Three Signs of an Overcomer 1. Believes • True overcoming faith believes that Jesus is the divine Word of God who became human. 2. Belongs • One who believes in the saving grace of Jesus Christ becomes a child of God through rebirth. They are born again (John 3:16) and now belong to the global family of God. God is our Father, Jesus our older brother, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide. All believers are siblings; part of the same spiritual family. 3. Behaves • One who believes in Jesus as God’s Son, belongs to the family of God and is empowered by the Holy Spirit to keep the Father’s command to love God and your neighbor. • Believe, belonging, and behavior are inclusive, not exclusive. They are as interwoven and bound together as the Holy Trinity. None of the three are optional for God’s child. • Those who believe have overcome the world because their life, love, and identity are not determined by the the world, but by the object of their faith – Jesus as God’s Son who was crucified and raised. Three Witnesses 1. Water • In birth – Luke 2:11 “The Messiah has been born…” • In baptism – Matthew 3:17 “This is My Son…” 2. Blood • Crucifixion – Mark 15:34 “My God, why have you forsaken me?” • Luke 23:46 “Father, into your hands…” • Centurion Confession – Matthew 27:34 “Surely this was the Son of God…” 3. Holy Spirit • Spirit of Truth – John 14:17; 16:13 • Advocate, Counselor, Encourager, Teacher, Comforter – John 15:26 Jesus shared our whole human experience of living and dying while He remained God’s Son. Jesus was born, baptized, and crucified to empower all of us to become God’s children, cleansed by His blood (1 John 1:7). This is not some inessential doctrinal point. John insists that this is the heart of our faith. The Church triumphs over false teaching, not by force or argument, but because of and through the suffering love of the crucified Messiah. This is the truth the Holy Spirit teaches: God’s son was tortured and broken for us. This is the faith that overcomes the world: God’s love brings life even out of brokenness and death. This is the victory to which we are called: Love God’s children, and thus live our faith in the crucified, risen Son of God. Weekly Questions: 1. How does this truth of Jesus change you? 2. Have you believed in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

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