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Chapter Three
When Jesus died at the cross, He won an overwhelming victory over all that held sway over man — sin, death, the world, and the power behind them, Satan. That victory is given to those who believe and follow Jesus. While we have this victory, we also live in a fallen world. Sin and Satan are active in our flesh. In this chapter we will learn the extent of Jesus’ victory and how to live the victorious Christian life.
Jesus’ Victory over Sin and Death
What is Jesus’ death described as? (1 John 2:2)
In 1 John 2:1, because of what He did at the cross, what does He now do on our behalf whenever we sin?
In Revelation 1:18, what did Jesus claim and accomplish, which gives us great hope?
According to the Apostle Paul, what truths about Jesus’ work are most important in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
Because of Jesus’ victory, what promise does God give to those who are in Christ? (Romans 8:1)
While death has lost its victory and sting over us, Christians still experience death (without its sting). When will death be destroyed? (1 Corinthians 15:25-26)
What will eventually happen to death? (Revelation 20:14)
Jesus’ Victory over Satan
Satan sought to defeat Jesus in various ways. He used personal temptation but failed. He also used discouragement and wrongful suggestions from those close to Jesus to derail Him. Jesus saw through these attacks.
Jesus and His brothers:
In John 7:3-5, what did Jesus’ brothers taunt Him to do?
In John 7:6-9, what was wrong about their taunt that Jesus saw through?
Jesus and His Disciples (Matthew 16:21-23):
What ungodly thinking did Peter advocate to hinder Jesus from fulfilling God’s will? (Matthew 16:21-22)
Jesus saw through the viewpoint and identified the source. Who was speaking through Peter? (Matthew 16:23)
What did Jesus say about Satan’s status in John 16:11?
Ephesians 6:10-18 is a great passage on the protection God has given to Christians in the ongoing war against Satan.
Who are we fighting against? (Ephesians 6:12)
What defensive armour does God give us to enable us to defend ourselves and win in the war with Satan? (Ephesians 6:13-17a)
What attacking weapon do we have? (Ephesians 6:17b-18)
What is the ‘secret’ of victory over Satan? (1 John 4:4)
In Colossians 2:15, what did Jesus do to the principalities and powers (which includes Satan) by His victory at the cross?
What is Satan’s eventual destiny? (Revelation 20:10)
Jesus’ Victory over Sin and Temptation
Jesus faced temptation while in the flesh. His victory helps us to face our own temptations.
From Matthew 4:1-9, what areas of temptation did Jesus face?
Matthew 4:2-3
Matthew 4:5-6
Matthew 4:8-9
What similar areas of temptation which affect us are mentioned in 1 John 2:15-16?
How did Jesus respond to Satan? (Matthew 4:4,7,10)
How can Jesus help us in our own temptations?
Hebrews 2:18
Hebrews 4:14-15
1 John 2:1
Hebrews 7:24-25
What else helps us in our temptation?
Mark the statements that are true with reference to 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.
Victory over the Flesh
Jesus had already secured our salvation through the cross. We have the new nature from God given to us. However, we still live in a body of flesh which will eventually be totally renewed at the resurrection. Until then, the devil seeks to animate the flesh to defeat God’s work in us. By the ‘flesh’ we mean more than flesh and bones — it includes our physical body and the mind and the entirety of human nature. Inherited from Adam, it is at war with the Spirit who lives in us.
In Romans 6:11-12, identify the two-pronged strategy to overcome the flesh:
What are we to die to and what must we not let sin do?
Who must we actively respond to?
According to Colossians 3:5, what are we to do with the deeds of our earthly nature?
In Galatians 5:24, the focus is not just on our misdeeds. What is this important command here?
What is another important command to enable victory over the flesh? (Galatians 5:16)
Victory over the World
The Bible identifies another area of conflict. The world is not the physical earth but the world system which is ‘under the control of the evil one’ (1 John 5:19).
What should be our response to what the world offers? (1 John 2:15-16)
On what basis is the Christian confident of victory over the world? (John 16:33)
What two truths assure us of victory over the world? (1 John 5:4-5)
Overwhelming Victory
The Christian life is one of victory. Sometimes we may experience defeat which is often due to our neglect of the truths God’s Word has given to us, some of which are mentioned in this chapter. We must remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit lives in us. We also have the life of Jesus given to us when we were born again into God’s kingdom. We have God’s nature and His weapons. Jesus’ victory at the cross is an overwhelming victory which we claim for ourselves. These are not idle statements. Let us round up our study with the following verses.
In 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, name the two greatest enemies of man.
What is the great promise regarding these enemies which we can claim from 1 Corinthians 15:57?
From Romans 8:38, can anything (even death) separate us from God’s love?
What can God’s unshakeable love make us into? (Romans 8:37)
Application
Review this chapter. Is there any area(s) of life that you have yet to experience overwhelming victory? Name the areas. Are there any promises, commands or truths from this chapter which you can apply to that area? Write these down and pray over them daily for a season and see God deliver you to experience Jesus’ overwhelming victory.
Area(s) of life
Promises / Truths / Commands