Central thought: victory is the pre-determined lot of the believer in every challenge in life.
Hymn: Stand up! Stand up for Jesus!
Text: Romans 8:31-39, Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 10:2-6
The Christian life is full of challenges and conflicts coming in various ways, sources and degrees. The objective of every challenge is to cause a breach between God and His children. At conversion, a believer breaks ranks with satan, and pledges full allegiance to Jesus Christ. The devil is always offended by this, and he does all within his power to bring about a break in the fellowship with God.
It is a thing of joy to note that victory has been obtained and made certain at the Cross. Jesus had to experience all the perils of human existence and came out without sin. He proceeded to the cross where He died to redeem mankind from the captivating chain of sin and satan. Man obtained reconciliation and acceptance in the presence of God, and he was restored to the original dominion.
In this new state, man is not just to conquer, subdue and control, but has been admitted into a concluded victory. He is to rule by virtue of faith and obedience to the word of God. In this state the believer is higher than a conqueror. There may be challenges around but they become meat and stepping stones to higher glory.
This study is therefore intended to inform the believer in Christ that he has been declared victorious before the battle.
Lesson Objectives:
The objectives of this study are as follows:
- To explain what it means to be “more than conquerors”.
- To identify the forces we are contending against.
- To identify the weapons at the disposal of the believer.
- To state the role of Christ in our victory.
- To discuss why believers may sometimes experience defeat.
- To identify the benefits in being more than a conqueror.
Question 1.) Explain the phrase “More than Conquerors”.
To conquer means to subjugate or acquire by force or strategy. It is to overcome obstacles or to bring down and destroy an existing power. A conqueror is someone who has conquered.
In the literal sense, to be more than conquerors implies a situation where victory is always 100% guaranteed. There is no room for failure because of the superiority of force and strategy provided by Jesus Christ. Victory is a concluded matter for the believer.
In the figurative sense, to be more than a conqueror means to live in obedience and total submission to God in the light of the truth of Christ’s death and resurrection. By His death He conquered death, and by resurrection He became more than all the conquerors of this world that have been bonded mankind since creation. He obtained a new name and a new status by His resurrection, and He co-opted us into that same privilege.
To be more than conquerors, therefore is to submit to the virtues of faith and patience in the battles of life. We are more than conquerors because the benefits of our victory in Christ far exceed the rewards available to literal conquerors of the world. Glory, honor, peace, crown of righteousness and does not fade away and eternal life are some of the rewards we obtain through the victory of Jesus Christ.
Question 2.) Identify the challenges and adversaries the Christian must contend with.
John 15:20, Romans 7:23, 8:35, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:12
Adversaries are opponents strategically put in place to hinder progress. We cannot exhaust the list of such adversaries that are contending against the believer.
The “Self” in the believer, which is his “flesh and blood” nature, is the first adversary that must be brought under control. It is ever asking for opportunity to make a short trip at the pleasures of sin. It has insatiable appetite for carnal satisfaction, material possession and control of power. It is in direct opposition to spiritual development. It is earthly centered.
Another adversary is persecution, tribulations and trials of life. These are pains orchestrated by the kingdom of darkness on our comfort to subdue our faith. We also have to contend with principalities (territorial authorities), powers and rules of the darkness of this world, who want to take the place of God in our lives, and are the authors of subtle and potent devices that promote evil and iniquity.
We are also contending with deceivers and pretenders in the fold, who verbally declare their faith in Christ, but are antichrist in reality. These classes of adversaries try to infiltrate the church with signs and wonders, permissive messages, greed and compromised morality. Natural perils of life in the form of insecurity, economic turbulence, marital challenges and others that threaten the existence of the believer are also challenges to our faith.
All these and many more, were the conquerors of yesterday, over which Christ was victorious, and over which we have been made more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.
Question 3.) List the effective weapons for the Christian race.
Ephesians 6:12-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
No matter how fierce it may appear physically, the battles of the Christian are spiritual in origin, and require primarily weapons of spiritual potency. These weapons are found in the nature and virtues we inherit from God. They include:
- Which is to serve as our girdle, and of course Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).
- The righteousness of Christ, implanted in us to serve as a shield against injury to our vital organs.
- Readiness to preach the gospel of peace to serve as the shoe (covering for our feet) to counter anything that obstructs our onward advance.
- Personal salvation, which is our helmet and insurance against a fatal fall from grace.
- Faith, which is the mobile shield for defense against darts from all directions.
- The word of God (sword of the Spirit), preserved in the heart, which is the weapon to launch offensive against the kingdom of darkness.
- Prayer, which serves as buckle to keep every other piece of armor in place, at all times.
- Watch fullness, to be dutiful and alert in the Spirit,
- Perseverance, an attitude of patience, persistence and determination in the face of obstacles.
- Intercessory prayers for our ministers, the captains and generals in the army of Christ, whose fall or injury could be catastrophic to the whole army.
- Our complete obedience and submission to the will of God.
Question 4.) What is the role of Jesus Christ in our victory?
2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 5:12, Philippians 4:13
Jesus Christ cannot be ignored in this battle because He has the primary role to play. He is the captain of our salvation, the commander from whom we must take instruction. His name is our battle cry. He has won the victory for us already, ours is to stand on His authority. He is presently at the right hand of God, advocating for us and sending us help regularly. He is the final judge of all things, and He is our rewarder. His blood, His death and His resurrection are evidences of an accomplished victory.
Question 5.) Why do believers sometimes suffer defeat?
Psalm 119:105
So many factors contribute to the occasional defeat of believers. Total ignorance or poor knowledge of the provisions of God has in place may lead to setbacks for a Christian. One cannot operate effectively in a terrain he/she is not acquainted with. Complacency and spiritual laziness manifesting in care-free attitude and prayerlessness is another factor. Weakness in spiritual matters and poor participation in prayers, fasting, fellowship, and study of the word will make one prone to defeat. Over-socializing the faith to a level of games, entertainment and fanfare without serious appeal to the soul leaves a hollow bunch of Christians who cannot stand the least pressure from satan.
Carnality and material pursuit will always lead to deep wounds to the faith of believers. Impatience and ignorance of God’s timing can lead to defeat of a believer.
Question 6.) What are the benefits in being more than conquerors?
The benefits of being more than conquerors include empowerment to do the work of God without hindrance. They reign with Christ here on earth and are to reign with Him forever in the kingdom of God. Eternal life is the greatest reward of those who are more than conquerors, and who will do exploits for God. To such ones a crown of righteousness shall be presented. To such ones also belong joy and peace unspeakable in this life and hereafter. On earth they will enjoy the blessings and favor of God, their ministry will experience fruitfulness and fulfillment.
Daily Living Application:
The believer in Christ is engaged in serious spiritual warfare against the force of darkness, which are enemies of God and enemies of Christ. They are out to hinder and obstruct our cordial relationship with God.
But God in His infinite wisdom and mercy has conquered for us and given us direct access to participate in His victory. We are ordained as victors, sitted above the conquerors of this world, and are destined to show forth the glory, might and grace of God. The word of God has spelled out those virtues which constitute the formidable weapons of our faith. It is our assigned duty to imbibe these virtues and above all to exercise them to the glory of God.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”