Sermon Recap: “Defeat in Victory”
Preacher: Pastor Gospel Remi Adeyemi and Minister Damilare Lasisi
Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Bible Text(s): Rom. 1:21-24, 1 Cor. 2:7-8.
Main Points:
This Sunday, Pastor Remi collaborated with his son in the Lord (Min. Damilare Lasisi). They reminded us the danger in winning against the will of God.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Defeat in Victory: Defeat in victory means finding yourself at a loss after experiencing a “pseudo” victory.
- A pseudo victory is a fake feeling of victory. It is a temporary feeling of satisfaction.
- Winning the War of God’s Purpose:
There’s a popular saying by Sun Tzu, the author of the book, “the Art of War”. It is an ancient Chinese military military manual. He said “to win a war, you must lose a battle.”
In this context, to win the war of the purpose of God, we must lose the battle to His will. The will of God is meant to shape us into the purpose of God.
- Scriptural Examples:
- The story of Balaam – The Lord told him at first not to follow the princes of Balak to curse the children of Israel, but because he loves the reward of unrighteousness (2 Pet. 2:15), he went back to God the second time and God permitted him to go. His appetite for gain led him to his own destruction because he went against the will of God and device a counsel against the children of Israel. Though at the initial state, he got what he wanted and felt like a victor, his story ended in defeat because he was killed by the same children of Israel (Num. 31:1-8).
- The story of Lot – God had told Abraham to leave his country, his kindred and his father’s house and embark on the journey of destiny. But Abraham took Lot along (Gen. 12:1-6). The reason for this is so that Lot can through Abraham learn the way of Yahweh and come into purpose. God prospered Lot because of Abraham and this led to argument between their herdsmen. This is because they have both become rich. Abraham persuaded Lot to separate from him and he did, and by choice chose the plain of Jordan because it looked good and well watered and settled in Sodom (Gen. 13). This his decision at the initial stage looked like a victory but it ended in shame because he lost everything he has built on this his decision over the years including his wife. He could only save his own life and that of his daughter, who later drugged him and slept with him.
- The Story of the Cross – This is another story that exemplified this topic. The Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees in conjunction with the Devil himself had thought that they had victory over Jesus (1 Cor. 2:7-8). They boasted and rejoiced in their pseudo victory against Jesus, but at the end of the day, it was short-lived. Their victory ended in defeat, because Jesus triumphed over them by the same cross and rose again.
- The implication:
The implication of this is that, there are battles in life that you must never win. The reason for this is that, at the initial stage, it may feel as if you are having victory, but at the end of all, it will end in defeat. There are three battles you must never win in life:
- Battle against the Will of God
- Battle against your regenerated spirit
- Battle against the Holy Spirit.
If you by chance win these battles, you may have victory but it will end in defeat.
When you follow God, it may seem like a defeat but it will end in victory. But when you follow yourself, your will, your desire, and counsels of men, it may look like a victory but the best color it will bring out at the end is defeat in victory
Reflection Questions:
- Am I currently facing a situation where I am fighting against the will of God?
- What step of obedience is God asking me to take, even if I don’t see the full picture yet that I am having hard time to accept?
Action Point:
You must identify places you are struggling with God and surrender.
Prayer:
“Lord, help me. In all things, let you will be my priority. Amen.”
DEFEAT IN VICTORY