{"id":855,"date":"2024-02-21T23:09:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T23:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=855"},"modified":"2025-12-15T21:00:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T21:00:31","slug":"victory-in-jesus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/victory-in-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"VICTORY IN JESUS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>VICTORY IN JESUS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Romans 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good morning! I hope you\u2019ve all had a great week and had a wonderful <strong>New Year\u2019s Day<\/strong>! It\u2019s great to see you all this morning \u2014 for our first Sunday of this new year!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain texts of the Bible are so familiar to us (as followers of Jesus) that they almost require no introduction.\u00a0They are the texts we typically first learn or certainly hear about early on in our walk of faith. These are those texts that we know, and we love. And their words come to be etched on our hearts as well as in our minds.\u00a0They are what we might call the \u201cGreat Texts\u201d of the Bible.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>John 3:16<\/strong> certainly falls into that category,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As does <strong>Psalm 23<\/strong> and <strong>Acts 1.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But along with these would certainly be the text that I\u2019ve chosen for us to look at today. Its found in <strong>Romans chapter 8.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the message I want to share with you this morning is one that\u2019s vital to our faith. Last week I told you that my heart for our church was to really get to know God in 2018. And this text helps us do just that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It isn\u2019t really as heavy as some texts mights be\u2014 but it is deeply spiritual and equally as encouraging. In fact, at it\u2019s core, this text is what you might consider the very <strong>HEART OF GOD<\/strong>! Because, what I want to share with you this morning is rooted in <strong>GOD\u2019S AMAZING GRACE<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, if you\u2019ve got your <strong>Bible<\/strong>, would you turn there with me? Turn to <strong>Romans chapter 8.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#500f88\">When Lori and I first began in ministry, we lived in <strong>Pittsburgh, PA<\/strong>. <strong>Lori<\/strong> was born just north of <strong>Pittsburgh<\/strong> and raised across the state line in <strong>Youngstown, OH. <\/strong>She attended a great church and had a wonderful pastor named <strong>Pastor Jay Alford<\/strong>. I remember him preaching on this passage \u2014 and he referred to it as the \u201c<em>Victory Chapter\u201d.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s what this is \u2014 its a chapter all about our<strong> victory in Jesus<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Someone once asked <strong>General Douglas MacArthur<\/strong> what is the most important lesson a soldier fighting a war needs to learn? And <strong>MacArthur<\/strong> replied, <strong>&#8221;He must learn quickly that <\/strong><strong>there is no substitute for victory<\/strong><strong>.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">It was the great <strong>French<\/strong> <strong>Emperor<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>Napoleon<\/strong> <strong>Bonaparte<\/strong> who said, <strong>\u201cVictory belongs to the most persevering.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And, both of these battle tested warriors were right. There is no substitute for victory, and victory belongs to the most persevering.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet, as believers in <strong>Jesus<\/strong>, we must understand that <strong>our victory<\/strong> isn\u2019t found in our power or intellect or our strategic efforts \u2014 rather, <strong>our victory is found solely<\/strong> in power, presence, and promise of <strong>Jesus (and His work in us)<\/strong>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Romans 8<\/strong>, we read about this victory afforded to us through <strong>Jesus<\/strong> as Paul writes some of the most encouraging and empowering words ever penned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginning in<strong> verse 1 <\/strong>\u2014 he writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201c<\/em><em>Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, <\/em><strong><em>2&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. <\/em><strong><em>3&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, <\/em><strong><em>4&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>5&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. <\/em><strong><em>6&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. <\/em><strong><em>7&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God\u2019s law, nor can it do so. <\/em><strong><em>8&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>9&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. <\/em><strong><em>10&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. <\/em><strong><em>11&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 8:1-11 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The primary theme or big idea of this chapter is that it\u2019s never too late \u2014 never too late to trust <strong>God<\/strong>, to find forgiveness, to move past your failures and your struggles. <strong>Paul<\/strong> tells us that its never too late to life for <strong>Christ<\/strong> or experience His grace and here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>We find our victory in Jesus because &#8212;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. THROUGH JESUS\u2019 PARDON OUR PAST IS ERASED!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we are honest with ourselves today \u2014 I\u2019m sure there are things that we\u2019ve thought, or said, or done that we would love to forget. There are certain to be things in each of our lives that when we think back on them, our minds are filled with shame and sadness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I\u2019m sure there are things we\u2019d like to <strong>forget<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I\u2019m sure there are things we\u2019d like to <strong>have edited<\/strong> <strong>out of our stories.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I\u2019m sure there are things we\u2019d like to <strong>bury and never have to think about again<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, I\u2019ve got good news for you today! According to <strong>Romans<\/strong>, because of <strong>Jesus\u2019<\/strong> sacrificial work on the <strong>cross<\/strong> (his sacrificial at of love) \u2014 if you\u2019ve asked <strong>Christ<\/strong> to forgive you of your sin and enter into your life, then you have been completely forgiven. You\u2019ve been pardoned of all sin.\u00a0And the added benefit, according to <strong>Paul<\/strong>, is that your past has been <strong>ERASED<\/strong>.\u00a0Some have wondered if it\u2019s really possible for people to change \u2014 and the answer is yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only can we change \u2014 but through <strong>Christ<\/strong> we are <strong>changed<\/strong>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen again to the words of <strong>verse 1<\/strong>. In reference to ever bad decision and sinful act you\u2019ve ever committed, <strong>Paul<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cTherefore, there is now no condemnation <\/em><em>for those who are in Christ Jesus<\/em><em>.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 8:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Let me talk for a moment about what it means to be pardoned.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word <strong>PARDON<\/strong> comes from two words meaning <em>\u201cto be given much\u201d<\/em> \u2014 or <em>\u201cto give to again and again\u201d<\/em>. In reference to <strong>Paul\u2019s<\/strong> writing in this chapter, he acknowledges that in <strong>Christ<\/strong> we are given grace by <strong>God<\/strong>&#8230;again and again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul<\/strong> points out that <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> grace is endless \u2014 and so, He gives us His grace freely and without measure. Because of this, there is now no condemnation in our lives. There is not past attached to those of us in <strong>Christ<\/strong>. We have nothing to be ashamed of and nothing that should weigh us down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because we\u2019ve been set free, and <strong>forgiven.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of <strong>Jesus\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>pardon<\/strong> \u2014 our past has been erased!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Did you know . . .&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; The number one cause of hopelessness is&#8230; (<strong>Guilt of our past<\/strong>)&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; And, the more guilt you carry, the more&#8230;(<strong>Hopeless<\/strong>)&#8230;you become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But for those of us who have experience<strong> Christ\u2019s salvation\u2014<\/strong>we have been set free from such<strong> guilt and despair<\/strong>. And since our <strong>shame has been removed\u20142018 <\/strong>ought to bring us<strong> great hope!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul reassures us that in Christ we find TRUE victory because, through Christ\u2019s pardon of our sin \u2014 our past is erased. We\u2019ve been set free!<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he adds that it\u2019s never too late, because . . .&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. THROUGH JESUS\u2019 POWER OUR PRESENT IS IN HIS HANDS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this great chapter, <strong>Paul<\/strong> is reminding us that through the work and <strong>power<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>Jesus<\/strong> \u2014 our lives (especially our present moments) are in His hands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He\u2019s got you <\/strong>\u2014 and you can trust in His care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>14&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. <\/em><strong><em>15&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, \u201cAbba, Father.\u201d <\/em><strong><em>16&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God\u2019s children. <\/em><strong><em>17&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>Now if we are children, then we are heirs\u2014heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. <\/em><strong><em>18&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 8:14-18 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Listen again, Paul says \u2014 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>18\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul<\/strong> is reminding us that even when things look big, bad, and overwhelming \u2014 even still, we can trust in <strong>God<\/strong>, because He has all things in His hands \u2014 <em>especially you!<\/em> So, no matter what comes your way in the year to come \u2014 <strong>God has you in His hands.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many years ago <strong>J. B. Phillips<\/strong> wrote a classic book he titled, <strong>Your God Is Too Small.<\/strong> That was a case where the title told the whole story.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of us have a problem because <strong>our God is too small.<\/strong> But if you ever understand that <strong>God<\/strong> is <strong>sovereignly<\/strong> and divinely over all things \u2014 He\u2019s over everything including your life, then you\u2019ll <strong>never have a small God again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; When you feel hopeless and life seems to be <strong>out of control <\/strong>\u2014 <strong>TRUST IN JESUS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; When you feel hopeless and there are things you can\u2019t fix or change \u2014 <strong>TRUST IN JESUS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul would write in Colossians 1:16-17,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cFor by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FOR HE IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS <\/strong>\u2014 including your <strong>PAST, PRESENT, &amp; FUTURE.<\/strong> And in this case, you can trust <strong>Him<\/strong> to hold you and your present in the palm of His <strong>hands<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul\u2019s<\/strong> interest in writing this chapter was to encourage <strong>the people of His day <\/strong>\u2014 as well as <strong>you and me<\/strong> that surely the <strong>Christ<\/strong> whose hands have shaped the universe and summoned the galaxy of stars into being is <strong>capable of holding us<\/strong> when times are uncertain and hardships befall us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The writer of <strong>Hebrews<\/strong> would add in <strong>Hebrews 1:10<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hebrews 1:10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Paul reassures us that in Christ we find TRUE victory because, through Christ\u2019s power \u2014 our present is in His hands! We can rest at peace in Him!<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he adds a third matter that reassures us of our victor in Christ, and it\u2019s this . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. THROUGH JESUS\u2019 PROMISE OUR FUTURE IS SETTLED!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look down a little farther in this chapter. As Paul is preparing to shift gears and move into a new section of thought, he first speaks to the promise of Christ regarding our future. And in reference to the victory that we have already begun to experience through our past being erased and our present being established in Christ\u2019s great care, Paul now testifies to the fact that our future is settled!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We never have to wonder about Christ\u2019s love, His care, or His interest in us in the days to come because, as Paul states in <strong>verses 38-39<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cFor I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, every word of these verses is precious, but I want to call your attention to the<strong> first four words<\/strong><strong>:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>\u201cFor I am convinced.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These four words speak of <strong>Paul\u2019s<\/strong> personal conviction. And his own experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here the heart of the great apostle is fully revealed. There are times in life when what is needed is logical argument \u2026 and other times when what is needed is personal testimony.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word means to be \u201cfully and absolutely persuaded on the basis of evidence that cannot be denied.\u201d In the Greek he uses a perfect tense. That means something like \u201cI was persuaded in the past and I am fully persuaded in the present.\u201d \u201cI used to believe this and I still believe it today.\u201d Nothing has changed. \u201cI have been convinced and I am still convinced today.\u201d When Paul says he is persuaded, he speaks as a man who has staked his life upon certain unchanging realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I was sure about this yesterday.\u201d &#8220;I am totally convinced today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;By the grace of God I will be even more certain tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; Nothing will ever make God stop&#8230; (loving)&#8230; us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; Nothing will ever make God&#8230; (Abandon)&#8230; us. (See I Timothy 1:12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212; Nothing will ever make God&#8230; (Forget)&#8230; His promises to us.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong>Paul<\/strong> put it, <em>\u201cI am persuaded.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was completely convinced of God\u2019s promise to never stop loving Him, to never leave Him, to never forget Him. He was convinced of this. And so am I.\u00a0<strong>The question is \u2014 are you? <\/strong>Are you convinced of this?Because if you are it will affect the way you live in <strong>2018<\/strong>. And if you aren\u2019t then it will also affect the way you live in the year to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how should we respond to this message from <strong>Paul<\/strong> about our <strong>victory<\/strong> found in <strong>Jesus<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, we need to remember that things in this world are not always as they seem. Just as this passage reminds us \u2014 <strong>our past is erased, our present is in control, and our future is settled.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, we fail to realize the fact that <strong>in Christ <\/strong>we possess the <strong>ultimate<\/strong> <strong>victory<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#49085c\">Recently I read again the historical account of one of the most important battles in <strong>England\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>history<\/strong>. It took place in <strong>June of 1815<\/strong>. And it relates to the story of this chapter in <strong>Romans<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#49085c\">According to the story, on the evening of <strong>June 18, 1815 <\/strong>a man stood in the tower of <strong>England\u2019s Winchester Cathedral <\/strong>gazing anxiously out to sea.\u00a0At last he found what he was looking for \u2013 <strong>a ship sending a signal by use of lights.<\/strong> As he strained to see the message \u2014 all of England held its breath.\u00a0Everyone wanted to know the outcome of the <strong>war<\/strong> between their military leader, the<strong> Duke of Wellington<\/strong>, and their enemy\u2019s lead, the French Emperor <strong>Napoleon Bonaparte<\/strong>.\u00a0Bonaparte, who had once ruled <strong>all of Europe<\/strong> except for <strong>England<\/strong> remained a great threat to the people. And at that time the decisive <strong>Battle of Waterloo <\/strong>was being fought.So, as this young man stood peering out of the <strong>tower of Winchester Cathedral <\/strong>\u2014 he waited to relay the news that would ultimately determine <strong>England\u2019s<\/strong> future.\u00a0Well, the signal arrived \u2014 just as a heavy fog was rolling in. It seemed that it just got through, but the news wasn\u2019t good. The signal simply read: <strong>\u201cWellington defeated\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#49085c\">The man reluctantly singled to other stations and the news quickly spread across the countryside. And with it, came great despair and sadness. But then \u2014 something unexpected happened, and as the fog lifted, the message was resent (this time in its completed form).\u00a0This time the message read: <strong>\u201cWellington defeated the enemy\u201d<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#49085c\">What initially was only a part of the story now came in full view. And with it, came utter joy, happiness, and hope restored.\u00a0Wellington hadn\u2019t lost \u2014 he had won! Victory was his!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen, on <strong>Good Friday<\/strong> it seemed the message was <strong>\u201cChrist defeated\u201d<\/strong>, but just three days later we discover that the message hadn\u2019t been fully received.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because the resurrection of <strong>Jesus<\/strong> <strong>reversed<\/strong> <strong>the<\/strong> <strong>despair<\/strong> \u2014 as it revived hope within us again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what <strong>Paul<\/strong> is writing about in<strong> Romans 8<\/strong>. He is reminding us that <strong>Christ<\/strong> has defeated the enemy of our lives \u2014 so we too are partakers in <strong>His VICTORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My hope is that you will find hope in these words and these great promises, and that you will abandon the temptation to live in doubt and fear. And as you walk forward into this great year before you \u2014 that you will be <strong>free of your past<\/strong>, <strong>settled in your present<\/strong>, and <strong>hopeful in your future<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you choose to live each day \u2014 grounded in hope, it will change your life and those around you! I\u2019ve heard it said, <strong>\u201cHope is contagious!\u201d<\/strong> And so it is! May you stand in faith trusting in <strong>CHRIST <\/strong>and may you experience courage in the promise of <strong>His victory<\/strong> each and every day in 2018! <strong>Amen? Amen!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we close this morning, I want to pray for you. If you are fearful about what may lie before you in the year to come \u2014 <strong>take courage and don\u2019t be afraid.<\/strong> <strong>Christ<\/strong> is with you and you have been assured to partake in <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>victory<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if you\u2019ve <strong>not yet surrendered<\/strong> your life to <strong>Jesus<\/strong>, I urge you to do so today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Heavenly Father, today we close our time together by saying thanks!\u00a0Thank you for erasing our past, assuring us of your care for our present, and for the promise of settling our future. While others may be wrapped up in guilt and hopelessness or fear and despair\u2014 this year we will proclaim your goodness and your grace! Thank you for your love and the victory you share with us as we walk in faith with you.\u00a0Bless us this day and everyday in the year to come we pray. In Jesus name, amen!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VICTORY IN JESUS! Romans 8 Good morning! I hope you\u2019ve all had a great week and had a wonderful New Year\u2019s Day! It\u2019s great to &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-855","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=855"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2692,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/855\/revisions\/2692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}