Sermon Title: Don’t let a lion be king of your jungle!
Text: 1 John 2:12-14

I am writing to you, little children (teknion), because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers (pater)because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men (neaniskos) because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children (paidion) because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers (pater) because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men (neaniskos) because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14

Point 1: While it’s good to be strong physical, emotionally, and mentally, it’s of utmost importance that we are strong in our faith.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Eph. 6:10

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim. 1:7

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Cor, 16:13

Seven practical ways to be strong in your faith:

1. Quiet time in the Word.
2. Spend time in prayer.
3. Ask God to increase your faith.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6

4. Read about those who have done great things for God.
5. Talk to and hang out with the giants of the faith that you know.
6. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Zech. 4:6

7. Put your faith into action and see what God will do!
Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. – William Carey.

Point 2: Unless the word the word (logos) of God abides (meno) in you, you’ll never be strong in your faith.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Abide in me, and I in you. John 15:4a

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Point 3: If you’re not strong in faith and not abiding in his Word, you will have an unusually hard time overcoming the wiles of the evil one.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.“ John 16:33

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Pet. 2:19

Point 4: Satan, our adversary is strong, knows the word of God, and delights in overcoming us.

A. He us the father of lies. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the fatherof lies. John 8:44

B. He prowls like a roaring lion. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Pet. 5:8

C. He and his minions can be deceptive angels of light. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

D. He power over the world. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Tim. 2:25-26

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Rom. 6:17-18

Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Eph. 2:3

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:4

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. Col.1:13

Point 5: Without Jesus, we would never be able to overcome the evil one.

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Application. Since the only ones that can resist being overcome by the evil one are those who have repented of their sins and believed in Jesus, we would do well to be strong in the Lord and abide in his word.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Eph 6:10-13

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4