Sep. 17, 2023

Always Winning. (BTS 17 Sep 23)

Introduction - this brief teaching is a brief introduction to what our other two teachers will be saying on this particular Sunday.  The title and subject of this one doesn’t come from the campaign slogans of a recent populist politician.  It really comes from the Bible.  In recent weeks, we have been looking at the words of Jesus the King concerning His Kingdom.  These words seem quite different than the Christian pop gospel we hear preached from many pulpits in the Western church.  Much of that gospel is an unrealistic collection of promises requiring nothing from us, except to say some words.  My teaching today presents a fantastically real side of the kingdom message, which is even better than the pop gospel!  When we DO the works of Jesus, we find that it truly is an easy yoke, the smartest and easiest way through life, and it has an unbelievable reward all along the way.  

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. KJV

2 Corinthians 2:14 God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. TPT

I have reprinted two versions of this verse, one from the King James Version and the other from the Passion translation.  Both translations have wonderful messages.  They are based on the idea that we have chosen to live in Christ.  If we choose to obey Jesus, then we will always win in the things which are important to him!  We will be successful in our attempts to obey Him because we are carried along in His world-conquering victory.  

To triumph implies that you have been in a challenge of some kind.  God sends all of us out into the world as challengers of the decadence of the unsaved world. This basic position involves the necessity of leading. You are given the sacred opportunity to introduce people to the knowledge of God and life everlasting.  It is a guarantee that you will be in settings which are new and a bit uncomfortable to you.  You don’t have to have every imaginable situation memorized or even initiate a conversation.  Just be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you. They will bring it up! 

1 Peter 3:15. But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith TPT

Our fragrance affects the world.  People smell you!  This goes ahead of you and makes the people whom Jesus wants to reach receptive to your message.  Everyone, every member of the church, is anointed to lead in this manner.  We don’t need to be afraid of not knowing what to say.  If you don’t know something, the person you are talking to probably knows even less!  Just give a simple answer for the hope that lies within you.  God may want you only to say that and no more.  He may want others to invite your person into fellowship and baptize him.  Always have the courage to lead out spiritually by giving an answer for the hope you have.  

Most of us assume that we don’t know enough, so what do we have to share?  No matter who you are, there is always someone newer and younger than you on the faith journey into Kingdom life.  They will smell you, you will share, and you will triumph!

Conclusion - Our lives will have fewer and fewer besetting problems as time goes on.  This is because we will be involved more and more in His business, in which we will always triumph.  Will we always make a killing in the stock market or get the best deal on a car? No. Those are not the main interests of our King.  Will we succeed in the things He guides us into?  Always!