The message: « The believer is victorious » because God is with him. He has been born again through the sacrament of baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:5) and sanctified by the word of God (Jn 17:17). The Apostle John says: « But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God » Jn 1:12, children who do not sin, but overcome sin. For « Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed [i.e. His Word] abides in them [Ps 119:11]; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God » 1 Jn 3:9, for they’re endowed with the nature of God, who neither sins nor associates with sin. Therefore, through Jesus Christ who died for us we received salvation,
namely the forgiveness of our sins (Eph 1:7) and the cancellation of the condemnation due to sin (Col 2:14a). Along with this, God gives us a total victory over the devil, who tempts us to try to make us sin, as he did in Eden (Gen 3:6), and who accuses us before God (Rev 12:10). Yet it is
written: « Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies » Rom 8:33. Certainly Jesus Christ has come to bring us complete victory as it is written: « Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool » Ps 110:1. In fact, sin has been defeated, as John the Baptist
had announced: « Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world » Jn 1:29. As far as the devil is concerned, Jesus said, « Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out » Jn 12:31. And Jesus has given the believers full authority to overcome the devil, in accordance with Lk 10:19. The victory over sin and over the work of the devil occurs by means of repentance and faith; indeed, « If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness » 1 Jn 1:9. Therefore, be zealous in repentance and dare to have faith in order to be victorious! For the Lord promises us: « If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my
God; you will never go out of it » Rev.3:12a.
Monday, 27th: The bad consequences of sin and the way to overcome it.
« When the woman saw that the tree was good for food […], she took of its fruit and ate » Gen 3:6a.
Reading 1: Rom 6:15-23. Reading 2: Gen 3:1-24. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Gen 3:6,17.
Introduction: Sin is the rejection of God’s will and the will to separate from Him, in sum, it is unbelief. This causes woe, namely the judgment of God, in accordance with Jesus’ words: « But the one who does not believe will be condemned » Mar 16:16b. For the Lord said to Adam, « Cursed is the ground because of you » Gen 3:17b. Furthermore, it is written: « The sting of death is sin » 1 Cor 15:56a. The guarantee for the believers: « Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners » 1 Tim 1:15, as « [He] was handed over
to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification » Rom 4:25.
Tuesday, 28th: Jesus Christ makes those who believe in Him triumph.
« We are more than conquerors through him who loved us » Rom 8:37.
Reading 1: Ps 51:1-11. Reading 2: Rom 8:31-37. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 8:37.
Introduction: Jesus gave believers the victory over the devil and over temptation in order to enable them to stand blameless before the Father’s throne in heaven. He rejoices over the believers who obey Him, of whom He can say, « Here am I and the children whom God has given me » Heb 2:13b, namely children who will be true to Him and not betray Him (Ps 15:14).
Wednesday, 01st: The victorious believer is the one who lives for God.
« Living is Christ » Phil 1:21a.
Reading 1: Mt 16:24-33. Reading 2: Phil 1:18-26. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Phil 1:21.
Introduction: Jesus gives a complete guarantee to His disciples, as He said to them, « Because I live, you also will live » Jn 14:19. God is, indeed, with those who are with Him (2 Chr 15:2) and He stands for those who serve Him (Jn 14:12). Here is the guarantee He gave to Joshua who succeeded Moses: « No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you » Jos 1:5.
Thursday, 02nd: The believer is victorious over the world.
« You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do » 1 Pet 4:3a.
Reading 1: Ezek 36:24-33. Reading 2: 1 Pet 4:1-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Pet 4:1-6.
Introduction: Victory over the world and over the darkness under whose control it rests (1 Jn 5:19) is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ the Savior and through doing God’s will (1 Jn 3:24), « For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith » 1 Jn 5:4. Get rid of evil and renew your commitment to the Lord (2 Kings 7:14)! Such are the signs of the victory over the world.
Friday, 03rd: The believer is victorious over the demons.
« Get behind me, Satan » Mt 16:23a.
Reading 1: Isa 14:9-15. Reading 2: Mt 16:21-23. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 16:21-23.
Introduction: The believer is victorious over the demons by opposing them. In this respect, the Apostle James said, « Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you » Jas 4:7. This is achieved because Jesus gave full authority to His disciples when He said to them: « Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven » Mt 18:18a, « And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons » Mar 16:17a. And He still sends those who believe in Him, saying to them, « Cast out demons » Mt 10:8d.
Saturday, 04th: It is an eternal victory that God gives to the believers.
« Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life » Rev 2:10b.
Reading 1: 2 Tim 4:1-8. Reading 2: Rev 2:8-11. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rev 2:10b.
Introduction: Since it is with « eternal love » that God loves His people (Jer 31:3), it is also an eternal victory that He gives them through Jesus. As He is « the beginning and the end » Rev 22:13, so He « is the same yesterday and today and forever » Heb 13:8. His power and the victory He gives to His disciples are not limited by time. Thus, He says to them: « And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age » Mt 28:20b.
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