Are All Believers Overcomers?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being an overcomer, a believer who has overcome the challenges and temptations of life and will reign with Christ.
J. Sidlow Baxter preaches about the promise of reigning with Christ on His Messianic throne during His millennial reign, where evil will be subjugated, righteousness and peace will prevail, and war will be no more. The privilege of sitting with Jesus on His throne is reserved for the overcomers, emphasizing the need for believers to strive for victory in their faith journey. Just as there are degrees of punishment in hell, there are degrees of reward in heaven, highlighting the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in overcoming trials and temptations to receive a greater reward.
Text
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne."--Rev. 3:21.
In this promise our Lord is referring, of course, to His Messianic throne and His millennial reign. When He comes again, in power and glory, then will He lift His resistless rod over the nations, and unfurl the banner of world-wide empire. The evil one shall be interned in the bottomless abyss. Evil shall be completely subjugated. Righteousness and peace shall be dispensed to the nations. Christ Jesus shall reign upon the Davidic throne which has been promised and covenanted to Him. A chastened and renewed Israel will send His messengers of enlightenment and peace throughout the earth. Science and invention, scholarship and art, shall all devote themselves to noblest ends. War shall be done away, and the throne of David's greater Son shall be supreme.
It will be wonderful to live under that reign, yet it will be even more wonderful to reign with Him; and this is what Jesus promises. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne." What a promise!
But the promise is to "the overcomer." Are all believers "overcomers"? Let him think twice who would answer a dogmatic "Yes" to this question. The letters to the seven churches, at least, suggested otherwise to an unprejudiced reader. Our standing in Christ is no artificial position of immunity. As there are degrees of punishment [in hell] so there are degrees of reward [in heaven]. One is made ruler over ten cities, another over five. "One star differeth from another star in glory."
Let our eager prayer ever be that we may be among the "overcomers."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Promise to the Overcomer
- A. Refers to the Messianic throne and millennial reign
- B. Evil shall be completely subjugated, and righteousness and peace shall be dispensed
- II. The Condition of the Overcomer
- A. Requires overcoming
- B. Degrees of reward and punishment exist
- III. The Importance of Being an Overcomer
- A. A wonderful experience to reign with Christ
- B. Requires prayer and effort to be among the overcomers
Key Quotes
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne.” — J. Sidlow Baxter
“One is made ruler over ten cities, another over five. 'One star differeth from another star in glory.'” — J. Sidlow Baxter
“Let our eager prayer ever be that we may be among the 'overcomers.'” — J. Sidlow Baxter
Application Points
- Pray that you may be among the overcomers and have a strong standing in Christ.
- Seek to live a life that overcomes the challenges and temptations of life.
- Recognize that there are degrees of reward and punishment in heaven and strive to be a ruler over many cities.