Scripture Passage –1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
o “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
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“Victorious living” = living your life in a way that pleases and honors God
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FOUR specific keys to victorious living:
I. Be On Guard (1 Cor 16:13)
II. Stand Firm in Faith (1 Cor 16:13)
III. Rely On God (1 Cor 16:13)
IV. Let Love Regulate (1 Cor 16:14)
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I. BE ON GUARD (1 Cor 16:13)
THREE ENEMIES we fight with DAILY in this life:
(1) the world (1 John 2:15-17)
(2) the flesh (Romans 7:18)
(3) the devil (Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8)
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II. STAND FIRM IN FAITH (1 Cor 16:13)
Compare 1 Cor. 16:13 with 1 Corinthians 15:58:
o “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 All that you do must be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NASB)
o “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, alwaysnexcelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)
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III. RELY ON GOD (1 Cor 16:13)
We are incapable of being victorious over the world, the flesh and the Devil in our own strength. Don’t rely on yourself!
o “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.” - 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NLT)
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IV. LET LOVE REGULATE (1 Cor 16:14)
Love is the distinguishing feature of the Christian that differentiates us from the rest of the
world:
o “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” - John 13:34-35 (NLT)
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 outlines WHAT LOVE IS:
o “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
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ASK: examine if you are truly engaging in the four key aspects to victorious living [(1) stay alert, (2) stand firm in the faith (3) rely on God (4) let love regulate]. And, if not, pray and seek to change how you live so that you CAN live victoriously and WIN!
ACTION: Actively and constantly work to live out these four key aspects in your life.
