Victory By Faith
VICTORY BY FAITH
“Faith is The Victory That Overcomes The World”
“The Captain of The Lord of Hosts”
Preached by: Carolyn Sissom
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I John 5:4: “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH.”
This week on our T.V. screens, we saw alarming things in the world. One of the most alarming is now all three presidential candidates are taking a stand against evangelicals. This has been cunningly devised by the media. It appears that we do not have a “stander” for the Kingdom of God amongst the three of them. No one is taking charge of the gas prices. It is obvious to all of us that there is plenty of blame to go around to the oil companies, congress, the executive office and OPEC. Storms, fires and earthquakes continue to shake the nations of the earth. Wars and rumors of wars continue. We seem to have lost all leadership in this nation of honorable men and women. We looked for a “stander” and saw Mike Huckabee. We looked for a “finisher” and we see Hillary Clinton. She is finishing this race against all odds.
Eph. 4:17-20: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
Eph. 5:11: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
It is time for the church to arise into our destiny and obtain the inheritance that we should be to the praise of his glory. The believer is responsible to surmount formidable obstacles, engage in protracted warfare, and over come fierce foes before we can possess our inheritance. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The Book of Joshua is the Ephesians of the Old Testament. The “heavenlies” of Eph. 1:3; 2:6; 6:12 are illustrated by the land of Canaan. This is a picture of the experience of victory and conquest belonging to those who are positionaly redeemed. Let us possess the land!
Christians were given a nation whereby we can worship God according to the dictates of our heart. We have become passive and elected passive leaders who are more interested in global fame than possessing the land given to us by the Lord. Our sins and neglect of God have resulted in this nation being given over to corrupt communication, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking with all malice. We are hearing and seeing filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, covetous and unclean persons being elected to places of government leadership. We hear these same pundits speaking on our news channels as people who have taken over the power of this nation.
“Eph. 5:6: “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of thee things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”
The Book of Joshua gives us a battle plan of entering, conquering and possessing the Promises of God.
The Lord commissioned Joshua: 1:5-9: There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you, nor forsake you. Be strong and of a good courage; for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. The book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall may your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Have not I commanded you, Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I will be held accountable by the Lord God, if I do not prepare you to “Stand in the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Joshua was prepared by the Lord to lead the people in Conquest, Possession and Inheritance. His ministry was Faith in action. In Deuteronomy came the vision for Faith. Joshua performed the venture of Faith.
He was a warrior (Psa. 144:1) 11 Tim. 4:7)
He was a Word-Bearer (Ex. 17:14)
He was a Servant. Joshua 5:14: “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand; and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? And he say, No; but as CAPTAIN OF THE HOST OF THE LORD am I now come, and Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him. What says my lord unto his servant? And the CAPTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOST said unto Joshua, Loose you shoe from off your foot; for the place whereon you are standing is holy and Joshua did so.”
He was a faithful co-worker. (Ex. 32:17)
He was a Lover of God’s House and God’s Presence. (Ex. 33:11)
He was a man of Zeal. (Num. 11:28)
He was a man of changed character. (Num. 13:15 ; Romans 12:2 “Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
He was a man who was rejected by His brethren. (Num. 14: 6-12) Compare:
(a) Paul ….14 years of obscurity… Ministry Fulfilled… Apostle
(b) Joseph – 13 years of prison…. Ministry Fulfilled… Throne
(c) Moses – 40 years of wilderness - Ministry Fulfilled...Deliverer
(d) Joshua- 40 years of wilderness…Ministry Fulfilled…Captain
(e) Jesus – 31/2 years of rejection…..Ministry Fulfilled….King
He was a leader who submitted to the laying on of hands .(Number 27:18)
He was set before the Priesthood. (Num. 27:19)
He was set before the congregation (Num. 27:19)
He received a Commission (Num. 27:19; 1 Tim. 1:18) “This charge I commit unto you, son, Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.”
He was a leader who shouldered a little responsibility at a time as it was given to him. (Num. 27:20)
He was a leader who obtained guidance through the Word. (Num. 27:21)
He was a shepherd-husbandman. (Num. 27: 15-23; 11 Tim 2:6)
He was a leader who was an example of Faith. (Num. 32:28; 1 Tim. 4:12) “Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
He was found with the elders. (Num. 32:28)
He caused others to inherit. (Josh 21)
He was able to receive encouragement from other ministry. (Deut. 3: 21-28)
He received a progressive revelation of his ministry. (Josh. 1: 1-9)
He was leader who was filled with Spirit of Wisdom .(Deut. 34:9)
Note: The above 21-points were taken from “The Making of a Leader” by Frank Damazio of Portland, Oregon.
We learn from the life of Joshua that God looks upon sin with uncompromising intolerance. The worship of God cannot co-exist with idolatry. Holiness cannot co-exist with wickedness. God is at war with sin. If the sinner does not turn from his sin, he will come into judgment. Our inheritance in Jesus Christ is obtained through the obedience of FAITH.
The book of Joshua reveals a people who enter, overcome and occupy the land of God’s Promise. This is the principle of Victory by Faith.
Our Canaan Land is the place of Rest, Bounty, and Triumph. Thus Canaan was a habitation and the promise of God, pointing to the heavenly places of the realms of the Spirit which is our heritage. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
Canaan was not attained by the Law (works), but came to Israel by the Grace of God. It was by Promise. (Heb. 4: 9-10) It was received.
Canaan was held in trust by Joshua. (Josh. 11:23) “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their division by their tribes. And the land rested from war.”
He was led by Praise, for this warrior submitted to priestly ministry.
Canaan is the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom 14:17) It was not received by the old generation because of doubt and unbelief. (Heb. 4:11) Hearts that believe, receive.
Canaan was infested by the heathen hordes, and had to be purged from these powers of darkness and idolatry (Eph. 6:12; Heb. 9:23). These high places of idolatry must be destroyed and enemy drive out. A God of Holiness and complete triumph demands that Canaan be possessed by His people. The saints will possess the Kingdom. (Daniel 7: 15-27)
Spurgeon described Canaan as “Christian perfection, the Higher Life, the Rest of Faith, the Life More Abundant, Perfect Love.”
Principle of Joshua and Ephesians:
Joshua Ephesians
Habitation – Canaan is a Heavenly Places – believers die
Land of milk and honey: and rise again to be seated in His
Redeemed by blood to be Presence.
Brought into the land.
Heritage – Promised Land Heirs By Grace – not by the
Given to Israel works of the Law.
Held in Trust by Joshua- Head Trustee is Jesus
“doubly fruitful: military campaign Believers receive the spoils of His
Was led by Joshua and governed by death, burial, resurrection, and
The priests; distributed by the ascension; the Lord allots all
King-Priest things.
Hardened Hearts Were Hearts that believe Receive
Disinherited – the old generation The older order is alienated from
Was cut off from God’s Life.
Held By The Heathen – the High Places will Be Purged –
Enemy must be destroyed Satan and his army of demons
And driven out. The Host of must be cast out of the Glorious
Of God is hindered by the Church, the Army of the Lord.
Heathen.
There are five times in Ephesians that the heavenlies are mentioned:
1: 3-4 – The Heavenlies (Canaan) are the predestined inheritance of a chosen people. To enjoy the blessing, one must be in the place of blessing (in the land).
1:18-22 – The Heavenlies (Canaan) are opened up by a Divinely ordained Leader. The Lord Jesus is the heavenly trustee of all things.
2: 5-8 – The heavenlies (Canaan) were a gift of grace to be received by faith.
3: 8-10 – The Heavenlies (Canaan) are the sphere of a striking Divine Revelation.
6:12 – The heavenlies (Canaan) are described as a scene of conflict – The giants and the walled cities.
This is not to be confused with Heaven, the realm of God, and there is no conflict there, only rest. It was possible for Israel to be ejected from Canaan, and eventually in later history they were ejected. Hebrews 3-4 clearly reveals the true nature of Canaan’s typology. It pictures the believer’s present position and possession in Jesus Christ. That Spiritual Sabbath into which we can now enter or the Third Day.
The battle confronting Israel is the same battle that confronts the Saints of God today. This is not simply a religious war; it is a theocratic war. Israel as directly ruled by God and the extermination was God’s direct command. No other nation either before or After Israel (in the natural) has been a theocracy. Thus, those commands were unique. Israel as a theocracy was an instrument of judgment in the hands of God. When the iniquity of the Canaanites were full, Divine Judgments fell.
The Principle of Inheritance:
We are to inherit the earth. (Rom 4:12; Ps. 2:8; Mt. 5:5; Rev. 5:10)
Jesus secured the Abrahamic Covenant. (Rom 15:8)
Our inheritance is all things (Eph. 1:3; 1 Cor. 3:21; 11 Pet. 1L4)
We have been made worthy and fit to inherit. (Col. 1: 9-13)
the inheritance is in Light (the Word.)
It is in the heavenlies (Spirit- Canaan)
It is to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet. 1: 3-5)
It is the divine nature available through the promises.
It is revealed through the five-fold ministry, especially the Apostle and the Prophet.
the Pentecostal Experience of the Holy Ghost Baptism is the key and the door into our possessions, for it is the earnest (pledge, foretaste, down payment, and guarantee) of our full inheritance. The earnest is of the same substance and nature as the fullness. (Rom. 8:23: Eph. 1:13-14)
Preached by: Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
www.eastgateministries.com
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Scripture quote from King James Version, Text and quotes from Principles of Present Truth