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Victory

Victory. True and False. Introduction. Pyrrhus (319-272 B.C.), king of Epirus in northwestern Greece (306-272 B.C.). A daring general, he was invited by the Greek cities of southern Italy to help them against the growing might of Rome. Struggle with Rome.

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Victory

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  1. Victory True and False

  2. Introduction • Pyrrhus (319-272 B.C.), king of Epirus in northwestern Greece (306-272 B.C.). • A daring general, he was invited by the Greek cities of southern Italy to help them against the growing might of Rome.

  3. Struggle with Rome • Pyrrhus defeated the Romans at Heraclea and Asculum. • Some of his battles, though successful, cost him heavy losses, from which the term “Pyrrhic victory” was coined. • “One more such victory and Pyrrhus is undone. Another such victory and we are ruined.”

  4. Satan has won many a Pyrrhic victory • Satan has the most followers, controls the most land, and has won the most battles. He is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:3-4), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:1-2). Indeed, the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19). • Yet, despite his apparent success, Satan’s doom is certain. Following his first triumph, his downfall was foreshadowed (Gen. 3:15).

  5. Satan has won many a Pyrrhic victory • Satan’s powerlessness was repeatedly demonstrated during the Lord’s earthly ministry (Matt. 8:28-29; 12:22-29). • Following Satan’s greatest victory, his defeat was sealed (Phil. 2:8-11). • In dying on the cross, and then being resurrected from the grave, Jesus won the victory, not only for Himself, but for all those who trust in Him (Heb. 2:14-15; 10:11-14).

  6. Satan has won many a Pyrrhic victory • Christ must reign until the last enemy, death, shall be subdued (1 Cor. 15:25-28), and then shall come about the victory (1 Cor. 15:51-58). • Christianity will ultimately triumph. Victory will soon be realized (Rom. 16:20; 1 John 5:4). • Accordingly, we must overcome (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

  7. We, too, may achieve false triumphs. • Man may temporarily achieve his various desires, but all such triumphs are fleeting: “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). • Lust of the Flesh (2 Sam. 11:1-5; 12:7-12) • Lust of the Eyes (Luke 12:15-21; Ps. 39:4-6 ) • Pride of Life (Eccl. 1:11; 2:16; 8:10; 9:5) • Let us, therefore, realize the madness of spending our energies in the pursuit of such pyrrhic victories (Eccl. 2:1-11; Matt. 16:24-27).

  8. Conclusion • According to all external measures, Christians appear to be on the losing side. The cause of truth is never popular. The faithful are always few. The righteous ever remain a remnant. Yet, this is an unchanging reality (Matt. 7:13-14; Luke 12:32). • In the days of Gideon, God delivered His people from Midianite oppression, not by 30,000 but by 300, lest Israel become boastful and say, “My own power has delivered me” (Judg. 7:2). Salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps. 3:8; 33:13-22; Prov. 21:31).

  9. Courage • Our hope of deliverance lies, not in horses and chariots, but in the Lord God (Ps. 33:13-22; Prov. 21:31). • Like Moses, let us stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (Exod. 14:10-31). • Like Elisha, let us take comfort in the fact that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:8-23).

  10. Challenge • Safety lies with God (John 10:28-29). He possesses superior power (1 John 4:4). Victory belongs to those who trust in God (2 Cor. 4:8-18). • Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33). Through obedient faith, we can also overcome (1 John 5:4-5).

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