). Parents must strive for victory and stay together and bring up godly children. We must not yield to westernised forms of the family.

Teach your children Christian culture, not western or even African or any other culture.

Forgive them when they go wrong and encourage and empower them to be good and do good. Majority of criminals come from dysfunctional and non-Christian homes.

Help them build confidence in God and in themselves

The weapon of prayer must be employed to overcome any satanic influence over our family.

Students also must strive for victory. They must have a strategy for good success. All our students must develop those virtues that always lead to victory and success – clear cut goals, firm purpose and determination to pursue their studies till they receive their awards. They must also manifest faith in God and in their own ability to succeed.

For all Christians, victory is a must. Christ has already purchased victory for us. He has overcome the power of sin, Satan and death on our behalf. Does nit mean we have nothing else to do? No! (1John 4:4; Rom.6:14; 8:11; 2Tim.1:7)

We must fight Scepticism and Secularism

We must fight Materialism and Self-indulgence

We must fight Satanic deceptions and imaginations (2Cor.10:3-6)

We must also combat Self

We must resist temptations to sin or do the wrong thing.

The weapons of Christian warfare are listed in Eph.6:10-18 – (1) Truth, (2) Righteousness, (3) the Gospel of Peace, (4) The shield of Faith, (5) the Helmet of Salvation, (6) The Word of God (called the sword of the Spirit), (7) Prayer.

Baby Dedication ceremony script

1. Introducing the baby and his family.

 2. Pastor explains the significance of Baby Dedication. He leads into the importance of God’s Word being a lamp to our feet and a light to our path as we seek to raise our children in accordance to God’s will.

3. Pastor directs the parents to read the following portions of scripture as a pledge to God as they dedicate their child and themselves to Him.

Almighty God, we give our child to You for all the days of her life. (I Samuel 1:11)

We will show her  how to love God with all of her heart, soul and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

We will teach her about the Lord, both at home and as we go, in the morning and in the evening. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

We will train her up in the way of the Lord so that she will not depart as she grows older. (Proverbs 22:6)

We thank God for our child. He is a blessing from the Lord. (Psalm 127:3)

4. Pastor addresses the church and charges them with the duty of helping these families in growing their children up in Christ. Then, the pastor asks the church to stand as they read the following portions of scripture as a pledge to help nurture these little ones.

Church Reads Responsively:

We will love you as God has loved us. (1 John 4:11)

We will encourage you to love others and do good deeds in the name of Christ. (Hebrews 10:24)

We will rejoice with you in times of rejoicing. (Romans 12:15)

We will help you through difficult times and carry your burdens. (Galatians 6:1-2)

We will pray for you throughout your life. (I Thessalonians 5:17)

You are a blessing from the Lord. (Psalm 127:3)

5. Pastor closes in a prayer of dedication looking forward to the day these children receive Jesus as Lord.

Adapted from Kyle Meadors Script 2008